Save the Children is seeking a Senior Reading Specialist for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded (Shekhar Jonno Pori ("Read to Learn") Program. The program will provide direct technical assistance to the Government of Bangladesh and its sector-wide Fourth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP4), as well as to schools and teachers. The activities will train teachers, procure and disseminate reading materials, and foster partnerships between schools and families to enhance opportunities for children to read outside of school and in the home. The Senior Reading Specialist will lead the implementation of program activities with strong technical management of all early grade reading instruction, assessment, training, coaching, and materials development activities, in schools and communities.
This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.
- Provide overall technical oversight and guidance to the program on learning and reading instruction
- Introduce best practices in literacy, material development and reading instruction strategies to ensure effective dissemination and of use of these with responsible government and partner entities to sustain long-term results for children.
- Contribute to the development of the project’s overall strategy; manage partners and prepare relevant project deliverables as outlined by the contract.
- Supervise the production of all program-supported reading materials, curriculum development, training documents, coaching materials, and assessment efforts
- Provide technical management of teacher training and coaching support as it relates to early grade reading instruction and assessment
- Provide technical management of community reading activities aimed at improving student reading outcomes.
- Ensure complementarity of activity approaches to improving early grade reading
- Liaise between government representatives at various levels on technical matters
- Collaborate with other senior specialists to achieve expected results
- Familiarity with USAID tools and methodologies to improve education outcomes preferred
- At least five years of experience in programs that work specifically to improve early grade reading in low-income countries
- Experience developing early grade reading materials, training programs, classroom monitoring protocols, and tests and assessments, including the Early Grade Reading Assessment
- Demonstrated ability to work with host government and partners in implementing a complex project in the field under challenging circumstances;
- Strong understanding of the development and education issues in Bangladesh
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in Bengali desired