Save the Children is seeking an Education Program Manager for an anticipated three to five-year USDA-funded program in Sri Lanka. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole) feeds schoolchildren, reduces hunger, enhances food security, and improves literacy (especially for girls) in low-income, food-deficit countries around the world. By providing school meals, teacher training, and related education and nutrition support, McGovern-Dole helps boost school enrollment, attendance, and literacy results. McGovern-Dole also provides support to maternal and child nutrition (MCN).
The Education Program Manager is a key position, responsible for leading the implementation of program activities to improve literacy of school-age children. S/he will focus on the “5 Ts” of learning: texts; tongue; testing; teachers; and time. S/he will work with the Ministry of Education to ensure close coordination and alignment with the Government of Sri Lanka’s education objectives.
- Provide technical management of all education activities
- Contribute to the development and direction of the project strategy to improve literacy of school aged children; oversee and prepare relevant project deliverables as required
- Align activities with evidence-based approaches and best practices in reading instruction, and support complementary activities taking place at the school level
- Develop a holistic approach to ensure disadvantaged children are physically, nutritionally, and cognitively fit to succeed in school, including encouraging community engagement
- Improve teacher effectiveness by providing continuous support and coaching.
- Incorporate the “5 Ts” (texts, tongue, testing, teachers, and time) into the literacy programs as appropriate and applicable.
- Coordinate closely with national and decentralized education institutions and local partners
- Provide technical management of teacher training and coaching support
- Oversee project staff in line with the project work plan
- Significant experience working with similar USDA or USAID or other donor-funded programs; familiarity with school feeding programs preferred
- Experience in teacher training, support and supervision
- Experience developing and ensuring the effective use of teaching and learning materials
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English