School Leadership and Engagement Specialist

Chemonics International Inc, a U.S. based international development consulting firm, seeks the following long-term positions for the USAID Next Generation Early Grade Reading Activity (NextGen) in Malawi. The $75 million activity aims to solidify and build on the contributions made to date as part of the implementation of Malawi’s National Reading Program (NRP) towards improving the delivery of high-quality early primary reading instruction in all Malawian primary schools. At the conclusion of the NextGen activity, all levels of the Malawi
Ministry of Education (MoE) will be self-sufficient in providing high-quality reading instruction in Chichewa and English to all Grade 1 and 2 students. We are seeking individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Application Instructions
To apply for any of the below positions, please submit a CV and application through this link (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1cfc231772ca4cfca4bbac0d1e87ba24).

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. This application will close on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

We are currently seeking qualified professionals for the following position to be based out of Lilongwe, Malawi.

The School Leadership and Engagement Specialist will help design the activity’s approach to develop a cadre of well-trained school administrators and teaching personnel that will use well researched methodologies for effective teaching of reading in the early grades (Standards 1 and 2). S/he will help design and implement interventions to create an empowered and knowledgeable school-level staff (headteachers, section heads, teachers, and classroom aides) who will be able to implement the national reading program with fidelity.

Responsibilities include

• Provide technical assistance for activities focused on strengthening the capacity and engagement of school
  leaders in providing instructional leadership to ensure quality delivery of early grade reading services and in coaching, leading teacher learning circles, and supporting teachers to deliver effective early grade reading instruction in Standards 1 and 2.
• Provide technical assistance to support the adoption and institutionalization of a process to develop and use annual school profiles for each school that summarize the reading outcomes of Standard 1 and 2 children; promote the use of this data to improve instructional leadership and classroom instruction.
• Assist in the development of frameworks and methods for capturing data (quantitative and qualitative) relating to improvements in school leadership and engagement.
• Leverage project Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning data to inform adjustments in the project’s technical approach and ensure continued dialogue and improvement with stakeholders in building school leadership and engagement.
• Define the learning focus or research agenda on sustainability with respect to instructional leadership of
  head teachers.
• Engage with Communications team to share and amplify success stories about the project’s work on school
  leadership and engagement.
• Coordinate with other donor-funded initiatives working on strengthening school leadership and engagement in Malawi to ensure that the activity does not have conflicting technical interventions at the regional and school levels.
• Assist the Chief of Party in planning and coordinating short-term technical assistance to support the project’s school leadership building objectives.
• Provide technical support to the implementation of activities in close collaboration with the activity’s deputy
  chiefs of party.
• Develop, compile and submit weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports as requested by the DCOPs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in the technical direction of programs that work to improve early grade reading
• Prior experience with the development of interventions, professional development resources and/or training
  materials for head teachers to improve their ability to lead the delivery of education services and to engage with the community.
• Familiarity with, and comprehension of, core concepts in early grade reading education.
• Proven experience building relationships and facilitating learning about how to improve project work preferred
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• Written and spoken proficiency in English and Chichewa.