In-service & Continuous Professional Development Specialist

Introduction

Creative Associates International is a dynamic and fast-growing professional service firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 plus countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Summary

The Technical Assistance Program (TAP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a five-year education and youth program that seeks to transform the organizational culture and improve the abilities within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth to ensure officials can implement desired reforms. Creative and its partners will provide technical assistance in the development, roll-out, and tracking of policies and procedures to incorporate international best practices for public education and youth programming. Among the many activities in the Jordan Technical Assistance Program, it will support curriculum development, promote inclusive learning techniques, improve the skills of teachers and school managers, and other tangible activities that ultimately support changing the organizational culture within the two ministries and relevant agencies. The program will further support Jordan’s outreach and behavioral change communications initiatives that are aimed at creating a culture of reading, the inclusion of vulnerable children, and increased youth engagement.**

Background

Based on the recent situational assessments for the Ministry of Education and subsequent processing of those findings with stakeholders, TAP’s top priorities are strengthening HR management systems and completing the in-service professional development.

TAP will support MOE in reviewing and finalizing all related professional development policies, completing MOE staff standards, and updating the current teachers’ training programs, ensuring the high quality of professional development outcomes that will affect the teaching results.

Position Summary:

TAP is seeking applicants for a one-year embedded In-service & Continuous Professional Development Specialist with the possibility of extension, expecting to start as soon as possible. The position will be based in the Training Educational and supervision Management at Ministry of Education.**

This position will administratively and technically report to TAP’s Human Resources Lead and part of TAP’s Systems Strengthening and Policy Reform Team.

Position Responsibilities:

Providing technical assistance and embedded support to finalize all related policies related to in-service professional development:

1. Support the ministry ETC staff in reviewing the teacher policies:

a. Service provider accreditation system.

b. QA professional development system.

c. Training programs management system.

d. Multilateral assessment.

1. Support ETC in developing standards for Educational Specialists (Curriculum, Examination, Trainers, Supervisors) and administrative staff (Human Resource, Accountants, Lawyers, Engineers, IT, Secretarial, Communication staff).

a. Gather and analyze information about job families in the ministry for generating competencies.

b. Support TAP team in conducting workshop/s for panels on developing standard competencies for the jobs and levels identified

c. Identify and verify the essential, common, and core competencies for the levels of the job family groups.

1. Support ETC in Building (CPD) Continuous Professional Development curriculum for Educational Specialists (Curriculum, Examination, Trainers, Supervisors) and administrative staff (Human Resource, Accountants, Lawyers. Engineers, IT, Secretarial, Communication staff).

2. Support TAP team in updating the current training programs for teachers and printing preparation

3. Support TAP and its partners liaison with MOE -ETC and ensure complementarity of efforts with other stakeholders and donors supporting MoE.

4. Facilitate consultations, meetings, and reporting among MoE- ETC, and TAP.

5. Brief TAP and provide regular updates.

Key Working Relationships:

· This position will report to the Head of Training Educational and supervision Management at the Ministry of Education.

· This position will coordinate with the Institutional development & Automation Advisor and part of TAP’s Systems Strengthening and Policy Reform Team.

· This position will coordinate with the capacity building specialist part of TAP’s Capacity Building team.

Required Qualifications:

· Master’s degree in human resources is preferable.

• Bachelor’s Degree in in Human Resources Management, Curriculum Development or Competency based curriculum Development.

· Must have at least five (5) years of demonstrated experience in in the field of Competencies development.

· Practical experience of development of Professional Development Curriculum

· Knowledge of existing standards / technical regulations is in Education and Administration

· Ability to collect relevant information of standards

· Knowledge of the Jordan development context, challenges, and opportunities.

· Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders within the government and the donor community.

· Excellent research and report writing skills are a must.

· Proficiency with relevant computer software programs, especially with a firm understanding of Word, Excel, and related systems and applications.

· Written and verbal communication and presentation skills

· Proficiency in both Arabic and English languages.

· Ability to work with committees and individuals.

· Ability to develop standards development plan.

Please note only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please.