Play-based Primary Education Advisor (independent contractor role)

About Right to Play

Right To Play is a global organization committed to improving the lives of children and youth affected by conflict, disease, and poverty. Established in 2000, Right To Play has pioneered a unique play-based approach to learning and development which focuses on quality education, life skills, health, gender equality, child protection and building peaceful communities. With programming in 16 countries, Right To Play transforms the lives of more than 2.3 million children each year, both inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to our work with children, Right To Play advocates with parents, local communities, and governments to advance the fundamental rights of all children.

Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and in London, UK and has operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Our programs are facilitated by more than 600 international staff and 31,900 local teachers and coaches. For more information, follow @RightToPlayIntl and visit www.righttoplay.com.

Since as early as 2006, Right To Play has delivered play-based programming to improve access, quality and systems for early childhood care and education. Programs operate in both development and humanitarian settings, in formal pre-primary/kindergarten settings, community-based centers and homes across many of its operating countries. Activities have focused mainly on training of pre-primary teachers, school leadership, higher education tutors and government officials, as well as on providing technical assistance to education ministry partners for the integration of play-based learning into early learning policy, national curriculum frameworks, training plans and teacher subject guides.

Job background

Sierra Leone´s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has recently approved a new education policy that commits to improving quality, access and equity within the education sector. Play-based learning has been recognized by the MBSSE as one critical type of learner-centered pedagogy, which is at the heart of the education reform.

Since November 2021, Right To Play and BRAC USA are collaborating on a technical assistance project to support Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) to provide high-quality, play-based early childhood development and primary education to children aged 3 -12. Right To Play will work at the primary level, whereas BRAC USA will focus on early childhood development services. Together, we will ensure there is a smooth transition from ECE to primary school. The project is currently at inception phase, and will extend up to March 2023.

Right To Play does not have an office in Sierra Leone, and we are therefore looking for an independent contractor that can work with us as Play-based Primary Education Advisor. The person will ideally be embedded into the MBSSE and will represent Right To Play and coordinate with key local stakeholders, including Ministry officials, NGO representatives within the technical working group, and BRAC USA staff members based in Sierra Leone.

Job summary

The successful applicant should be a national of Sierra Leone, locally based and an education expert. She/he should be able to work as independent contractor for the duration of the contracting term. The incumbent will be an instrumental figure to support the coordination between Right To Play and key staff and partners of the MBSSE. He/she will be expected to take a leading role coordinating project activities at the primary level, support the development of strong partnerships across Early Childhood and Primary basic education departments, local universities, as well as to represent Right To Play in meetings as needed. The incumbent will be expected to advise Right To Play on local political, education and cultural matters as needed for the successful implementation of the project.

The main responsibilities include:

Relationship building

• Map key partnerships and relationships within and external to the MBSSE.

• Develop a political economy analysis that will inform a solid implementation plan.

• Support collaboration across Early Childhood and Primary basic education ministerial departments.

• Support the development of strong partnerships with local universities.

Coordination & representation

• Coordinate with key MBSSE staff and other local stakeholders and participate in meetings as necessary representing Right To Play.

• Coordinate as necessary on the implementation plan with local BRAC staff members.

• Facilitate consultative workshops with MBSSE and NGO partner staff.

Advice

• Review the project implementation plan and advise Right To Play as necessary to enhance the delivery of the proposed activities, including on the local education context.

• Deeply understand MBSSE and its priorities and integrate them within all the scope of work.

The successful applicant will work closely with Right To Play’s Global Lead, Technical Assistance, who oversees the successful implementation of the technical assistance project, as well as with a multi-sectoral team of program specialists at Right to Play headquarters including education, training and capacity building, gender equality, and child protection specialists. Finally, the successful applicant will also work closely with BRAC colleagues based in the MBSSE and in the BRAC Sierra Leone office.

The responsibilities provided in this job description are not exhaustive and may be reviewed/revised from time to time by RTP to enhance achievement of the organization mission.**

Location of Work

The candidate should be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and will be expected to travel frequently to other districts (up to 30%).

Timeline

This position will begin immediately up to March 2023.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s Degree in Education, Development Studies, or similar areas is strongly preferred.

• At least 10 years’ experience working for I/NGOs or with government ministries of education, with experience in West Africa and Sierra Leone strongly preferred.

• Strong leadership experience in at least two of the following areas related to education: policy development, advocacy, teacher training and/or curriculum and pedagogical material development.

• Experience in a supervisory role of at least 5 years, preferred.

• Experience teaching primary education, preferred.

• Experience of managing relationship with senior MoE officials.

Other skills and competencies

• Knowledge of the education system in Sierra Leone.

• Understanding of and commitment to learning through play methodologies.

• Ability to mobilize and influence different audiences and communities.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.

• Project management skills, including coordination and facilitation.

• Excellent written and oral English language.

• Personal commitment, drive for results, efficiency, and flexibility.