Curriculum Development Specialist Full-Time

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 15 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Project Summary:

Creative Associates is implementing a prospective five-year, USDA-funded program under the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program with the aim of reducing hunger and improving literacy and primary education, especially for girls, in the target province of Maputo, Mozambique. The project’s principal approach is to provide children with enabling classrooms that have high functioning teachers and quality learning materials, as well as nutritious daily school meals, to improve children’s overall literacy acquisition.

Position Summary:

The Curriculum Development Specialist will be responsible for leading a strategic approach in the development and implementation of a gender responsive, core literacy package in the target schools in the Maputo region of Mozambique. A key aspect of this role will include working with subject matter experts, senior management, and national/regional government officials to develop and/or update comprehensive bilingual literacy materials. The Curriculum Development Specialist will also work closely with teacher training specialists to ensure that all teacher training materials are aligned with the finalized literacy curriculum materials. Overall, the Curriculum Development Specialist is responsible for curriculum planning, organization, preparation, as well as revision and validation of all literacy curriculum materials.

Reporting and Supervision:

The Curriculum Development Specialist will report to the Chief of Party (COP).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Analyze competencies required in the Mozambique Ministry of Education and Human Development (MINEDH) curriculum and ensure that there is correspondence of Grade 1-2 scopes and sequences for Changana and Ronga;
• Coordinate the identification of already developed student lessons/student textbooks, teacher guides for Grades 1-2, decodable and leveled fiction and non-fiction readers, and other supplementary materials;
• Assist in Gap Analysis of existing teacher training materials to ensure that the guides are streamlined, easy to understand and address skills and techniques teachers struggle with and is useable by teachers;
• Lead the development of student lessons/student textbooks, teacher guides for Grades 1-2, decodable and leveled fiction and non-fiction readers, and supplementary materials, where appropriate;
• With the capacity building staff, work with MINEDH to validate any new materials developed and ensure all materials can be produced at scale at a price that could be borne by the MINEDH in the future;
• Ensure that all materials used and developed by the program are gender responsive, incorporate universal design, and are founded in evidence-based instructional practices;
• Liaise with government representatives and technicians on technical matters and work to ensure that children in schools achieve improved outcomes in reading local languages; and
• Work closely with the Senior Reading Specialist to develop a working relationship with the MINEDH.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, preferably with a specialty in early grade reading; Ph.D. in education with a focus on early childhood education and/or early grade learning preferred;
• At least eight (8) years of experience in programs that work specifically to improve reading is required;
  Experience with the development of reading materials, training programs, classroom monitoring protocols, and tests and assessments, including Early Grade Reading Assessment;
• Experience with supporting civil society-based monitoring of reading outcomes;
• Professional proficiency and fluency in written and spoken English and Portuguese; and
• Fluency in written Changana and Rhonga is highly desired.

Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.