Literacy Advisor Full-Time

Job Description

Mott MacDonald, trading as Cambridge Education, is seeking applicants for the consultancy role of Literacy Advisor, to support the anticipated third phase of a 4-year USDA-funded McGovern-Dole Food for Knowledge literacy program in Maputo Province, Mozambique.  The primary purpose of the Food for Knowledge program is to support student learning achievement through holistic, integrated programming across the areas of literacy, nutrition and school feeding, agriculture, and sanitation.  The literacy program focuses on mother tongue language instruction in the Changana and Rhonga languages, using the 5 components of reading and active, participatory teaching methods. Cambridge Education has been involved in the successful implementation of the current (2016-2020) 5-year Food for Knowledge program in Maputo, including the production of a vast suite of teaching and learning materials, and anticipates leveraging existing successes and lessons learned to continue the project efforts.

The Literacy Advisor will be responsible for providing technical advice to the implementing partner based in Mozambique, which employs a team of full-time literacy program staff.  S/he will advise on the development of teaching and learning materials, including teachers’ guides; participate in the co-design and co-delivery of trainings to teachers, national teacher trainers, and school leadership; provide guidance and assistance in the use of continuous monitoring and assessment strategies, including tools to assess both teacher and student performance; conduct field-based classroom observations, and other tasks as appropriate.  S/he will be responsible for developing a strong, collaborative relationship with the local implementing partner to ensure that the quality of all literacy materials and trainings is to the highest standard.

• An advisor based in Africa – particularly Southern Africa –is strongly preferred for this position.
• The Literacy Advisor must be willing to travel and work in Mozambique up to 15-20 weeks per year.
• The total level of effort of this position is negotiable according to the candidate’s preference and availability – 150 days per year is preferred.
• The anticipated duration of this role is for 3-4 years starting from October 2020

Candidate Specification

• Language Requirements:
  • Proficiency in a Bantu language (e.g. Tsonga) is strongly preferred, but not required.
  • If the candidate does not speak Portuguese, s/he should be willing to learn.
  • Working proficiency in English is also required.
• A Master’s Degree in education or a related field is required, with a specialty in early grade reading or another pedagogically-oriented field preferred.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in education, international development, or a related field is required.
• Experience in evidence-based early grade reading programming, mother tongue language instruction, or related educational experience is highly desired.
• Prior experience working in sub-Saharan Africa is highly desired and prior experience in Southern or Eastern Africa or Mozambique is preferred.

Job Profile

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate, and take positive steps to create an inclusive culture.