Education Specialist at Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative (GESCI)

The Position:

The Education Specialist will lead GESCI’s education and ICT integration in education portfolio for all GESCI programmes and projects and working collaboratively with management and programme teams will advance the implementation of GESCI’s Strategy. The GESCI programmes are multi-faceted and implemented across a number of countries with different country/field teams involved in the implementation of its ICT in Education programmes. The Education Specialist will provide pedagogical leadership and oversight in the GESCI thematic focus areas of:

• whole school improvement and ICT integration
• teacher professional development and ICT competencies
• ICTs for 21st century learning with a focus on STEM subjects
• Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) and digital skills and youth entrepreneurship;
• leadership development to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• ICT-enabled education for children and youth in crisis environments
• scaling up learning opportunities in community-based settings.

The successful candidate will have substantive expertise and experience working in and with education systems across the different levels (primary to tertiary) in developing countries, and particularly in the African context. She/he will be expected to interact pro-actively and effectively with programme/project teams, and relevant levels (from international, regional, national and local) of partner and beneficiary organisations. The successful candidate will be well-informed of educational trends and challenges, able to develop effective pedagogical solutions, models and frameworks and capable of working successfully in a multi-disciplinary team. The successful candidate will also have a thorough appreciation and knowledge of the potential and advantages of incorporating mobile technologies in programme delivery.

She/he will possess excellent communication skills, be an initiative taker, facilitator, advisor and leader, critical and innovative thinker, highly motivated and results-oriented. She/he will have strong listening skills and ability to build deep and effective relationships with beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders.

The Education Specialist will report to the Director of Programmes (or designate) and will work closely and collaboratively with programme and project managers and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Effective technical expertise and leadership to ensure robust pedagogical interventions for the thematic focus areas
• Simple and effective pedagogical models, tools and frameworks to facilitate effective implementation of programmes
• Incorporation and use of existing and emerging mobile technologies for more effective teaching and learning
• Timely and quality implementation of programme activities against set work plans, timelines and budgets and in line with programme objectives
• Effective implementation of pedagogical models, frameworks and tools and regular and timely monitoring of the same in collaboration with MERL Specialist
• Effective partnership building with relevant government partners and institutions, beneficiaries and stakeholders to facilitate implementation of models, frameworks, tools and solutions
• Proactive identification of pedagogical trends, challenges and emergent issues and conceptualisation of appropriate responses/solutions
• Effective and timely pedagogical support to programme/country project teams.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide leadership, guidance and supervision to GESCI’s current and evolving areas of Education and Training in relation to ICT in education with a focus on the areas of new and emergent pedagogy, 21st century learning and skills, ICT in the curriculum, STEM, open education resources, teacher competency for ICT integration and use, leadership in ICT for the knowledge society and sustainable development and student achievement
• Research, identify/develop and set up effective pedagogical models, frameworks and tools to facilitate and support programme/project implementation
• Advise GESCI management and programme teams on pedagogical trends, new and emerging models, frameworks and practices as well as challenges and appropriate solutions
• Build effective partnerships with partners, institutions, stakeholders and beneficiaries to facilitate implementation of pedagogical models, frameworks and tools
• Provide orientation and training on the use of the models, frameworks and tools
• Lead the programme teams in the development of appropriate pedagogical content, feasible training modes, OERS, assessment rubrics and capacity building for national and regional teams (e.g. through workshops, seminars, coaching and mentoring)
• Support GESCI managers on programme/ project design, work plans, implementation and policies for use of ICTs in Education (in teaching and learning) and approaches for project design and implementation to promote ICT use in the Education & Development sectors
• Collaborate with MERL specialist in the design of appropriate indicators to track teacher/ student/participant achievement across programmes
• Collaborate with GESCI’s technology officer on the identification and effective incorporation of new mobile technologies in teaching and learning
• Work with programme managers and teams to make GESCI a global leader in advocating for the role of ICT in education and development
• Participate in national, regional and international meetings, workshops and conferences on cutting edge pedagogical themes and agendas and for ICT use in Education (Education & assessment, use of new / mobile technologies for teacher development & student learning etc.) and in Leadership for KS and sustainable development
• Research and develop papers, opinion /think pieces and presentations to share good practice and showcase GESCI’s work
• Contribute to the dissemination and exchange of GESCI programme/project research findings and policy recommendations on issues and best practices related to ICT in education, training, the knowledge society and sustainable development
• Report as required to management, programme teams, partners and beneficiaries.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Qualifications:

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field (Education, Technology in Education, e-Learning, or other relevant field) (R). Advanced degree or PhD desirable (D)

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in the field of education, from which at least 3 years related to international development work in the African context (R)*
• Substantive knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in education and learning in Africa (R)
• At least 3 years’ experience related to education project / programme management or working in multi-faceted education project environments (R)
• Experience in working with government offices and institutions and other partners (R)
• Proven record as an expert in the field of ICT integration in education, as demonstrated by a track record in field experience and/or publications, in a national, regional or international capacity. (R)
• Experience as a trainer and facilitator for large groups/events (R)
• Content and OER development experience (R)
• Online/blended learning tutoring experience (R).

*(R) Required/(D) Desirable

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong research and analytical skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (R). A working knowledge of French would be an asset
• Excellent prioritisation and time management skills with strong attention to detail (R)
• Ability to lead and work effectively in a team environment, and to achieve consensus on policy, programme/project/activity, and administrative matters (R)
• Ability to plan, organise, manage, and evaluate assigned programme/project/ activities (R)
• Comfortable and effective as a lead trainer on the ICT competency framework for teachers when required
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to re-prioritise and adjust where necessary (R)
• Partnership building and coordination skills (R)
• Self- initiation skills (R)
• Excellent interpersonal and listening skills (R)
• Excellent command of digital information resources and information technology. (R)
• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to think strategically about the use of ICT in education and training in developing countries as a tool to help meet various developmental objectives. (D)
• Project management skills (D)

The Person:

The ideal candidate for the position:

• Flexible, professionally mature, intellectually curious, passionate about education, learning and ICT, receptive to exploring new ideas, comfortable with ambiguity, attentive to detail and committed to development
• Demonstrates tact and diplomacy in order to establish and develop sustainable working relations and a high level of trust with government institutions, officials and other partners and stakeholders
• Able to thrive in a multi-cultural and multi-country working environment
• Demonstrates a strong sense of professionalism and team spirit.