Background/IRC Summary:

In 2007, the IRC began providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and crisis-affected people in Jordan in response to an influx of Iraqi refugees and the strain on host communities. Following the eruption of the Syrian war in 2011, hundreds of thousands of refugees crossed into Jordan. The ongoing insecurity in Syria and the growing needs of refugees have strained Jordan’s resources and infrastructure and exacerbated pre-existing issues like water scarcity and high unemployment.

As resources become more limited, refugees and host communities have fewer economic opportunities and become more vulnerable. The IRC’s strategy for Jordan shows our commitment to improving the safety, health, education, and economic well-being of people affected by conflict, in camp-based (Za’atari camp) refugees and urban-based refugees as well as vulnerable Jordanian host community, in coordination with the humanitarian community and the Government of Jordan. Simultaneously, IRC in Jordan is pivoting to a more long-term resilience/development programming responding to the context in Jordan and the worsening vulnerabilities faced by refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.

Job Overview/Summary:

USAID’s “Early Grade Education Activity” (EGEA) is a five-year program aiming to advance national efforts to strengthen the caliber of pre- and in-service teacher education and improve Kindergarten through Grade Three foundational and socio-emotional skills across the Kingdom of Jordan. The Early Grade Curriculum and TLM Manager will take on a leadership role in driving IRC’s commitments under Result Two of the EGEA program. The position requires a high level of collaboration with the consortium lead, government officials, and partner organizations to ensure the effective implementation of early-grade activities. This includes overseeing the development and improvement of teaching and learning materials (TLM), integrating literacy, numeracy, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into the curriculum, and aligning with broader program goals.

The post holder will lead technical activities related to early grade education, ensuring that the curricula, TLM, and non-formal education activities reflect standard methodologies and the latest educational research, particularly in relation to literacy, numeracy, and SEL integration. The role requires frequent interaction with key stakeholders, including IREX consortium partner leads, government representatives, and other education professionals to ensure the quality and effectiveness of all deliverables under EGEA.

Specific Responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Lead the development and improvement of teaching and learning materials (TLM) that integrate literacy, numeracy, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into the curriculum. Ensure the incorporation of evidence-based literacy and numeracy instructional strategies in the curriculum and TLM to improve student outcomes. Collaborate with key partners, including government representatives, ministry officials, IREX consortium members, and partner organizations to ensure alignment of all activities with national education strategies and policies. Coordinate the alignment of curriculum development with program goals, ensuring consistency and quality across all educational materials. Determine and address the training needs of pre- and in-service teachers to improve the quality of early grade education. Lead and coordinate with a team of educational professionals to efficiently implement the EGEA program's objectives. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency of the curriculum and TLM, making continuous improvements based on feedback and research. Regularly update the consortium lead and other partners on program developments, challenges, and results related to curriculum and SEL activities. Ensure all development activities align with national educational standards and policies.

Key Working Relationships:

·         Position Reports to: Curriculum and Engagement Coordinator (IRC)

·         Position directly supervises: consultants as required

·         Other Internal and/or external contacts:

·    Internal: Regular communication with EGEA team, IRC Jordan country program (DDP and others as needed), IRC regional and global technical advisors, other consortium members

·     External: Represent IRC in EGEA. Work closely with the MoE and local partners. Upon request, participate in global meetings and academic forums with donors, other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups and foundations.