Senior Education Specialist

Program  Background

The Government of Lebanon, with support from the international community, is implementing the Reaching All Children with Education (RACE) initiative. First launched in 2013, RACE seeks to improve access to formal education for 460,000 Syrian refugee children and underprivileged Lebanese children in the country. Efforts under this new phase of RACE 2 are expected to minimize the short and medium-term costs of displacement for refugee families, while strengthening the long-term capacity of the Lebanese education system to prepare children for life and work once regional stability returns. MEHE, with the support of CERD, is responsible for implementing the S2R2 program.

Program  Objectives

The Program Development Objective is to promote equitable access, enhance quality of learning, and strengthen the systems in Lebanon’s education sector in response to the protracted refugee crisis. The key results are as follows:

Increase in the proportion of school-aged Lebanese and non-Lebanese children (3–18) enrolled in formal education;

Increase in the proportion of students passing their grades, and transitioning to the next; and

Improvement in MEHE’s capacity to review, evaluate, and update Program implementation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the S2R2 Program, the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) is looking for a Senior Education Specialist with a specific proven expertise in curriculum reform and assessment. Below are the main tasks and responsibilities:

Work closely with CERD’s Heads of departments, namely the Educational Research Bureau (CERD-ERB) and the Joint Academic Department (CERD-JAD) to initiate dialogue around curriculum reform and draw on the latest trends in instructional methods, educational technology and pedagogy.

Help establish, participate in, or facilitate the curriculum review process.

Coordinate with the Curriculum Development Expert (CDE) and Curriculum Development Coordinator (CDC) in order to secure the optimal conditions for the national curriculum revision kick-off, namely from content relevant and content design perspectives.

Provide advice on the most adapted activities/projects that shall contribute to the Program results, namely within DLIs 1, 2, and 7 pertaining to increasing students’ enrollment and transition rates, improving competence and skills-based outcomes, and boosting the reading/literacy levels.

Emphasize on integrating lab work, technology, life skills into the curriculum, as well as on developing cognitive and socio-emotional skills of the students.

Provide technical assistance to CERD targeted stakeholders during the preparation of the S2R2 Annual Work Plan (AWP), and in setting expectations and sequential prioritization of changes of the current curriculum.

Liaise with CERD’s Heads of Departments, FPs and other stakeholders to ensure consultations and cross-collaboration at all levels supporting curriculum revision and development.

Liaise with M&E Senior Officer to support in securing the relevant tools and in ensuring the quality of deliverables, in coordination with the Quality Assurance Unit (CERD-QAU), the FPs and the Senior Program Development Advisor (SPDA).

Contribute to building the capacity of CERD designated staff and FPs, namely within CERD-JAD and CERD-ERB. A capacity building plan for the transfer of knowledge and skills, shall be approved by CERD S2R2 Steering Committee and co-constructed with the respective CERD heads of entities.

Prepare periodic reports, and presentations as requested by CERD management, to showcase progress on the agreed deliverables, flag any pending matters and recommend mitigation plans.

Perform other tasks related to the program objectives as assigned by CERD President or S2R2 Steering Committee.

Previous Experience

Minimum of 10 years of experience in leading curriculum reform and assessment at national or international levels.

Proven experience with the education public sector is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated experience in, knowledge of, and agility with new learning technologies in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Experience in development or implementation of inclusive practices in curriculum is a plus.

Behavioral Skills        

Strong analytical and presentation skills.

Proven ability to innovative solutions finding.

Ability to cope with pressure and mitigate challenges.

Ability to convey complex information in a structured manner.

Ability to get along with co-workers and deal with the general public tactfully, courteously and professionally.

Outstanding project management and organization skills.

Ability to lead and utilize motivational techniques and strategies.