Early Childhood Education (ECE) Component Lead

Background: Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, governance, and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 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.  

Summary: Creative Associates seeks an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Component Lead for the USAID-funded West Bank and Gaza (WBG) Basic Education Activity, which will strengthen education services for Palestinian children of KG 1 through Grade 6 that enable them to thrive and reach their full developmental potential. Under the Basic Education Activity, USAID seeks to work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, community-based, and civil society partners to strengthen early childhood and primary educational opportunities through high-quality early childhood education services and supplemental support structures to strengthen foundational pre-primary and primary education for children in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Specific areas of focus include strengthening foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning (SEL)/soft skills, building teacher and student resilience capabilities and assets, and strengthening pathways between non-formal to formal education.

The ECE Component Lead will work from the BEA office in Ramallah and will oversee implementation in WB including Area C, and East Jerusalem, and coordinate with the ECE staff in Gaza, as needed.

**Please note this is a local recruitment and only citizens from Palestine will be considered**

Responsibilities: The ECE Component Lead will work closely with and report to the Senior Early Childhood Education/Basic Education Advisor to support effective implementation of all the activities which fall under the project’s Intermediate Result 1 (IR1): Improved cognitive, social, and emotional competencies of preschoolers, which include improving physical environments of non-governmental Kindergartens; assessing curricula, developing teaching and learning materials (TLMs) and assessing training needs; developing an ECE TLM toolkit and well-being toolkit for teachers and students; rolling out multi-modal foundational learning resources; and improving accessibility and inclusion of children with disabilities to nongovernmental Kindergartens. The ECE Component Lead will supervise up to five direct reports.

The ECE Component Lead will:

• Ensure effective management and implementation of activities under IR 1.
• Lead coordination with the project technical team and partners to ensure the timely and quality delivery of planned project activities.
• Track the progress of deliverables, apply course correction measures, and ensure compliance with all requirements.
• Prepare and finalize all required reports and related documents.
• Lead in developing a comprehensive and detailed project work plan that includes all related IR1 activities, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and corresponding milestones.
• Draft scopes of work for implementing partners.
• Support project partners in developing comprehensive work plans that include all related and assigned activities.
• Manage communication and coordination with partners, including clarification of roles and responsibilities and ensuring timely reports and progress towards completion of deliverables.
• Support the efforts to monitor project risks, identify new risks, propose risk mitigation measures, and implement agreed-upon measures.
• Facilitate regular internal team meetings to ensure proper coordination, support, and cohesion in program activities.
• Share knowledge and resources pertaining to the implementation of assigned activities and contribute to the project’s overall programmatic initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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Qualifications:

• A minimum master's degree from an accredited university in early childhood education, education, child psychology, or related field is desired. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree with extensive experience in this field will also be considered.
• Minimum 5 years working experience in the field of education in the development and/or humanitarian context, including a minimum of three (3) years of work experience implementing ECE/pre-primary education projects in West Bank/Gaza.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing education programs for international donor-funded programs required. USAID experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, and administrative outputs while tracking the project’s progress through monitoring and evaluation.
• Minimum 4 years of direct supervisory experience.
• Working knowledge of PSS, inclusive education, play-based learning, and child-centered approach.
• Working knowledge of developing and designing educational interventions, including teacher training, and PSS recreational activities.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to coordinate and develop relations with direct reports, technical staff, local counterparts, partners, donors, and other stakeholders.
• The ability to work with a team of experts and professionals and negotiate best practices within the context of the WBG and east Jerusalem.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Fluency in Arabic and working proficiency in English.

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] The deadline for receiving the applications is: 31st May 2024

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.