Psycho-Social Support/ Social Emotional Learning Specialist

Position Location:     Ramallah, Palestine

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 a PSS/SEL Specialist 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.

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

 

Responsibilities: The PSS/SEL Specialist will work closely with and report to the Senior Early Childhood Education/Basic Education Advisor to support implementation of effective PSS/SEL strategies to improve the delivery of education for students in KG1 through Grade 6. The PSS/SEL Specialist will have one direct report – a PSS/SEL Officer located in Gaza. The PSS/SEL Specialist will support the review of curricula used in target private schools and early childhood centers and use this review as a foundation for developing PSS/SEL teaching and learning materials and tools to be used in KG classrooms and centers, in Grades 1 through 6 remedial programs and in community-based programs targeting parents and community members. The PSS/SEL Specialist will work from the project office in Ramallah and support PSS/SEL programming in West Bank , East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

• Advanced degree (MA or higher) from an accredited university in education psychology, counseling, child-psychology or related field.
• At least 6 years of prior work experience and minimum 4 years working experience in the field of early childhood/primary education, counseling and/or social emotional learning/psychosocial support strategies.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in mental health, psychosocial support, social emotional learning and life skills, knowledge of mental health standards, local and global social emotional learning, performance indicators and professional development approaches.
• Solid experience in assessing, analyzing results, designing, implementing and following evidence-based interventions.
• Experience working in developing and/or humanitarian contexts within the Education sector and an understanding of the local context in West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.
• Significant experience integrating sound social emotional learning practices in the development of teaching and learning strategies and materials.
• Experience in using assessment and measurement tools and developing materials for measuring PSS/SEL outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop relations with technical staff, local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Minimum four (4) years of work experience West Bank or Gaza.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Fluency in Arabic and working proficiency in English.

Deadline: 19 December 2023

 

 Apply at: [email protected]

 

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

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.