Estimated
Level of Effort:
Full-time
Level of Effort:
Full-time
Estimated
Dates:
March 2018 –
May 2021
Dates:
March 2018 –
May 2021
Assignment
Location:
Based in Kigali,
Rwanda – possible travel in-country
Location:
Based in Kigali,
Rwanda – possible travel in-country
Project
Summary
Summary
Soma
Umenye is a five-year USAID-funded activity that aims to improve reading
outcomes in Kinyarwanda for at least 1
Umenye is a five-year USAID-funded activity that aims to improve reading
outcomes in Kinyarwanda for at least 1
million children in public and
government-aided schools in Rwanda. Covering all 30 districts of Rwanda and
working in close collaboration with the Rwanda Education Boad (REB) and the
Rwandan Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), Soma Umenye will contribute to
Rwanda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Government of Rwanda’s
national development priority of ensuring that Rwandan primary-grade students
acquire the fundamental competency of literacy so that they can succeed in
future schooling and, later, in the modern workplace.
Project
Goals
Goals
Soma
Umenye aims to achieve the following two goals:
Umenye aims to achieve the following two goals:
- To
improve reading outcomes in Kinyarwanda for at least 1 million children
(unique direct beneficiaries) in public and government-aided schools in
Rwanda by the end of P3; and - To
ensure that at least 70 percent of P1-P3 students can read grade-level
text with fluency and comprehension.
To
achieve the above goals, it requires close collaboration with all education
stakeholders under the technical leadership of MINEDUC and REB.
achieve the above goals, it requires close collaboration with all education
stakeholders under the technical leadership of MINEDUC and REB.
Objective:
The
Research Specialist will lead on Sub-IR 2.3: Research-Based Policies and
Curricula in Support of Early Grade Reading Instruction Implemented IR 2:
Systemic Capacity for Early Grade Reading Instruction Improved of the Soma
Umenye (SU) Project in Rwanda, ensuring timely and effective delivery of these activities.
This full-time staff member is responsible for facilitating periodic updates of
the GoR Early Grade Reading Research Agenda, coordinating and supporting Soma
Umenye’s early grade reading research activities, and convening researchers, policy
makers, and practitioners to advance evidence-based decision making for early
grade reading programs and policies in Rwanda and the region.
Research Specialist will lead on Sub-IR 2.3: Research-Based Policies and
Curricula in Support of Early Grade Reading Instruction Implemented IR 2:
Systemic Capacity for Early Grade Reading Instruction Improved of the Soma
Umenye (SU) Project in Rwanda, ensuring timely and effective delivery of these activities.
This full-time staff member is responsible for facilitating periodic updates of
the GoR Early Grade Reading Research Agenda, coordinating and supporting Soma
Umenye’s early grade reading research activities, and convening researchers, policy
makers, and practitioners to advance evidence-based decision making for early
grade reading programs and policies in Rwanda and the region.
The
Research Specialist will carry out the following functions: 1) coordinate
and oversee the implementation of a GoR Early Grade Reading Research Agenda; 2)
support commissioning and management of research; 3) foster capacity building
in early grade reading research in Rwanda; and 4) promote the use of evidence
in early grade reading policy and practice. All of these activities will
be undertaken in close collaboration with the REB and MINEDUC and other key
stakeholders in Rwanda.
Research Specialist will carry out the following functions: 1) coordinate
and oversee the implementation of a GoR Early Grade Reading Research Agenda; 2)
support commissioning and management of research; 3) foster capacity building
in early grade reading research in Rwanda; and 4) promote the use of evidence
in early grade reading policy and practice. All of these activities will
be undertaken in close collaboration with the REB and MINEDUC and other key
stakeholders in Rwanda.
The
Research Specialist will provide technical support in the procurement and
management of anticipated studies being managed by Chemonics, as part of the
Soma Umenye partnership. This support includes preparation of terms of
references and scopes of work, coordination of the technical evaluation of
proposals, and technical oversight of research studies commissioned by
Chemonics from inception to final implementation. The Research Specialist will
also provide input into the design of other Soma Umenye partner research
activities.
Research Specialist will provide technical support in the procurement and
management of anticipated studies being managed by Chemonics, as part of the
Soma Umenye partnership. This support includes preparation of terms of
references and scopes of work, coordination of the technical evaluation of
proposals, and technical oversight of research studies commissioned by
Chemonics from inception to final implementation. The Research Specialist will
also provide input into the design of other Soma Umenye partner research
activities.
The
Research Specialist will work with URCE, MINEDUC, REB and other research
institutions to identify capacity building needs in early grade reading
research and coordinate initiatives to build expertise in researchers involved
in Soma Umenye-sponsored research studies and upcoming scholars interested in
the field.
Research Specialist will work with URCE, MINEDUC, REB and other research
institutions to identify capacity building needs in early grade reading
research and coordinate initiatives to build expertise in researchers involved
in Soma Umenye-sponsored research studies and upcoming scholars interested in
the field.
The
Research Specialist will define and oversee a strategy to strengthen
coordination among the between the research, policy, and practice communities
focused on early grade reading in Rwanda. The research coordinator will support
REB and SU partners in integrating early grade research findings into educational
practices, materials and guides, policy briefs and other related
products.
Research Specialist will define and oversee a strategy to strengthen
coordination among the between the research, policy, and practice communities
focused on early grade reading in Rwanda. The research coordinator will support
REB and SU partners in integrating early grade research findings into educational
practices, materials and guides, policy briefs and other related
products.
Tasks:
The
Research Specialist, with support from a pool of research specialists and the
Senior System Strengthening Specialist, will carry out specific tasks within
the following areas:
Research Specialist, with support from a pool of research specialists and the
Senior System Strengthening Specialist, will carry out specific tasks within
the following areas:
- Organize
an annual GoR Early Grade Reading Research Agenda workshop to review and
update the Agenda based on evolving program and program priorities and
emerging evidence. - Assist
REB to validate and disseminate the research agenda at forums and workshops
involving SU partners, research institutions, national/regional MEN
representatives, and other agencies working on early grade reading. - Define
and oversee a strategy to enhance coordination, knowledge sharing and
collaboration among Soma Umenye partners and early grade reading research
stakeholders in Rwanda. - Provide
technical support to the administrative team in developing Request for
Proposals and evaluation of proposals. - In
collaboration with other Soma Umenye team members, oversee the management,
implementation and quality assurance of research studies being managed by
Chemonics under the Soma Umenye partnership. Provide input into
research-related activities and studies being managed by other Soma Umenye
partners (e.g., Cambridge Education, Room to Read). - Support
capacity building for national research institutions by organizing
workshops and forums and other initiatives. - Liaise
with the Policy Specialist and practice team to make best use of research
findings to inform practice, including in the development and improvement
of teaching and learning materials and training programs and policy- and
systems strengthening related efforts. - Develop,
plan, coordinate and facilitate seminars, forums, roundtables and other
events on early grade reading research-related themes.
Qualifications
and Experience:
and Experience:
- A
degree in a relevant field, such as education, social sciences, or
international development; - At
least 5 years’ experience in the education sector; a focus on early grade
reading would be an asset; - Extensive
work experience in research, data collection and analysis; - Knowledge
of the Rwandan education system; - Knowledge
of the current state of early grade reading research and measurement
strategies would be an asset; - Experience
working with government counterparts to advance development outcomes; - Knowledge
of strategies for institutional and individual capacity building would be
an asset; - Strong
organizational abilities including strong team management abilities; - Strong
interpersonal, communication and networking skills; - Strong
computer skills in MS Office; - Strong
project management skills; - Demonstrable
attention to detail and accuracy; - Clear
thinking and effective decision making, ability to retain composure under
pressure; - Flexible
approach with commitment to meeting challenging deadlines
Cover
letters should be no longer than 1 typed page and should fully speak to the
qualification and competencies requested for this position.
letters should be no longer than 1 typed page and should fully speak to the
qualification and competencies requested for this position.
