Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and 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.
Program Description:
The Jordan Technical Assistance Program (TAP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a five-year education and youth project that seeks to transform the organizational culture and improve the abilities within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth to ensure officials can implement desired reforms. Creative and its partners will provide technical assistance in the development, roll-out, and tracking of policies and procedures to incorporate international best practices for public education and youth programming. Among the many activities in the Jordan Technical Assistance Program, it will support curriculum development, promote inclusive learning techniques, improve the skills of teachers and school managers, and other tangible activities that ultimately support changing the organizational culture within the two ministries and relevant agencies. The program will further support Jordan’s outreach and behavioral change communications initiatives that are aimed at creating a culture of reading, the inclusion of vulnerable children, and increased youth engagement.
Reporting & Supervision:
The Education Material Manager will report to the Sr. Education & Youth Liaison Advisor.
Responsibilities
Work to develop a strategic implementation framework to ensure the relevant Jordanian government ministries can sustainably develop and deliver teaching and learning reading materials, especially books, to teachers and learners as part of this project. Support implementation of relevant assessments, reporting, and capacity building in the following areas (based on Global Book Alliance guidance):
- Supply Chain Assessments: Assess demand, oversee data collection and planning and forecasting and financial allocations, including baseline assessments.
- Sourcing content and procurement: Assess/build capacity for coordination of procurements from a variety of sources, as appropriate.
- Title development: Assess/build capacity for content development for both print and digital materials, and mitigation of piracy issues for private publishers, as appropriate.
- Production: Assess/build capacity for printing large quantities of low-cost, reliable quality TLMs, as well as development of digital content development strategies.
- Distribution: Support the implementation distribution system, as needed and appropriate.
- Book administration and usage in schools: Design and implement administration system, as needed and appropriate.
- Provide capacity development design leadership and advisory support to government partner teams in accordance with plans for materials support.
- Provide policy support in adoption of materials development policy and assess the policy for local book production, as appropriate, aligned to the recommendations and commitments of the materials framework to ensure all pupils in Jordan have access to high-quality reading materials in adequate quantities.**Qualifications**
- Undergraduate degree in public management, supply chain management, or other relevant field required.
- At least five years’ experience relevant to this position required, with at least three years in materials development and/or supply chain management, preferably within the book sector.
- Experience working with Ministry of Education and/or the publishing/print industry preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of logistics in challenging environments.
- Demonstrated knowledge of cultural barriers to education and literacy/math in Jordan.
- Experience in educational materials development.
- Ability to work with Ministry of Education/Ministry of Youth officials at all levels, donor staff, and diverse stakeholders.
- Experience with procurement processes and strong negotiation skills with suppliers.
- Strong analytical and pragmatic problem-solving skills.
- Good communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English highly desired, advanced proficiency required.
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