Maths Content and Training Associate: Nigeria

Application deadline: 30 August 2019

Location: Kano

Duration: Fixed Term: September 2019 – December 2020 with possibility of renewal subject to donor funding

Reports to: TaRL Country Manager with support from TaRL Africa Central Content Team

Role purpose:

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa seeks a Numeracy Content Associate to support the design and continual improvement of the numeracy component of TaRL interventions in Nigeria. The role will be focused initially on supporting the numeracy component of an accelerated learning intervention, derived from core TaRL principles, aimed at improving foundational literacy and numeracy skills for 50,000 primary 4-6 pupils in Kano state. This role provides an excellent opportunity to improve the learning outcomes of primary school children in Kano State and to be part of a leading evidence-based initiative tackling the learning crisis in Africa.

The position will be based in Kano within frequent travel within the state.

About Teaching at the Right Level Africa

TaRL Africa is a newly formalised partnership between Education NGO, Pratham, and research centre J-PAL, who have been working together developing cost-effective, scalable literacy and Numeracy interventions for more than 15 years. The fruits of these efforts have been the development of what we now refer to as the TaRL.

The TaRL approach, pioneered by Pratham, helps children develop basic reading and numeracy skills. In TaRL classroom: children are assessed on basic reading and numeracy using a simple tool; grouped by learning level, rather than by grade, for a dedicated time when they focus building foundational skills through activities and materials appropriate for each group. As children progress, they move to the next learning group and continue to grow.

Implementation of the TaRL programme is expected to begin in September 2019.

Main responsibilities:

  1. Become an expert in TaRL instruction and support:
  • Work with TaRL Africa team to develop a deep understanding of the TaRL approach and learn techniques for providing instructional support
  • Practice the TaRL methodology in the classroom to build practical skillset
  1. Support the development of instructional content for numeracy:
  • Refine and continually improve teaching and learning resources and techniques through spending time in the classroom testing new materials and classroom techniques which respond to challenges identified through data and experience, as well as working with teachers and government officials to reflect on the content and remould as required
  • Track and document innovative teaching practices across the project
  • Support the alignment of numeracy component with literacy components to meet the programme objectives/outcomes and work plan
  1. Build the capacity of instructors and mentors:
  • Work with appropriate government officials and TaRL Content Team colleagues to design, organise and support/lead training/workshops.
  • Support teachers and mentors to deliver effective numeracy instruction, including support with lesson planning and producing tailored teaching and learning resources
  • Provide quality assurance of training and mentoring of teachers and student teachers by Master Trainers and Teacher Trainer/Mentors. This includes managing and supporting a small group of Cluster Coordinator support staff.

In addition, the Numeracy Content Associate will be expected to:

  • Support the Technical and Programme Team Leads in preparing technical and programme reports for the programme advisory board.
  • Support the management of key relationships with stakeholders in state and national education systems, particularly the Kano State Ministry of Education, Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, Local Government Education Authorities.
  • Develop and maintain a strong relationship with the Central and Nigerian TaRL teams and collaboratively with programme team members

Education and Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Education or a related field; A PGDE and/or Master’s degree preferred
  • A minimum of four years’ experience working within the education space.
  • Working knowledge of local curriculum, textbook analysis, instructional practices and assessment tools preferred
  • Good command of written and spoken English

Advantageous

  • Experience working in Northern Nigeria
  • Strong preference for Kano State resident
  • Language skills: Hausa

How to Apply

Please fill in this application form. The deadline for applications is 30 August, 2019. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a writing assessment, followed by an interview process. Due to the large volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to short-listed applicants.