Senior Research & Policy Advisor

Job Title: Senior Research and Policy Advisor

Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Project/Dept: Pakistan Reading Project

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Pakistan Reading Project (PRP) is a USAID funded project to improve the quality of reading in public and private schools across Pakistan, supporting at least 2.5 million additional primary school students to read at a level commensurate with standards at their grade level. This goal will be supported by the mutually-reinforcing components of teacher education and professional development (PD), systems reform, and civil society engagement. The Pakistan Reading Project is a five year project to be implemented in 67 districts of 8 provinces across Pakistan.

The Center on Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a research and outreach unit in the College of Education at the University of Oregon dedicated to conducting rigorous educational research and to moving research to practice in our nation’s schools. We are a community of researchers who are singularly committed to using the most up-to-date and rigorous research methodologies and scientific evidence to improve various educational practices that have a direct impact on student learning.

The primary focus of CTL is on the role of curriculum, instruction, and assessment as individual elements that interact in school systems. CTL's research and outreach includes school-based experimental research (e.g., Randomized Control Trials, Regression Discontinuity), model demonstration projects, and large-scale professional development and technical assistance. CTL research projects and outreach services have benefited children at the local, state, regional, and national levels by raising achievement levels in a vast number of U.S. and international schools.

CTL will be partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support research activities and teacher professional development as part of the Pakistan Reading Project (PRP). The IRC is leading a USAID-funded PRP to improve the quality of reading in public and private schools, supporting at least 2.5 million additional primary school students to read at a level commensurate with standards at their grade level. This goal will be supported by the mutually-reinforcing components of teacher education and professional development (PD), systems reform, and civil society engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Job Summary:

The Research Advisor is responsible for overseeing all research activities of the project, including coordinating with University Educators and Provincial educators to set research priorities and reviewing research proposals under the Research and Learning grants mechanism.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of a research framework for the Pakistan Reading Project (PRP) that is anchored to evidence-based research and addresses important educational issues related to reading.
• Develop the university capacity to teach and mentor selected faculty at universities in Pakistan through the Higher Education Commission
• Oversee to the development of a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to permit university faculty to conduct a specific research study on issues most pertinent to the PRP.
• Coordinate with research stakeholders at the central and provincial levels to identify national and provincial research priorities.
• Organize and lead research workshops to strengthen research methodology skills for PRP grant recipients.
• Coordinate guidance on the appropriate dissemination of results, including opportunities to co-author in international education journals.
• Contribute to the strategic development of research initiatives that will contribute to enhanced research capacity in education in Pakistan

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Graduate degree in education, social science, or relevant discipline with a focus on research methods

Work Experiences:

• Minimum of seven years’ related research and work experience, preferably working with teachers and/or the higher education community in Pakistan;
• Experience mentoring early-career research faculty;
• Experience teaching at the university level;
• Familiarity with newly introduced B.Ed. and ADE courses in Pakistan

Demonstrated Skills:

• Excellent understanding of education-related research methodologies;
• Understanding of international research standards;
• Knowledge of design and delivery of effective reading instruction in the primary levels;
• Experience in working with university partners on accreditation;
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to peer-reviewed, professional publications in the field of education or social science and experience submitting papers for publication;
• Demonstrable interpersonal and intercultural skills and experience working closely with international teams;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with high attention to detail;
• Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity building and in participatory, flexible and gender-sensitive programming and implementation.
• An ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds and an interest in creating and maintaining a diverse learning and working environment is required.

Language and Computer Skills:

• Fluent in English and Urdu, both verbal and written, is required;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including computer skills- word processing, Excel etc.;
• Strong computer and technology skills, particularly related to presentation design software and telecommunications.

Travel:

• Ability to travel throughout the province/region;
• Familiarity with the regional context; Flexible work schedule to accommodate the time differences between international partners (e.g., availability for evening and morning meetings).

How to apply:

Relevant candidate's can send their applications on hr@pakreading.org mentioning the position title and location in the subject line not later than July 25, 2014.

Pakistan Reading Project is an equal opportunity employer and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.