Education Policy Associate – J-PAL Africa 187 views0 applications

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab for Africa (J-PAL Africa) seeks an Education Policy Associate to support J-PAL’s goal of transforming research into action by designing, developing and promoting an implementation toolkit which will allow African governments and NGOs to easily apply what works in education.

Background:

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) is an approach to basic skill learning that has been proven to improve learning outcomes in several different contexts, including Ghana, Kenya and India. Governments across Africa are now exploring how to scale-up Teaching at the Right Level programmes and there is a growing interest amongst NGOs about how one can build a TaRL programme. As the interest in TaRL increases, practical implementation details need to be easily accessible and in one place.

Role:

The Education Policy Associate role would be focused on designing, developing and promoting a Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Toolkit. The TaRL Toolkit will be a package of materials that interested NGOs and governments could use to start up Teaching at the Right Level programmes. The position will be based at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab for Africa (J-PAL Africa), which is in the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town School of Economics. The role will require a significant amount of travel around Africa, as well as trips to India.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with TaRL creator Pratham, a large education NGO in India, to compile and record what is important for successful implementation. Work closely with the J-PAL Africa team to identify lessons from the research on TaRL and communicate these principles through the toolkit.
• Develop an understanding of the contexts in multiple African countries and work with the J-PAL Africa and Pratham teams to determine how TaRL programmes need to be adapted to work within these contexts.
• Work collaboratively with a film production company to create TaRL training videos that interested NGOs and governments could use to equip teachers and tutors with the necessary TaRL skills.
• Develop a well-structured package of TaRL information that could be used by NGOs and governments to start TaRL programmes. (This may be on an online website.)
• Work with website designers on how to structure on the website.
• Develop strategies that promote TaRL Toolkit use.
• Manage and update the TaRL toolkit.

Requirements

• A degree in education, public policy, communications, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Professionalism and excellent inter personal skills. Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of partners across different cultures.
• Good time management skills.
• Can perform multiple tasks efficiently and in order of priority.
• Ability to work under pressure both independently and in a team.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, find solutions, and think strategically.
• Ability to easily synthesize, structure and simplify information.
• High degree of creativity.
• Willingness to travel (50% or more). Travel will often be independent.

Advantageous

• Web design experience.
• Film/production experience.
• Project management experience.
• Teaching/education experience Knowledge of African languages. French, Swahili and/or any African language would be helpful. English language mastery is a must.

How to Apply

Complete the J-PAL/IPA Common Application. Choose the Policy job category, then select “Title – Office or Project”. Most applications for policy positions require you to include a statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts.

Given the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview