Bilingual Deaf Education Expert at Inclusive Development Partners: (Deadline 24 March 2023)

Bilingual Deaf Education Expert at Inclusive Development Partners: (Deadline 24 March 2023)

Inclusive Development Partners (IDP) is seeking a Bilingual Deaf Education Expert for the planned USAID-funded Strengthening Pathways to Language, Literacy and Learning for Deaf Learners (SPLD) in Rwanda.  This Activity seeks to improve literacy outcomes for all children by the end of Primary 3 (P3) by: 1) improving parental and community support for deaf learners; 2) strengthening teacher RSL fluency and bilingual (Rwandan Sign Language (RSL) to Kinyawrwanda) deaf education pedagogy; and 3) increasing youth engagement to support RSL learning and deaf learners.

IDP is seeking a Bilingual Deaf Education Expert for a proposed full-time job of 2-4 years, to work in collaborationwith the RSL Specialist and the Teacher Professional Development Specialist/Training Specialist to lead the design and implementation of teacher and community training programs in RSL deaf education. This position will work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to conduct baseline and endline assessments, lead technical assistance in deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) instruction best practices to MOE and Rwandan civil society organizations, and supervise and coordinate the work of expert reading consultants as needed.  This position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda. The Bilingual Deaf Education Expert will report to the SPLD Activity’s Chief of Party (COP).  Proficiency in Rwanda Sign Language or other sign language preferred. Familiarity with deaf education, deaf culture, and the deaf community, and the needs of deaf, deafblind, deaf disabled, and hard of hearing learners strongly desired. Proficiency in a sign language along with familiarity with deaf education and deaf culture are strongly desired. Preference given to nationals or those living in Rwanda with commensurate experience.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical coordination, leadership, and expertise related to deaf education, deaf literacy instruction and bilingual education across all project objectives, activities, materials, and trainings.
• Take a lead role in the development, coordination, and delivery of a plan for teacher professional development around deaf education and sign language skills.
• Utilized evidence-based practices related to deaf education, deaf literacy acquisition and sign language acquisition.
• Strengthen capacity for partner organizations related to deaf education and bilingual education.
• Support the development of awareness raising materials around the importance and benefits of early sign language acquisition and family and community engagement.
• Maintain a strong working relationship and collaborate closely with government focal points for disability.
• Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team on indicators, assessments and activity impact evaluations.
• Communicate on a regular basis with IDP and consortium leadership staff based overseas, and collaborate closely on all project management and delivery activities.
• Oversee the production of regular reports, briefs, and communicational materials regarding program activities and progress.
• Travel within Rwanda for field work related to project delivery.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a field relevant to this activity preferred, or alternatively 6 years of experience in a relevant field in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Experience implementing deaf education activities, which may include teaching and learning material development, assessments, teacher professional development, and systems reform.
• Excellent communication and writing ability English.
• Fluency in a sign language highly preferred with preference in Rwandan Sign Language or a similar sign language spoken in the region.
• Clear familiarity with core topics around the inclusion of students with disabilities, especially Universal Design for Learning and behavior change.
• Experience with  formative, summative and continuous assessment practices, along with principles of Universal Design for Assessment strongly preferred
• Proven experience and technical expertise in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and in particular deaf persons. Experience with the promotion of the rights of girls in access to and learning through education is highly desired as well.
• Experience working closely in partnership with government counterparts, international development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other collaborators/stakeholders; experience collaborating with disabled persons organization (DPOs).
• Ability to work across technical and operations teams to develop and implement work plans, monitoring and evaluation strategies, and project activities that embed support to gender and disability inclusion.
• Excellent self-management skills, including the ability to manage competing responsibilities under tight timelines.
• Prior experience working with USAID-funded or other donor-funded activities preferred.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and CV in English to [email protected]

Applications are due March 24, 2023 and are considered on an ongoing basis.

IDP is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability are encouraged to apply.

This positon is contingent on funding. Citizens or permanent residents with work authorization in Rwanda are encouraged to apply.