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Afghanistan Teacher Training Advisor

The Technical Advice and Support (TAS) Team within AKF Education provides specialist professional educational advice and support in programmatically relevant areas such as policy, management and leadership, teacher capacity building, teaching and learning, adult education and Early Childhood Development.

The Teacher Training Advisor is a key member of the TAS team, responsible for providing advice and support with reference to teacher education interventions and TTC related functions. S/he will be based in Kabul and report directly to the TAS Manager. S/he will work with the regional TAS Teams, national TAS Team and other members in Education in order to ensure the development and delivery of a high quality, contextually relevant and sustainable teaching and learning programme.

AKF currently works with over 5,000 teachers(27% female) in Baghlan, Bamyan and Badakhshan including teachers working in Government Schools, Community-Based Primary, Pre-Primary, Adult Literacy and Parenting classes, as well as five Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) serving almost 3,000 students (40% female). AKF focuses both on pre-service and in-service teacher development. Pre-service teacher development is a mandate of the TTCs and AKF facilitates faculty development through methodology and content based trainings, school practicum and workshops on leadership and management. AKF provides in-service capacity building opportunities for teachers in schools in programme areas through workshops and on-going in classroom mentoring. The Teacher Training Advisor will be expected to make frequent visits to the areas of AKF activity in order to strengthen effectiveness in teaching and learning in schools.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technical Advice and Support: After assessing the existing teacher education plans and materials, staff capacity and programmatic needs, work in consultation with the TAS Manager and regional management teams to provide strategic direction, suggestions, advice and leadership for the programme in line with AKF education strategy and commitments.

• Providing Technical Advice and Support-externally: As required, participate in meetings, forum, conferences and working groups with Ministry of Education and partners in order to share experiences, knowledge and, when practical, advice for the development of teacher education programmes and policies within Afghanistan.

• Representation: As required, represent AKF Education in meetings with other AKDN Agencies, Afghan NGOs, INGOs and other relevant stakeholders in matters related to pre-service and in-service teacher education and TTC interventions.

• Programme Effectiveness: In addition to introducing initiatives to strengthen the delivery and effectiveness of current teachers’ education initiatives, develop innovative and creative ideas to expand and sustain positive impacts.

• Programme Delivery – Planning and Implementation: In order to ensure realistic understanding of how teacher capacity building initiatives are being implemented and the challenges faced, frequently visit programme schools to monitor and support AKF staff, teachers and school management.

• Staff Development: Through a combination of training courses, mentoring, coaching and other development opportunities relevant to teacher development, build the technical and communication skills of the regional Teacher Training Officers. This will enable them to identify, support and develop strategies and activities to strengthen the teacher training programme across regions. S/he will also work with the School Community Educators and Master Mentors who work directly with teachers in the field.

• Resource Management: Assist in the identification and selection of appropriate technical supplies and equipment for the TTCs and schools (e.g., teaching and learning materials and resources).

• Reports and Communication: In addition to ensuring full and ongoing communication with the TAS Manager, provide him/her with regular written reports on problems being faced, ideas being recommended and general progress and impact of the programme. As part of the TAS Team, attend regular team meetings, share ideas, concerns and gain clear approval before implementing anything new. When visiting regions, ensure clear communication with regional senior management.

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Research: As necessary, provide support and ideas for undertaking research projects and impact studies related to teacher training. When required, work with the Monitoring and ERLU teams to develop and strengthen effective tools for measuring impact and success of teacher education programme.

• Collaborate with other members of the Education Team such as Advisors/Coordinators.

• Provide technical advice to AKF teams in organizing/taking part in events, campaigns and conferences on initiatives relevant to teacher education and TTCs.

• By remaining up to date with research, initiatives and developments relevant to teacher education, advise and update other colleagues as relevant.
Administration:

• Provide regular reports to National Program Office Technical:

• Responsible for evaluating and providing feedback to senior regional management Logistical • Ensure appropriate selection of the TTC teaching and learning materials.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Masters Degree in Education (preferably in teacher education)

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a practitioner in teacher capacity building initiatives in developing countries' context.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in managing implementation of teachers education-related projects, preferably in a post conflict or complex region.

• Proven excellent interpersonal, mentoring and team building skills, particularly working in cross-cultural contexts;

• Excellent time management skills–ability to deal with multiple tasks and diverse team.

• Excellent English written and spoken communication skills (Dari would also be an advantage)

• Ability to make decisions and suggestions based on strong analytical and problem solving skills.

• Strong and realistic planning skills with the ability and tenacity to follow a project through completion.

• Proven experience in writing training materials and designing resources.

• Flexibility in responding to unexpected changes in circumstances.

How to apply:

Applications: Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a cover letter along with their CV no later than January 15th 2012:

By e‐mail to: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org or Through our Career Centre: http://www.akdn.org/careers