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Job Vacancy @ TALLE-RSL – Network Support Officer

Job Title  Network Support Officers-(NTSOs) TPD Project- Sierra Leone
Persons needed  4
Job Locations  Port Loko and Kenema Districts Sierra Leone
Contract Type  Full Time
Duration of contract  2 years
Office Address  49 Circular Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Reporting to:  TALLE-RSL Management, TPD Program Manager, Sierra   Leone
Date  6th March, 2023
  1. Implementing Organisations-CODE &TALLE-RSL

The Teaching Maters-Scaling Teacher-Driven Communities of Practice and Learning is a research project designed and implemented by CODE Canada in partnership with TALLE-Reading Sierra Leone. This research project is implemented by CODE Canada, in partnership with The Association of Language and Literacy Educators Reading Sierra Leone [TALLE-RSL] and key education stakeholders (MBSSE, MTHE, TSCand UNICEF).

CODE (formerly the Canadian Organization for Development through Education), since 1959, has been working towards its vision of a literate world, growing into Canada’s leading international development agency focused on education and literacy. CODE has been active in Sierra Leone since 2011, focusing on childhood literacy and supporting the creation of locally produced, culturally meaningful books for children. www.code.ngo

TALLE-RSL (The Association of Language and Literacy Educators–Reading Sierra Leone) is a Sierra Leonean NGO of Language Arts and Numeracy Educators that supports the effective teaching and learning of Language Arts and Numeracy to boost quality learning outcomes among children. TALLE-RSL works with education stakeholders to promote the use of appropriate student-friendly methods and materials in teaching children the skills that help them think, read, and communicate meaningfully and well. www.tallersl.org.

  1. Project Background

The Teaching MatersScaling Teacher-Driven Communities of Practice and Learning is a research initiative designed by CODE Canada to investigate “high-quality TPD (that) can be made available in an equitable manner to all teachers with optimal use of resources. The research arose from CODE’s work with the UNICEF/GPE TPD program in Sierra Leone. CODE has selected 20 schools from this program, which are characterised as being ‘low resource, fragile, fraught with systemic challenges, and low-quality professional development.’

This research will be focused on conducting school-based practices to support teachers’ Continuous professional development during their implementation through classroom observations, interviews, surveys and community of practice (CoP) sessions. The findings will inform the development of understandings and information that support more knowledgeable and scalable TPD. The research framework will follow the TPD/CoP model and design of the UNICEF TST-SL initiative and results will inform and identify scalable models, processes, and relationships that support teachers’ CPD in situations challenged by conditions similar to teachers in Sierra Leone. The project will use a mixed methods approach to develop a comprehensive and descriptive approach that connects with observed practices and outcomes that motivate and improve teachers’ performance outcomes.

The goal is to develop a scalable TPD model by gaining deeper knowledge about teachers’ unique contexts and the possible role of local Communities of Practice (CoP). The research’s ultimate findings will also inform the development of effective, adaptable and accessible resources, structures and processes to support the professional learning development of educators and pupils in Sierra Leone.

  1. Advertisement Note

TALLE-RSL invites applications for Network Support Officers (NTSOs) to support the implementation of the TPD Research Project. The NTSOs work under the supervision of the TALLE-RSL Program Manager in providing oversight functions to all the Teaching Matters Project design, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation activities. The NTSOs are supervised daily by the TALLE-RSM Management. The NTSOs are responsible for working with the TALLE-RSL Teaching Matters Management Team to ensure the successful implementation of the TPD Research project deliverables. The NTSOs coordinate and consolidate TALLE-RS’s partnerships with Teacher Training Institutions, schools, local organizations and education stakeholders in Kenema and Port Loko districts.

The NTSO position requires organised and adaptable individuals who thrive working in a cross-cultural environment.

Key Responsibilities

Key activities

Data collection
  • Collate data and professional support to in-service teachers.
  • Data” entry on tablets, administering questionnaires and conducting Interviews.
  • Organizes data and conducts initial analysis
Classroom observations and support
  •  Observe school and classroom activities; talk with teachers, staff, and community people.
  • Conduct classroom observations of teachers in classroom practices and provide coaching on-site.
  • Ensure continuous assessment of the TPD project deliverables at school, TTI and district levels.
  • Provides coaching and mentoring on-site to support teachers’ improvement in classroom practices.
  • Respond to teacher’s requests for CPD support (mini workshops, modelling methods and answering professional knowledge questions
Feedback meetings

and CoP Sessions

  • Conduct feedback update meetings to report activity outcomes to project stakeholders.
  • Attend   COP- TLC meetings and provide feedback to TALLE-RSL Management.
  • Visit Project schools to monitor and coordinate all TPD activities at the district level.
  • Offering solutions and responding to challenges and obstacles in continuous cycles of improvement
  • Articulating and recommending best practices to TALLE-TSL management, teachers and stakeholders based on in-school results that are sustainable and scalable

Qualification

Person Specification
Education & Certifications
Degree in Education or an advanced degree in a related field

 

Essential Experience

 

  • Mastery of Literacy skills and classroom teaching methods
  • Teacher training experience in the UNICEF TST Project.
  • Experience in supporting teachers on the lesson plan and interactive classroom-improved delivery strategies.
  • Experience in supporting TPD programs.
  • Training or experience in related gender education sensitivity practices.
Essential Skills/Abilities

 

  •  Ability to organize and work independently.
  • Leadership and coordinating
  • Good interpersonal, communication and written skills
  • Ability to work under pressure and produce results.
  • Team player and High level of integrity
Requirements
  • MUST be a resident where the project is implemented.
  • Speak the community/local language of the district.
  • Have a valid National ID card or valid Sierra Leonean Passport
  • Write monthly, quarterly and yearly reports on the deliveries of the project.
  • Willingness to travel across the project site and visit the TALLE-RSL Head Officer to provide updates and attend feedback sessions.

To apply for this job, kindly send an application online to info@tallersl.org. Alternatively, submit hard copies: of your cover letter, and updated CV with details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent supervisor to:

The Senior Program Manager

TALLE–RSL

49 Circular Road, Freetown

The closing date for receipt of all applications is 18th March 2024 on or before 3 pm

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Qualified women who are residents in Kenema and Port Loko districts are encouraged to Apply.