AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (BANGLADESH

AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (BANGLADESH)

Early Childhood Development Support Program - Bangladesh (ECDSP-B)
Professional Development Trainer (Pre-Primary) - Terms of Reference

Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh) is seeking suitable, motivated individuals to fill the position of Professional Development Trainer (Pre-Primary).  The position is based in Dhaka with frequent travel to the field, carries a competitive salary package, and requires excellent written and oral communications skills in Bangla and English.  This is an initial one-year contract position, with possibility for extension. Interested candidates should send their applications electronically to akf.ecdsp@gmail.com by April 3, 2012.  The application should include a current CV with contact email address and phone number; name and contact information for 3 references; information about present and expected salary and benefits; date of availability; and a 1-page statement on how the candidate meets the requirements.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 
Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh) will be piloting a competency-based approach to Pre-Primary Professional Development for teachers and supervisors.  This pilot will be undertaken with the support of a Canadian education institution with relevant expertise and selected AKF(B) partners in the field.
The Professional Development Trainer (Pre-Primary) will report jointly to the Program Team Leader and the Program Director, and will be responsible for the following:

• Working closely with the Canadian education institution and AKF(B) to develop and deliver pre-primary professional development pilot, including:
• Provide relevant documents and other information on the Bangladeshi ECD context to the Canadian education institution, as necessary;
• Undertake readings, trainings, assignments and other professional development assignments as required by the Canadian education institution to build their own knowledge, skills, and attitudes, on ECD, on training, and on mentoring/coaching/supervision, as well as to improve the application of these;
• Act as the anchors on the Bangladesh end for the development and administration of pre-primary supervisor and teacher knowledge and competency sets (including validation and data collection);
• With the assistance of the Canadian education institution and based on the competency sets and assessments, develop training modules for the pilot program (including translation into Bangla);
• With the assistance of the Canadian education institution, deliver the modules in the field to pre-primary teachers and supervisors as required;
• With the assistance of the Canadian education institution, undertake the supervision and follow-up process in the field, as required;
• With the assistance of the Canadian education institution, undertake the candidate assessment process, as required;
• With the assistance of the Canadian education institution, undertake the monitoring and evaluation process that will measure the effectiveness of the pilot modules, as required.
• Leading the process of analysis, synthesis and articulation of key lessons, challenges, risks and mitigation strategies emerging from the pilot program.
• Facilitating the sharing of information and good practices among partners and stakeholders, both within Bangladesh as well as internationally.
• Keeping abreast of developments (policies and best practices) in the ECD sub-sector in Bangladesh and internationally.
• Contributing to project work planning, budgeting, and reporting processes as required.
• Participating in quarterly Partner’s Forum meetings and representing ECDSP-B at other ECD-related meetings, workshops and conferences as required.
• Liaising with other AKF/AKDN projects and personnel, as required.
• Collaborating with others in the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to ensure that all office operating procedures and practices are adhered to, and that teamwork and good morale prevail.
• Other relevant duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• A graduate degree, preferably in the field of education, with specialization in early childhood development or pre-primary.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English and Bangla.
• 5-7 years of experience working in the ECD/pre-primary sector.
• Outstanding training, facilitation, mentoring and coaching skills.
• Proven experience in working with and training teachers and supervisors at the field level.
• Some knowledge and experience with research methods, including research tool development and validation.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Superior organizational, interpersonal and collaborative skills; ability to work independently, multi-task and meet deadlines; computer proficient (particularly remote communication); flexible, pro-active and dynamic. 

Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, not-for-profit, international development agency that promotes sustainable and equitable social development in low-income countries in Asia and Africa.  Aga Khan Foundation is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a renowned international agency working in areas of economic, social and cultural development. The various AKDN agencies work to improve living conditions and opportunities in designated regions of the developing world, with mandates that range from health, education, architecture and culture, institutional strengthening, and rural development, to the promotion of private sector enterprises. 
The Early Childhood Development Support Program - Bangladesh (ECDSP-B) is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), and implemented by Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh).  ECDSP-B is designed to strengthen Bangladeshi capacity in ECD programming, seeking to improve access to and quality of early childhood development (ECD) programs for the families of poor children in Bangladesh.  The program works with a number of large and small NGOs to expand the scope of their current ECD programs, as well as to innovate quality improvements in these programs.  In addition, the program works with BRAC University's Institute of Educational Development to improve advocacy, professional development and research in ECD.