Position: Technical Advisor - Inclusive Education (Based in Kathmandu, Nepal)

CARE Nepal is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Technical Advisor - Inclusive Education for the anticipated five-year USAID Nepal Equity and Inclusion in Education project. The project will support the Government of Nepal in reducing the number of children who are out of school and improving learning outcomes for marginalized students. It will provide targeted support to municipalities to implement evidence based interventions that are driven by the local context in agreed upon provinces (Province 2, Sudurpaschim, and/or Karnali). Areas of focus include: decreasing financial barriers to education, increasing use of targeted non-formal education, increasing enrollment in early childhood education, increasing relevance of education; improving equitable teaching practices, and supporting schools to implement prioritized minimum enabling conditions. This position is subject to project award, funding, and USAID approval.

Position Description: 

The Technical Advisor - Inclusive Education will provide technical, evidence-based leadership to the overall project aiming to improve students’ enrollment, retention and learning outcomes in early childhood education and early grades (ECED-grade 5) in Nepal’s community schools. The Technical Advisor share and ensure that the project and its partners implement innovative and best practices to strengthen school-based management systems, build capacity of teachers in inclusive and equitable practices; foster community support for education that includes addressing inequitable gender norms and financial barriers to education; and improve gender, social and disability inclusive infrastructure. S/he will support CARE to provide technical guidance and lead initiatives with government stakeholders and partners that promote early childhood education and early grade learning outcomes. S/he will build and maintain strong relationships with government counterparts and other relevant stakeholders and ensure high quality project design and interventions, resource allocation, and technical support for achieving the project’s key result areas. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership in the design, development, and implementation of project activities. Coordinate technical support for project partners, key stakeholders, and the Government of Nepal.
• Support the development and/or implementation of tools, approaches and best practices to increase the enrollment, retention and learning outcomes in early childhood education and early grade education. This should focus on both demand (i.e., families, learners) and supply (i.e., schools, teachers, government partners).
• Guide the project strategy for community engagement to address barriers and surface solutions to improving early childhood education and early grade education, including inequitable gender norms, parent/caregiver involvement in schools, and financial barriers.
• Contribute to the development of school curriculum and/or professional development opportunities for teachers and ECED facilitators to learn more inclusive and participatory teaching methods. 
• Contribute to the project’s M&E, learning, and research to support adaptive management, decision-making and advocacy. 
• Ensure that new knowledge and best practices in relevant areas are shared and contribute to the knowledge base through participation in local, regional and global partner and technical networks, scientific forums and other knowledge-sharing platforms.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s in Education, Social Sciences or a relevant field with 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in early childhood/early grade education projects in Nepal or Bachelor’s with additional 3 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in several of the following areas: gender, equity and social  inclusion in education; community and parent engagement in local school systems, non-formal and/or accelerated education, increasing enrollment and retention in early childhood education, increasing relevance of education; improving equitable and participatory teaching practices, and supporting schools to implement prioritized minimum enabling conditions.
• Experience in curriculum and training design, including knowledge of how best to integrate new curricula into existing systems and effectively roll-out training.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diversity of stakeholders and strong coordination and facilitation skills. 
• Thought leadership in early education and demonstrated experience in advancing the field in Nepal and/or regionally.
• Experience working with USAID projects is preferred.
• An understanding of how to use project data for adaptive management.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and capacity to work both independently and as a collaborative team player.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as evidenced in previous management positions and programming. Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
• Flexibility and ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication skills in English and fluency in Nepali.