English Language Lead

About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to help the government and people of Ethiopia strengthen the education system and work with experts in a dynamic consortium that is putting together a compelling and innovative bid for the forthcoming five-year “Transforming Education Programme in Ethiopia (TREE)”. As English Language Lead, you will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with frequent visits to specific regions to be covered by the programme and other locations as necessary.

You will report to the Consortium Technical Assistance (TA) Lead. Regular day to day liaison and coordination will be with regional management/staff and Concern Worldwide’s Technical Advisers in Ethiopia and at head office. You will work closely with relevant managers/staff in consortium member agencies and downstream partners and contractors, the Core Programme Management Team, the Ministry of Education, and other key stakeholders in education in Ethiopia.

This role is contingent on funding being secured.

Job Title: English Language Lead, FCDO Transforming Education in Ethiopia (TREE).

Reports to: Consortium TA Lead, Transforming Education in Ethiopia Project (TREE).

Terms: Fixed Term, Unaccompanied international posting.

Salary: TBC

Requirements: Regular travel within Ethiopia and occasional travel internationally as may be necessary.

About Concern: Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Concern believes that education is at the heart of development and is key to breaking the poverty cycle, and improving health, nutrition, income, and opportunities for all children. Our education programming aims to improve the lives of extremely poor and vulnerable children in a sustainable way by increasing access to high quality primary education and supporting wellbeing.

Background of the FCDO Transforming Education in Ethiopia Project:

In Ethiopia, many children are out of school or at risk of dropping out, in particular girls and other marginalised groups. Progress has been made in expanding education access for children across the country, however, since 2019 progress stalled due to conflict and instability, climate-induced shocks, and the impact of Covid-19 and wider macroeconomic challenges around inflation which exacerbated existing inequalities.

In response, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) aims to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes and increase access to education for girls and marginalised children through the ‘Transforming Education in Ethiopia’ project (2024-2028). The project will focus on three key components below:

• Teacher and school leader development: Improved quality of teaching and learning with a focus on continuous teacher professional development in targeted schools.
• English Language Teaching and Learning: Selected schools provide better teaching and learning in English Language as a subject, and improved use of English across the curriculum.
• Equity, Inclusion and Girls’ Education: Improved access and retention of the most marginalised children, particularly girls.

Role Purpose:

The English Language Lead will lead efforts to strengthen English language teaching and learning, a core focus of the programme. The role will focus on improving both the teaching of English as a subject and the cross-curricular use of English in line with Government of Ethiopia (GoE) policy. They will work closely with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Regional Education Bureaus (REBs) to create sustainable, cost-effective plans, and support teachers at both school and college levels through continuous teacher professional development and work with relevant institutions/organisations. The role also includes revising teacher training modules and developing resources, ensuring alignment with national strategies. They will engage with key stakeholders to help achieve project goals, implement, and institutionalise access to quality and safe education-related policies, and interventions.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct assessment of English language education including policies and practice at national and regional levels.
• Collaborate with the MoE and REBs to develop a costed plan for improving English teaching and cross-curricular English use informed by policies and practices at the national and regional level, and work with local government so that the plan is delivered well in selected woredas.
• Lead in the revision, development and dissemination of English language curriculum and teaching and learning materials for English, including digital materials, in collaboration with the MoE and REBs.
• Strengthen English teacher professional development networks through capacity building and engaging communities of practice.
• Provide technical support to Regional Leads in the roll out of the costed plan, regional capacity building, and continuous teacher professional development. Collaborate with MEAL staff to monitor the English language component of the programme.
• Conduct regular site visits to provide technical assistance and ensure effective implementation and monitoring of English language activities.
• Effectively communicate English language program implementation updates and findings to the Technical Assistance Lead, programme staff and external stakeholders, including the FCDO, to facilitate informed decision-making and coherence and coordination with other outcomes.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment with national policies and secure support for the programme’s English language initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with the delivery of English Language activities as part of overall risk management.
• Within this role, promote and help ensure adherence/compliance with Concern Worldwide’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies (including Programme Participant Protection, Child & vulnerable adult Safeguarding, Anti-Trafficking policies), Conflict of Interest Policy, Anti-Fraud Policy, and Modern Slavery Transparency Statement.
• Within this role, promote and help ensure accountability to programme participants and wider communities in line with Concern Worldwide’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Do No Harm principles and ensure high ethical standards throughout programme implementation.

Role Holder Requirements:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s or equivalent qualification in linguistics, education, English language, or related field. Master’s qualification is preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in English language teaching, learning pedagogy, curriculum development, and teacher training, preferably in multilingual contexts.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing English language teacher training programmes.
• Experience in conducting assessments and surveys to measure English language proficiency, teacher performance, and student outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of second language acquisition and effective English language teaching methodologies.
• Prior experience of operating effectively within complex and high-risk environments and managing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results in a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience using data to inform decision-making and programme adjustments.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to articulate complex information backed with evidence to advocate to and persuade influential stakeholders.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Desirable:

• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian education system and the role of English language as a medium of instruction and subject.
• Familiarity with MoE policies and strategies for English language education.
• Experience developing digital teaching and learning resources.
• Fluency in one or more Ethiopian languages.