Jobs and Opportunities at EdTech Hub
About EdTech Hub
Our goal is to empower people making decisions about technology in education.
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the global learning crisis was affecting millions of children around the world.
Technology could play a huge role in helping to solve this crisis, if used appropriately.
There are thousands of tools, products, services, and ideas for using technology in education. New ones appear almost every day. For decision-makers, the choices can be overwhelming. The EdTech Hub takes away that burden.
We do the research, to rigorous academic standards. We try out new ideas by supporting innovators. We advise partners as they plan and implement education programs, finding the right role for technology.
With EdTech Hub’s help, decision-makers inside and outside government can benefit from free access to high quality professional research and advice.
Current Opportunities
EdTech Hub Specialist Network: Lesotho Consultant
About the EdTech Programme
R4D is the prime contractor for the FCDO Directorate for Research and Innovation Hub on Technology for Education (EdTech Hub) programme.
The aim of the EdTech Hub is to empower people by giving them the evidence they need to make decisions about technology in education as part of a global non-profit partnership focusing on research, innovation, and engagement.
EdTech Hub:
● Undertakes and funds robust and rigorous research in key topic areas
● Delivers support in up to seven core countries to develop and deliver Sandboxes to learn about technology in education in a specific environment
● Delivers Technical Advice and Helpdesk support to FCDO, UNICEF and World Bank advisors as well as government officials on technology in education
● Functions as a Hub and shares a range of Learning Products to make evidence available to a wide audience.
EdTech Hub is delivered through a consortium of R4D and five core sub-contractors as well as range of country and activity specific local and international sub-contractors. From a management perspective, it is a complex programme funded by multiple donors including various departments within the FCDO, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank and UNICEF.
What we’re looking for
EdTech Hub is looking to add technical experts to its Special Network, a global network of on-call education professionals. The Specialist Network contributes to the Hub’s overall mission to build and apply the global evidence base around the use of technology in education in a practical way that also supports decision-makers. Consultants who are part of the Specialist Network will be called on by EdTech Hub to carry out specific assignments based on their area(s) of expertise. Network members will also have opportunities to connect, network, and learn from their peers around the globe.
EdTech Hub seeks applicants with experience developing, implementing and / or evaluating education policies and programmes in Lesotho. Applicants based in Lesotho who have deep knowledge of the national education and political landscapes are preferred.
EdTech Hub seeks to ensure equal opportunities and an inclusive working environment for all team members. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. We embrace diversity and difference.
Through this role, EdTech Hub is seeking to continue building its presence in Pakistan by offering technical assistance and coordination support to strengthen approaches in using EdTech to enhance learning outcomes by co-leading the design and implementation of EdTech Hub’s country strategy in Pakistan.
Responsibilities
The Consultant will work with our Helpdesk and/or our Country Engagement teams and may have a range of responsibilities. These may include one or more of the following tasks:
- Prepare research or synthesise existing literature on country context and EdTech tools and innovations
- Prepare guidance materials, draft strategies and related policy advice related to EdTech for country government and donors
- Provide expert advice to country governments and their partners on EdTech issues
- Support education implementers to design-for-scale through rapid data collection and user testing of their models
- Develop and facilitate workshops comprising key stakeholders (government and development partners) to support capacity development and/or program and policy design
- Provide support to a new area of work that provides evidence-based technical input on the use of technology to support the design and implementation of EdTech initiatives in Lesotho
- Given the flexible and demand-driven nature of the work, selection into the Hub Specialist Network does not guarantee a minimum amount of work. Consultants should clearly communicate their availability to allow for project planning.
Required Skills
- Extensive knowledge of the education and political landscape of Lesotho
- Preference for candidates based in Southern Africa, with a strong preference for Lesotho
- Experience working and/or living in Southern Africa is strongly preferred
- Expertise in digital learning and/or development of EdTech and education strategies, policies, and research/evaluation documents
- Experience working with ministries of education and/or multilateral and bilateral education funders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Highly collaborative and approachable
- Strong meeting facilitation, interpersonal, and project management skills
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Candidates from Southern Africa are strongly encouraged to apply.
