Multiple Positions – USAID Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity, Rwanda
School-to-School International (STS) is a nonprofit organization based in Pacifica, California committed to improving the lives and learning of girls and boys worldwide through thoughtful research, practice, and partnership. Since 2002, we have worked in over 50 countries providing assistance in research and evaluation, curriculum and training, and policy and planning.
STS seeks a full-time role for the anticipated USAID-funded Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity in Rwanda, as described below. STS is dedicated to a Deaf-led, Rwandan-led approach to this Activity. For this position, citizens of Rwanda are strongly preferred. STS strongly encourages Deaf individuals and/or individuals fluent in a sign language to apply.
Description of the Project. The purpose of the upcoming four-year USAID Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity is to improve reading outcomes for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing in pre-primary and lower primary schools in Rwanda. The activity aims to do so within three objectives: improve parental, community, youth, and local organizational capacity to support Rwandan Sign Language (RSL) acquisition and literacy for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing; improve access to quality, relevant bilingual (RSL to Kinyarwanda and English literacy) teaching methodologies to improve reading outcomes in pre-primary and lower primary learners who are deaf or hard of hearing; and strengthen national and decentralized Government of Rwanda systems to better serve learners who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Location: The position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda.
Please note: positions are contingent upon funding and donor approval.
Bilingual Deaf Education Expert
The Bilingual Deaf Education Expert will lead technical implementation of the Activity. The Bilingual Deaf Education Expert will work in close collaboration with the Chief of Party and other technical staff to lead the design and implementation of teacher and community training programs in Deaf education, with instruction in RSL and Kinyarwanda. The Bilingual Deaf Education Expert will be directly responsible for providing mentorship and capacity strengthening to Rwandan-based organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and other Rwandan-colleagues on Deaf education and technical implementation. S/he will collaborate closely with the other technical staff to conduct baseline and endline assessments. S/he will lead technical assistance in Deaf education best practices to the Ministry of Education, Rwanda Basic Education Board, and Rwandan civil society organizations. S/he will supervise and coordinate the work of expert reading consultants as needed. Expertise in bilingual Deaf education (e.g., knowledge about causes of language deprivation and how to prevent it, early sign language acquisition, language and literacy development, RSL/Kinyarwanda bi-literacy instructional methods) and professional working proficiency in sign language is required. Native or near native fluency in RSL is strongly desired.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience in bilingual education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, including teacher education, early grade reading instruction and research, and parental engagement
- Substantial knowledge of Deaf culture, Deaf community, and Deaf organizations
- Understanding of disability-inclusive pedagogy, including the Universal Design for Learning framework
- Demonstrated ability to work with national governments, development partners, local government structures, and OPDs
- Fluency in written English and a sign language
Preferred, but not required, qualifications:
- University degree (or equivalent experience) in education, international development, Deaf studies, or related field
- Written or spoken Kinyarwanda and fluency in Rwandan Sign Language (RSL) are strongly preferred
- Professional experience working in sub-Saharan Africa or other resource-limited settings
- Demonstrated experience in capacity strengthening and institutional strengthening
- Experience working on USAID-funded projects or on other grant-funded projects
To apply, please email your resume/CV, three professional references, and a cover letter via the apply button. In the subject line of the email, please list the position for which you are applying and the country. For example, “Bilingual Deaf Education Expert, Rwanda.” Please submit a separate application and email for each position for which you are applying.
Please submit your application(s) by April 15, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
STS is an equal employment opportunities (EEO) employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
