Programming & Training Specialist

Programming & Training Specialist

• Category: Educate/Train/Teaching
• Type : Job Opportunity
• Location: Phnom Penh
• Schedule: Full-time
• Salary: N/A

• Technical Training
• Peace Corps conducts an extensive Pre-Service Training (PST) to prepare PCT/Vs for their service, as well as various in- service training (IST) events that provide PCVs and their Cambodian partners with timely knowledge and skills. The PTS is in charge of the learning and assessment of all technical competencies that PCT/Vs must learn and demonstrate during their service.
• Collaborate with Programming & Training (P&T) staff in designing, planning, and executing a comprehensive technical training strategy (including online and in-person components) for PCT/Vs that covers their complete term of service (around 27 months).
• Assess needs and feedback from Cambodian ministry partners and schools to determine the scope, design, and content of TEFL training.
• Review and develop goals, objectives, and session outlines of technical training events, activities, and practicums.
• Contribute to the design of the Calendar of Training Events (COTE), including appropriate sequencing of classroom sessions, virtual learning, practicum, and technical assignments.
• Lead recruitment, training, and supervision of short-term technical training staff and support recruitment of other short-term staff.
• Identify and develop TEFL training materials. Coordinate procurement, organization, and utilization of materials during training.
• Serves as the lead Technical Trainer for trainees during the 10-week period of PST.
• Assess backgrounds, needs, and abilities of PCT/Vs and solicit feedback to determine most effective training methods and materials. Make adjustments in the schedule and sessions as appropriate.
• Lead the facilitation of in-person and online technical training sessions using interactive and participatory methods and incorporating student-centered learning, adult learning, experiential learning, and community-based training approaches.
• Guide Trainees in planning, organizing, and implementing the practicum activities and coach Trainees to develop effective intercultural strategies and habits for adjusting to working in a Cambodian classroom with a Cambodian teacher.
• Provide detailed feedback and observations regarding the performance and competencies of each Trainee required to qualify for service. Make recommendations for specific interventions on any performance or behavioral issues up to and including termination of service.
• Provide ongoing direct feedback to Trainees and provide guidance and coaching to improve performance.
• Make Volunteer assignment and site placement recommendations to PMs and DPT based on direct observation and assessment of Trainees’ performance, experience, competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Coordinate with TM regularly to adjust training design, content, sequence, schedule, etc. as needed and compile a final report of the TEFL training that includes recommendations for improvements in future training events.
• Research and consistently refresh knowledge of the Cambodian education system, Peace Corps’ programming and training requirements and materials, best practices in the TEFL field, and English teaching in Cambodia to ensure that Peace Corps is meeting the needs of Cambodian schools, incorporating best practices, meeting required standards, and improving training and support for Volunteers.
• Collaborate with other facets of training, such as Language & Culture, Health, Security, etc., in cross-training efforts.
• Act as a resource person for Trainees on technical and cultural topics of interest, striving to present objective, unbiased views of Cambodian work culture and practices, and serve as a model and moral support for the Trainees.
• Participate and contribute to other training events such as Project Design & Management training and Supervisor & Counterpart conferences as needed.
• Support the TM and Training Assistant (TA) with logistics and administrative matters of trainings, conferences, and workshops as needed
• Technical Support
• Peace Corps Volunteers teach English and train teachers of English in Cambodian public schools for a term of 2 years in mostly rural communities. The PTS ensures that PCVs continue to improve their technical skills and meet technical competencies throughout their service.
• Coordinate with the Programming staff to assess technical needs of Volunteers related to teaching such as school resources, student motivation, classroom management, and working with counterparts.
• Establish regular contact with PCT/Vs to provide individualized guidance, coaching, and feedback on work performance, strategies for classroom teaching, professionalism, and interpersonal relations in the context of Cambodian schools.
• Visit Volunteers at site to observe teaching, provide feedback and guidance, and ensure that teaching strategies reach the standards expected by host schools, Cambodian ministry partners, and Peace Corps.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate PCV job performance. Analyze and use data from quarterly reports to improve and target technical support and training.
• Maintain regular communication with PCVs through email/newsletter updates, technical check-in calls, and intervention calls as needed.
• Utilize online platforms to provide virtual and distance learning support by developing content for online courses, leading virtual training sessions, facilitating community of practice calls and small group discussions, providing one-on-one technical support and coaching, and contributing resources to a digital library.
• Proactively develop, produce, recommend, and disseminate physical and digital resources that support PCT/Vs’ teaching activities.
• Connect PCT/Vs to human resources such as staff, local experts, organizations, and fellow Volunteers.
• Coordinate and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and technical support for Volunteers. Collect, curate, and promote Volunteer produced resources and best practices for use in training, technical support, and reporting.