Textbook Development & Supplementary Materials Officer
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Educate/Train/Teaching
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: Negotiable
Job Summary:
The Textbook Development & Supplementary Materials officer will be responsible for developing the grade 4 textbook and Teaching & Learning Materials under the BEST project. He/She will work closely with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), project partners, and other stakeholders to ensure that the new materials are aligned with the objectives of the project and meet the educational needs of Grade 4 students in Cambodia. This role involves contributing to the creation of innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based educational resources that support literacy and "reading to learn" transitions for students.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Support Textbook and TLM Development
- Assist in the design, development, and refinement of the Grade 4 Khmer textbook and supplementary materials, in collaboration with the MoEYS technical working group, local NGOs, and other stakeholders.
- Participate in the creation of a framework document to guide the modernization of textbooks and TLMs, ensuring they reflect 21st-century pedagogical principles, diversity, and inclusivity.
- Support the development of a “reading to learn” approach by integrating enhanced library services, project-based learning, and extracurricular activities into the textbooks and TLMs.
- Ensure the integration of continuous assessment and a Rapid Response System (RRS) to help struggling students, as outlined in the curriculum modernization process.
- Facilitate Testing and Piloting of Materials
- Contribute to the piloting and dry-run testing of textbooks and TLMs in a sample of schools, ensuring that the materials are effective and practical for use in real classroom settings.
- Assist in gathering feedback from teachers, students, and administrators during the piloting phase to inform revisions and improvements to the textbooks and TLMs.
- Support revising and finalizing textbooks and TLMs based on findings from the piloting phase and the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) processes.
- Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with MoEYS, project partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the textbooks and TLMs meet national education standards and effectively address the needs of both teachers and students.
- Participate in workshops, consultations, and focus groups to gather input and feedback on textbook and TLM designs, and ensure that materials are culturally relevant and appropriate.
- Coordinate with external experts and technical partners, including private sector entities, to explore innovative solutions such as digital learning tools and edtech integration to enhance the effectiveness of textbooks and TLMs.
- Integration of Innovation and Technology
- Assist in the integration of new innovations into textbooks and TLMs, including the use of digital resources, QR codes, and a readability formula app to ensure text complexity is appropriate for Grade 4 learners.
- Support the design of re-usable educational tools, such as laminated materials, games, and exercises, that can be used to reinforce literacy skills and research-based learning activities.
- Help identify opportunities to integrate technology into TLMs to promote interactive and self-directed learning, and ensure accessibility for all students.
- Quality Control and Revision
- Ensure quality of textbooks and supplementary materials through participation in ongoing reviews, edits, and revisions to improve accuracy, clarity, and educational effectiveness.
- Collaborate with the project’s MEL team to track effectiveness of the textbooks and TLMs and participate in revising materials based on feedback and assessment outcomes.
- A Bachelor’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
- At least 3 years of experience in textbook or educational material development, preferably in the context of primary education.
- Strong understanding of literacy development, pedagogical strategies, and inclusive education practices.
- Familiarity with the Cambodian education system and MoEYS curriculum standards.
- Experience working with curriculum development teams and stakeholders to design educational materials.
- Knowledge of educational technologies and digital learning tools.
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English; knowledge of Khmer is an asset.
Component Head for Curriculum Design & Development (Closed)
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Educate/Train/Teaching
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: Negotiable
Job Summary:
The Component Head for Curriculum Design & Development will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and quality assurance of Core Textbook Curriculum Design and Teaching & Learning Materials Development. The Component Head’s responsibilities include conducting a situational analysis, leading the development and testing of Grade 4 Khmer textbooks and supplementary materials, creating a supporting framework document and reinforcing practical package to operationalize extracurricular activities and ensuring the integration of inclusive, gender-responsive practices across all educational resources. The Component Head will also be involved in component-specific and cross-component meetings to enhance communication, learning, and problem solving throughout program implementation.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Situational Analysis & Teacher and Student Needs Assessment
- Lead the development of a framework and tools for conducting a rapid situational analysis of students’ and teachers’ capacity and needs.
- Collaborate with MoEYS technical working groups and stakeholders to assess teachers' proficiency, students’ literacy levels, and social-emotional learning (SEL) skills.
- Oversee the administration of online surveys and in-person focus group discussions (FGDs) with students (grades 4-6), teachers, and administrators to gather data.
- Ensure assessment includes inclusive, gender-responsive practices and behaviors for teachers.
- Development, Testing, and Refinement of Grade 4 Khmer Textbooks and TLMs
- Lead the design and modernization of the Grade 4 Khmer textbook and supplementary materials in collaboration with the MoEYS working group and other local stakeholders.
- Oversee the development of key documents, including principles for textbook and TLM modernization, focusing on the transition from prescriptive to reflective teacher guidance, promoting diversity and inclusion, and integrating SEL into the curriculum.
- Supervise the pilot testing of textbooks and TLMs and ensure the collection of feedback for revisions and finalization.
- Lead the use of digital tools (e.g., QR codes, edtech solutions) to enhance resource accessibility and integrate the "reading to learn" approach.
- Extracurricular Activities Framework and Tools Development
- Assist in development of a framework and practical package to promote extracurricular activities for Grade 4 students.
- Collaborate with KAPE, MoEYS, and other partners to integrate SEL, peer tutoring, remedial support, and project-based learning into extracurricular activities.
- Assist in the integration of edtech solutions to support reading and literacy development.
- Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate closely with the MoEYS technical working group, local NGOs, and private sector partners to ensure a collaborative, inclusive approach to curriculum and material development.
- Facilitate smooth organization of workshops, consultations, and working group meetings to ensure effective textbook and TLM development.
- Ensure all activities are in line with USAID requirements, educational standards, and the overall project objectives.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Ensure all activities under Component 1 are monitored and evaluated according to the project's monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework.
- Review feedback from piloting and implement necessary revisions based on findings.
- Provide regular progress updates to the Project Director, stakeholders, and donors, including reporting on key indicators and milestones.
- Master’s degree in education, curriculum development, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in educational curriculum development, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Proven experience in managing textbook or teaching materials development projects, preferably in early grade education or literacy.
- Strong understanding of inclusive education practices, gender-responsive teaching methods, and social-emotional learning (SEL) integration.
- Experience working with government ministries (preferably MoEYS), local NGOs, and private sector partners.
- Familiarity with USAID-funded projects or similar international development initiatives is a plus.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with experience working in cross-cultural and multi-stakeholder environments.
- Proficiency in using digital tools for curriculum and material development (e.g., QR codes, EdTech applications).
- Familiarity with the Cambodian education system and local pedagogical needs.
- Fluency in Khmer and English (written and spoken) is required.
