The British Council is seeking an Academic Consultant  for its Continuous Professional Development in Basic and Secondary Education in the Americas project (Regional Technical Advisor: Continuous Professional Development Expert)

Location: Mexico, Colombia and Brazil
Apply by: 26 June 2019 11.59 pm Mexico/Colombia time
Start date: 15 July 2019 (Indicative)
End date: 30 March 2020

You can find information on how to apply below. 

Teacher Development in the Americas: project overview and objectives 

The British Council in the Americas region comprises a diverse range of 13 countries (Canada, United States, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago), of which eight are ODA-eligible. Major society issues in Colombia, Brazil, USA and Mexico are around inequalities and citizenship. Access to quality education is critical, linked with internationalisation and research collaboration, in a globalised economy. The main funding bodies are responding to this situation. According to the 2017 World Bank monitoring report, “Investing in people, particularly the poor, will be key to continuing recent social gains and reducing LAC’s persistent inequality…investment in education quality will play an important role in allowing the poor to contribute to and benefit from future economic growth. Additional emphasis should be placed on building skills, with a range of capacity building and reducing obstacles for both political and economic inclusion especially of vulnerable groups (women, youth, racial and peripheral minorities).” (World Bank, 2017 LAC Monitoring Report). 

In the Americas, we help young people reach their potential through engaging with the UK´s cultural resources, English, Education and the Arts. We will support them to be even more resilient, entrepreneurial and optimistic by giving them the skills they need and providing opportunities to develop an international outlook. 

The British Council's Continuous Professional Development in Basic and Secondary Education (cpdBSE) in the Americas project will establish connections between the UK and key countries in the Americas, influencing the thinking about teacher development among decision makers, teacher trainers and teachers. Its goal is to foster collaborative exchange between the Schools and ELT sectors in Basic Education. A particular focus on promoting collaboration between people working in teacher development in both sectors and promoting an evidence-based approach to their work will be given. The project will open the door for UK stakeholders to opportunities in the Americas.

Purpose of the contract

The contractor will provide professional services of academic consultancy, developing the activities of Regional Technical Advisor in the Continuous Professional Development in Basic and Secondary Education in the Americas project of the British Council and, when needed, supporting with the creation of key networks that will champion the project.

Responsibilities

The regional technical adviser will be a senior academic or practitioner with knowledge of the sector in Latin America and with significant experience in Continuous Professional Development in Basic and Secondary Education. Main responsibilities are:

  • Work with the Americas British Council Regional team to design and implement a regional strategy involving our three biggest country operations: Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, by analysing approaches taken to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in Basic and Secondary Education in the region. This will include activity planning and delivery (workshops, etc.), internal and external stakeholder management and overall strategy design;
  • The adviser will work closely with the Americas Regional EES and Schools Sector Leads, and liaise as necessary with the Global EES and Schools teams to ensure the strategy aligns with and addresses regional priority needs and opportunities, integrating best practice from the UK context; 
  • He/she will provide a critical lens to ensure the strategy and thematic focus matches up with the needs and nuances of the regional and local contexts; 
  • Active participation/facilitation at the initial kick-off workshop in Colombia (22 July, 2019) and subsequent workshops in Brazil and Mexico (actual dates to be confirmed)
  • Participation in the CPDBE Community of Practice prior to and after the workshops.
  • Participation in the CPDBE Steering Committee, including attendance (via videoconferencing) at monthly Steering Committee Meetings. 
  • He/she will also act as a key interlocutor with priority stakeholders and is responsible for helping to communicate and advocate for the strategy both internally and externally. 
  • Support the regional team with key internal and external stakeholder relationships, with a focus on securing high level buy-in for the strategy and the long-term sustainability and impact elements of it in future planning;
  • Provision of technical input and quality review of all technical documents; data collection during workshops, draft of strategy itself, and subsequent report writing of findings. 

Required qualifications and experience

Essential:

  • A Master’s degree in Education (or similar, relevant qualification)
  • A minimum of 7 years’ experience working in teaching or in continuous professional development in the basic education sector;
  • Strong experience in strategy and programme design; 
  • A strong understanding of the Latin American teaching and basic education context;
  • Familiarity with Government objectives for basic education in participating countries (Brazil, Mexico and Colombia);
  • Experience in the planning and delivery of workshops;
  • Able to produce high quality reporting and technical analysis and has experience in quality review 
  • Fluency in English (C1+) and Spanish (C1+)

Desirable:

  • A relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g. project management)
  • Strong networks in basic education in Colombia, Mexico and/or Brazil 
  • Understanding and familiarity of UK best practices in teacher development and basic education

How to apply

Please read carefully the full Terms of Reference. You can download the file below.

Candidates interested in applying are invited to submit:

  • their curriculum vitae; 
  • a cover letter (max.1 page) describing how their experience matches the key responsibilities and essential qualifications in these terms of reference;
  • references from at least 2 clients, with contact details.

Please submit by 26 June, the above to Graham Stanley at graham.stanley@britishcouncil.org. The email subject should be ‘Application for Regional Technical Advisor: Continuous Professional Development Expert’.

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