The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Present in Somalia since the 1980s, the IRC implements humanitarian and development programming across various regions in Somalia in sectors such as WASH, health, nutrition, protection and women’s empowerment. The IRC currently has headquarters in Mogadishu and field presence in Garowe, Gaalkayo, Dhusamareb and Baidoa.
Job and project overview
The IRC is seeking a qualified Curriculum Development Specialist to support the implementation of a project to equip youth, particularly adolescent girls and women, with basic literacy, numeracy, cross-cutting socioemotional and life skills, and foundational vocational skills to enhance their livelihoods.
Scope of work
The Curriculum Development Specialist will be responsible for designing, reviewing, and improving curricula for basic literacy and numeracy skills, cross-cutting socioemotional and life skills, and basic vocational skills to improve livelihoods. The Specialist will lead curriculum revisions, integrating innovative instructional methodologies and technologies to improve educational effectiveness. In collaboration with educational institutions, government agencies, and stakeholders, the expert will ensure the curriculum meets the evolving educational needs of learners. Ensure that the curriculum is inclusive, gender-sensitive, and aligned with the best international practices. Additionally, the Curriculum Development Specialist will provide training and capacity-building for teachers and instructors, delivering workshops, seminars, and professional development programs to enhance their skills in implementing the revised curriculum. The expert will also review existing literature to identify emerging trends and best practices, promoting innovative approaches to curriculum improvement.
The position will be based in Dhusamareb or Kismayo, with travel to the respective project sites. The Curriculum Development Expert will report to the Team Leader.
Key responsibilities
• Design relevant and effective instructional materials with clear and appropriate learning goals.
• Review and evaluate existing curriculum materials.
• Integrate innovative teaching methodologies and technology-driven learning solutions into the curriculum to enhance engagement and effectiveness.
• Conduct gap analyses to identify areas for curriculum improvement and implement changes to enhance educational quality.
• Work collaboratively with educational institutions, government bodies, and stakeholders to ensure curricula are contextually relevant and effective.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of curricula and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and assessment results.
• Develop and deliver workshops, training programs, and professional development seminars for teachers and educational staff on implementing new curricula.
• Provide technical support to educators in adapting instructional materials and assessment strategies to align with updated curricula.
• Provide expert-level consultation to educational institutions on curriculum and learning outcome design, development, improvement, and implementation.
• Monitor and evaluate curriculum implementation, assessing impact through formative and summative assessments.
• Review available literature to identify best practices and emerging trends in curriculum development and promote the adoption of innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes.
• Provide guidance on the development and revision of course materials, assessments, and learning resources to ensure alignment with program-level learning outcomes.
• Ensure curriculum design and implementation adhere to national regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
• Advise education authorities on policy development related to curriculum design, assessment frameworks, and teacher training.
• Maintain alignment between curriculum standards, learning outcomes, and competency-based education models.
• Collaborate with project team members to successfully deliver the project objectives.
Required qualifications & competencies:
• Master’s degree in education specializing in curriculum studies/development or teacher education.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in curriculum development and review.
• In-depth knowledge of and insights into accelerated basic education and training in Somalia.
• A proven track in developing and reviewing curriculum material in basic literacy, numeracy, social-emotional and life skills, including climate change adaptation skills.
• Experience developing and implementing effective capacity-strengthening models and approaches for organizations and individuals.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the economic, and educational context of women and youth in Somalia.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships and work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, donors, and education stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of operational management, fiduciary risk, attention to Value for Money and the importance of learning and continual improvement.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills including conflict resolution abilities.
• Excellent communication in both English and Somali.
• Excellent people management skills, interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication and ease in managing a multi-cultural team.
• Ability to manage a large and varied workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
