Assessment Specialist

AIR is seeking an Assessment Specialist for the USAID-funded Bridge to Middle School. This multi-year activity will build the capacity of Morocco’s Ministry of National Education (MEN) to implement new, student-centered curricula in Arabic and selected science subjects (grades 4–9) as well as English (grades 7–9), in ways that have measurable impacts on learning outcomes. AIR will lead the development of student assessments aligned with the revised upper primary (UP) and middle school (MS) curricula and the Global Proficiency Framework (GPF). AIR will support capacity building for teachers, inspectors, and MEN officers for sustained assessment management.

This position is based in Morocco. Morocco citizens are encouraged to apply. 

 AIR’s IDD strives to improve the quality of life in developing countries by using rigorous research and evaluation to enhance education and social development. We work across a wide range of topics including workforce development, agriculture/food/nutrition, early childhood development, education, refugees and migration, social protection, water/sanitation/infrastructure, and women's empowerment in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America as well as the Middle East. The IDD generates policy-relevant evidence through rigorous monitoring, evaluations, and research; helps improve program design through continuous learning and adaptation; and works with local organizations and governments to build sustainable solutions based on evidence.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here .

The Assessment Specialist will lead or contribute to activities including Bridge’s mandatory study, curricular content in Arabic and science, continuous student assessment, periodic student assessment, and training and capacity building. The Assessment Specialist will have technical skills related to student assessment and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) demonstrated through previous experience in Morocco’s education sector. AIR psychometricians and researchers based in the U.S. will provide supervision and support to the Assessment Specialist on activities and deliverables that AIR provides to FHI 360 under the three activity objectives. The responsibilities for the position include:

• Conduct analysis of TIMSS and PIRLS data; advise on the selection of study schools based on outcomes of analysis
• Provide inputs on study design including research questions, sample design, sample selection, and instruments
• Contribute to working groups aligning the UP and MS curricula to the GPF in Arabic and English and to TIMSS in science
• Develop and implement approach to improving UP and MS assessments at the classroom and systems levels aligned with the grade-level benchmarks in the GPF
• Lead local efforts to develop systems-level assessments with MEN in Grades 4 to 6 and Grades 7 to 9 through analysis of standard and frameworks, organizing workshops for assessment development and benchmarking, and collaborating with other international partners in Morocco
• Support capacity building on topics such as use of data for decision-making, assessment development, benchmarking, scale-up of student assessment, data analysis, and technical reporting

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Master’s degree in education, statistics, educational measurement, development economics, or a related field
• At least 5 years on experience in education research or monitoring, evaluation, learning for activities in Morocco
• Experience with research or monitoring, evaluation, learning for USAID-funded education activities including standard performance indicators for education
• Experience developing student assessment instruments in Arabic, English, and/or science in Morocco for students in Grades 4 to 9
• Experience organizing workshops with MEN, teachers, and inspectors
• Experience organizing and executing training for data collection teams and implementing data quality control systems
• Experience with processing, management, cleaning, and analysis of student assessment data
• Experience writing quarterly reports, work plans, and technical reports
• Knowledge and familiarity with Morocco’s UP and MS curricula in Arabic, English, and/or science

 Skills:

• Excellent analytical skills coupled with proven ability in using visuals like graphs, charts, maps
• Skilled in use of statistical software systems such as SPSS, Stata, or R. Ability to use and mainstream ODK based mobile data collection software.
• Strong communication skills.
• Professional proficiency in English and Modern Standard Arabic.
• Fluency in French and Darija preferred but not required. 

Disclosures:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

#LI- MP1

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.