Foundational Learning Specialist

Join AIR as a Foundational Learning Specialist with our International Development Division (IDD) and make a difference, improving the quality of life for individuals and communities in low and middle income countries. AIR’s IDD work spans the globe with projects in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America, and the Middle East.

Our IDD team is committed and engaged because we drive positive change in the following areas:

• Agriculture, food, and nutrition
• Early childhood development and education
• Refugees and migration
• Social protection
• Water, sanitation, and infrastructure
• Women's empowerment
• Workforce development

Use your experience, knowledge, and education to help us deliver on our mission: to contribute to a better, more equitable world.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. 

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 responsibilities for the position include:

The Foundational Learning Specialist will help build foundational language, literacy, and numeracy instruction within AIR’s International Development Program. The ideal candidate would have significant experience in implementing early grade language and literacy projects, as well as the ability to conduct applied research and capture learning to improve interventions with a focus on effective literacy instruction, teacher training, material development, curriculum improvement, and effective parent and community supports. The candidate will also be expected to support and lead foundational literacy business development activities. Responsibilities will include:

• Assist to conceptualize & develop effective reading, math, and language instruction for students in developing nations.
• Develop primary school curricular materials based on effective pedagogical methods.
• Create literacy and numeracy instruction frameworks that guide project work in conjunction with host country governments & other partners.
• Design & implement professional development activities for teachers on early grade literacy and numeracy instruction.
• Support the evaluation of foundational learning programs, including supporting the design & implementation of, early literacy and math assessment, such as the Early Grade Reading/Math Assessment (EGRA/EGMA).
• Coordinate & support in linking evaluations & EGRA/EGMA results to development of materials, teacher training & parental/community support for language skills acquisition.
• Lead and support proposals, capture efforts, and other client engagement for new business development
• Analyze project work and manage tasks on large international projects.
• Assist in project quality assurance.
• Share findings via publication of papers, reports, webinars, and presentation of seminars.
• Around 20-30% domestic & international travel involved.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s or PhD or EdD degree in one of the following fields: early grade literacy, curriculum and instruction, elementary teacher education, educational leadership, international education, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Language Acquisition or related field with at least 6 years (with BA) or 4 years (with MA) of experience working on literacy programming in developing country contexts
• Substantial developing country experience
• Strong knowledge of curriculum design including scripted lessons and teacher and student guides
• Experience overseeing the design of instructional materials such as decodable and leveled readers
• Strong knowledge of diagnostic and curriculum-embedded assessment to inform instruction
• Experience writing and publishing education research a plus but not required

 Skills:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment
• Strong interpersonal skills with the capacity to collaborate effectively with teams in diverse cultural environments
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills
• Ability to develop and conduct training workshops related to literacy
• Ability to travel 20-30% of time

• Fluent English speaker 

• Competence in additional languages a plus but not required

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

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 reference and background checks.

AIR’s Total Rewards Program , is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated annual salary of $85,000 to $115,000. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment .

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to [email protected] .

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov . You can also report it to your state attorney general . Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams .