Introduction

Creative Associates International is a dynamic and fast-growing professional service firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 plus countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Summary

The Technical Assistance Program (TAP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a five-year education and youth program that seeks to transform the organizational culture and improve the abilities within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth to ensure officials can implement desired reforms. Creative and its partners will provide technical assistance in the development, roll-out, and tracking of policies and procedures to incorporate international best practices for public education and youth programming. Among the many activities in the Jordan Technical Assistance Program, it will support curriculum development, promote inclusive learning techniques, improve the skills of teachers and school managers, and other tangible activities that ultimately support changing the organizational culture within the two ministries and relevant agencies. The program will further support Jordan’s outreach and behavioral change communications initiatives that are aimed at creating a culture of reading, the inclusion of vulnerable children, and increased youth engagement.

Position Summary:

TAP is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Learning Assessment Specialist to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Education's (MoE) Examination and Tests Directorate. The primary responsibilities will include building the MoE's capacity to conduct diagnostic studies, setting benchmarks and targets, and supporting the implementation process of the learning assessment component, particularly as it pertains to the Remedial Education Plan.

Additionally, the Senior Learning Assessment specialist will oversee the operations of the Item Banking (IB) firm. One of the main responsibilities of this position is to strengthen the MoE and the National Center for Curriculum Development (NCCD) in their efforts to implement and make optimal use of the item banking system. This system will be instrumental for the development of both online and paper-based educational assessments. Beyond its primary use, the system will offer functionalities like online test administration, marking, data management, and score reporting.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Senior Learning Assessment Specialist will report to the MEL Director.

Responsibilities:

 Diagnostic Study

• Support the development of study plans, as well as the creation and revision of test items, questionnaires, and tools designed to assess academic learning, life skills, and learning conditions.
• Assist in piloting tools, analyzing the results to refine operational tools, and support the sampling, assessor training, data analysis, and reporting on study outcomes.
• Aid in reporting results, formulating recommendations, deriving lessons learned, and offering insights and data to guide policy deliberations. Ensure integration of best practices where required.
• Collaborate closely with the Examination team to evaluate the professional development needs of their technical staff. Enhance their skills and capabilities through continuous on-the-job support and structured training sessions.
• Support use of data for improving student learning, such as production of custom reports and guides to inform implementation of the National Remedial Plan.

Item Bank

• Oversee the implementation and customization processes of the IB system, management of test development process, including:
  • assigning user roles in the IB system and tracking their performance
  • importing assessment frameworks and blueprints,
  • item writing, acquisition, and content reviews,
  • assembly of pilot test forms,
  • pilot administration and item analysis,
  • creation of item cards, item-data reviews, and assembly of operational test forms.
  • production and administration of online assessments.
• Oversee and support capacity building programs for MoE and NCCD staff on IB system deployment and operation.
• Oversee and support capacity building of the relevant MoE and NCCD staff to utilize IB system for diagnostic assessments, formative assessments to support regular and remedial learning, national assessments, for High School exit Exam (Tawjihi), and for any other assessments as needed.
• Support TAP and the IB firm in conducting situational analyses to assess MoE and NCCD institutional capacity and needs to operationalize the IB system.
• Oversee and support organization of the study tour for MoE and NCCD item bank team composed of various user types (item writer, item reviewer, test development manager, item bank manager).
• Support TAP to design scope of work for next phases of operationalizing IB system.
• Support TAP and IB firm in building capacity of the MoE’s Examination and Testing Department for benchmark and target setting workshops utilizing IB system.
• Oversee and support the development, administration, analysis, and reporting of the diagnostic assessments.

 Coordination and Reporting:

• Coordinate regularly with Creative's Senior Technical Advisor for MEL to plan and execute learning assessment interventions.
• Liaise between the MoE, NCCD, TAP, and IB firm to monitor the progress of IB system implementation and customization as per the firm contract.
• Facilitate consultations, meetings, and reporting between MoE, NCCD, TAP, and IB firm.
• Conduct field visits as needed to ensure proper implementation of the IB system.
• Provide regular briefs and updates to the TAP team and relevant staff at the Ministry.
• Produce high-quality reports and presentations for various audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in development studies, education, social sciences, evaluation science, business or public administration, or related field, master's degree preferred.
• A minimum of 8+ years of general work experience and (5+) years of specific experience related to the position is required, more specifically:
  • Experience in test development, management of assessment data, and using item banking system for development of educational assessments.
  • Experience in psychometrics including both classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT).
  • Experience in working within the education sector in Jordan and/or other countries in the MENA Region.
  • Sound experience with educational technology applications such as learning management systems, computer-based instruction, computer-based testing, and educational dashboards.
  • Sound experience in assessment data analysis, preferably using statistical software such as SPSS.
  • Sound experience in use of data to improve student learning (e.g., assessment informed instruction, teaching to the right level).
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative research.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and writing skills.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (spoken and written). 

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

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