District Lead - STIR Education

1. POSITION VACANT: District Lead, STIR Education, Chennai

2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

STIR Education was established in 2012, with the vision of ensuring that every child is taught by an intrinsically motivated teacher using improved classroom and student learning practices.

Headquartered in London, STIR Education is currently operating in India and Uganda and supported by 18 of the world’s leading foundations and development agencies. Donors include DFID, USAID, MasterCard, MacArthur, Ikea Foundation, Dubai Cares and UBS Optimus.

STIR Education’s mission is to ignite the intrinsic motivation of teachers, using partnerships with governments across education systems to build teacher networks, and supporting teachers to work collaboratively to improve teaching practices and children's learning. Networks established by STIR Education have already positively impacted 75,000 teachers and 2.6 million children, in India and Uganda.

For more information about STIR Education, please visit https://www.stireducation.org/

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

The District Lead shall be responsible for advocating the importance of teacher motivation. S/he shall also be responsible for building excellent relationships with district and block level officials to ensure that they are prepared to lead the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan-Tamil Nadu (SSA-TN) and STIR partnership programme effectively in their schools, creating and acting on a shared purpose to improve teaching and learning.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

(A) Act as 'Chief Advocate’ for Intrinsic Motivation of Local Officials in the System and Teachers in District(s):
(1) Take real ownership for leading change in the district(s);
(2) Align with district/ block officials around the importance of teacher motivation and improve classroom practices;
(3) Tell stories and equip others to tell stories that highlight the possibility of change.

(B) Build Strong, Purposeful Relationships with District and Block Education Officials: 
(1) Develop a clear shared purpose with the counterpart District Officials;
(2) Identify and gain the trust of influential District Officials such that the relationships are open and focused on improving motivation and learning;
(3) Use progress and impact data/ stories to build momentum towards increased teacher intrinsic motivation and children’s learning across district(s) and strengthen shared goals;
(4) Mobilise permissions and orders for smooth functioning of the programme.

(C) Plan and Facilitate High Quality Training and Support for District, Block and Cluster Level Teacher Educators and Teachers: 
(1) Facilitate high quality learning experiences for district and block level teacher educators;
(2) Work closely with District Officials to create a tailored implementation plan for the programme in district that aligns with existing training structures and resources;
(3) Provide excellent coaching and follow-up support to district/ block teacher educators, to support the implementation and adaptation of the model, so that a leadership group within the district(s) takes full leadership of the programme.

(D) Build Strong Networks and Culture of Openness and Learning between District and Block Officials: 
(1) Create opportunities for people to learn from each other in an open and reflective manner with colleagues from outside the district; 
(2) Put real energy into enabling people to build relationships and feel connected to a broader, state-wide programme;
(3) Broker chances for people to share ideas and try out new ways of working as district leaders.

(E) Contribute to Development of Overall Culture at STIR in Alignment with Organizational Values:  
(1) Model professionalism at all times and take ownership of one’s own development;
(2) Make sure that all training and support provided and relationships that are built are in the STIR spirit and in alignment with STIR values;
(3) Model ‘Growth Mind-set’ at all times, demonstrating that improvement is always possible and take responsibility for supporting the whole team to achieve its goals.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:             

Qualifications:
The applicant must possess a post-graduate degree in Management, or Social Science, or equivalent discipline.

Experience:
(1) Applicants must have four years of experience with at least two years in grassroots education;
(2) Applicants having only two years of experience in grassroots education may also apply.

Skills and Competencies:
(1) Strong identification with STIR values;
(2) Excellent influencing skills;
(3) Excellent planning and project management skills;
(4) a strong demonstrated interest in the education sector either through their work or as a volunteer and clear leadership and management experience;
(5) Proficiency in and ability to communicate effectively in Tamil and English;
(6) Able to build strong relationships and connections with people of all levels of seniority;
(7) Demonstrated ability to work through others to achieve goals;
(8) Ability to co-create and collaborate to achieve goals;
(9) Ability to codify and share learning effectively;
(10) Understanding and demonstrated ability to use all angles to ensure behaviour change of teachers and government officials;
(11) Strong attention to detail and ability to see things through to a very high standard;
(12) Ability to learn and adapt rapidly based on feedback and new information;
(13) Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment;
(14) A strong understanding of the Tamil Nadu education system.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation budgeted for the position is Rs. 6 lacs per annum. The actual offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history.

6. REFERENCE: DL-STIR

7. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 2684 2162; 4165 3612
E-mail: dl-stir@sams.co.in

8. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to urgently apply to dl-stir@sams.co.in, along with a cover letter highlighting their motivation to apply and suitability for the position, along with an updated resume including names and contact details of at least two referees, by or before August 23, 2018 Please note that suitable candidates shall be contacted immediately by SAMS’ recruitment team.