In Ethiopia, many children are out of school or at risk of dropping out, in particularly girls and other marginalized groups. Progress has been made in expanding education access for children across the country, however, since 2019 progress stalled due to conflict and instability, climate-induced shocks, and the impact of COVID-19 and wider macroeconomic challenges around inflation which exacerbated existing inequalities.

In response, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) aims to improve teaching quality and learning outcomes and increase access to education for girls and marginalized children through the ‘Transforming Education in Ethiopia’ project (2024-2028). The project will focus on three key components below:

• Teacher and school leader development:  Improved quality of teaching and learning with a focus on continuous teacher professional development in targeted schools. 

• English Language Teaching and Learning: Selected schools provide better teaching and learning in English Language as a subject, and improved use of English across the curriculum.

• Equity, Inclusion and Girls’ Education: Improved access and retention of the most marginalized children, particularly girls.

Employment Type: Definite Period

About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to help the government and people of Ethiopia strengthen the education system and work with experts in a dynamic consortium that is putting together a compelling and innovative bid for the forthcoming five-year “Transforming Education Programme in Ethiopia (TREE)”. As English Language Lead, you will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with frequent visits to specific regions to be covered by the programme and other locations as necessary.

You will report to the Consortium Technical Assistance (TA) Lead. Regular day to day liaison and coordination will be with Regional management/staff and Concern Worldwide’s Technical Advisers in Ethiopia and at head office. You will work closely with relevant managers/staff in consortium member agencies and downstream partners and contractors, the Core Programme Management Team, the Ministry of Education, and other key stakeholders in education in Ethiopia.

Role Purpose:                   

The English Language Lead will lead efforts to strengthen English language teaching and learning, a core focus of the programme. The role will focus on improving both the teaching of English as a subject and the cross-curricular use of English in line with Government of Ethiopia (GoE) policy. They will work closely with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Regional Education Bureaus (REBs) to create sustainable, cost-effective plans, and support teachers at both school and college levels through continuous teacher professional development and work with relevant institutions/organisations. The role also includes revising teacher training modules and developing resources, ensuring alignment with national strategies. They will engage with key stakeholders to help achieve project goals, implement, and institutionalise access to quality and safe education-related policies, and interventions.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct assessment of English language education including policies and practice at national and regional levels.

• Collaborate with the MoE and REBs to develop a costed plan for improving English teaching and cross-curricular English use informed by policies and practices at the national and regional level, and work with local government so that the plan is delivered well in selected woredas.

• Lead in the revision, development and dissemination of English language curriculum and teaching and learning materials for English, including digital materials, in collaboration with the MoE and REBs.

• Strengthen English teacher professional development networks through capacity building and engaging communities of practice.

• Provide technical support to Regional Leads in the roll out of the costed plan, regional capacity building, and continuous teacher professional development. Collaborate with MEAL staff to monitor the English language component of the programme.

• Conduct regular site visits to provide technical assistance and ensure effective implementation and monitoring of English language activities.

• Effectively communicate English language program implementation updates and findings to the Technical Assistance Lead, programme staff and external stakeholders, including the FCDO, to facilitate informed decision-making and coherence and coordination with other outcomes.

• Engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment with national policies and secure support for the programme’s English language initiatives.

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with the delivery of English Language activities as part of overall risk management.

• Within this role, promote and help ensure adherence/compliance with Concern Worldwide’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies (including Programme Participant Protection, Child & vulnerable adult Safeguarding, Anti-Trafficking policies), Conflict of Interest Policy, Anti-Fraud Policy, and Modern Slavery Transparency Statement. 

• Within this role, promote and help ensure accountability to programme participants and wider communities in line with Concern Worldwide’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Do No Harm principles and ensure high ethical standards throughout programme implementation.

Emergency response

Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the Ethiopia Programme is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

Gender Equality

• Demonstrate understanding of Concern Ethiopia’s Gender Equality Strategy

• Contribute to ensuring that Concern Ethiopia is a place where men and women are treated equally and with  dignity and respect 

• Demonstrate gender equality awareness and gender sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender equality perspective into tasks and activities.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS): 

• actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E); 

• work with relevant colleagues  to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed; 

• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behavior is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Safeguarding

• Able to seek appropriate advice and report concerns, and feel confident that they have been understood.

• Understands local safeguarding structures and arrangements.

• Practice in a manner that seeks to reduce the risk of abuse, harm or neglect.

• Identifies and refers to appropriate services any other associated persons including carers, family members and children at risk.

• Able to document safeguarding concerns, and maintain appropriate record keeping, recording the wishes and views of the adult or child at risk, differentiating between fact and opinion.

Job Requirements

Essential:

• Bachelor’s or equivalent qualification in linguistics, education, English language, or related field. Master’s qualification is preferred. 

• Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in English language teaching, learning pedagogy, curriculum development, and teacher training, preferably in multilingual contexts.

• Proven experience in designing and implementing English language teacher training programmes.

• Experience in conducting assessments and surveys to measure English language proficiency, teacher performance, and student outcomes.

• Strong knowledge of second language acquisition and effective English language teaching methodologies.

• Prior experience of operating effectively within complex and high-risk environments and managing the needs of multiple stakeholders. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results in a fast-paced and complex environment.

• Strong analytical skills, with experience using data to inform decision-making and programme adjustments.

• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to articulate complex information backed with evidence to advocate to and persuade influential stakeholders. 

• Fluency in spoken and written English. 

Desirable:

• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian education system and the role of English language as a medium of instruction and subject.

• Familiarity with MoE policies and strategies for English language education.

• Experience developing digital teaching and learning resources.

• Fluency in one or more Ethiopian languages.

Competencies:  

As this is a key leadership position, potential candidates are expected to demonstrate significant ability in the following areas:

• Focusing on the most marginalised people 

• Communicating and influencing

• Managing risk

• Leading change

• Making decisions

• Driving performance

• Leading by example

• Removing barriers to delivery

• Motivating and developing

 We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organization. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. 

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date. Concern reserves the right to interview and select the chosen candidate before closing date for receipt of applications, so early application is strongly recommended.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs. 

Recruitment for this role is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and the final applicant's selection is subject to FCDO approval.

Important information:

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organizations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation. 

What we offer

• A competitive salary and benefit package

• Excellent medical benefits (100% cover including dependents)

• 20 days annual leave

• 26 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 18 weeks (unpaid) parental leave

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send non-returnable C.V., application letter outlining how their experience and education fit this vacancy, please note that no need to submit your supporting documents at this stage:   

Apply through THIS LINK

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

Women and people with disability applicants are highly encouraged to apply.