CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT EXPERT

JOB TITLE:                       CURRICULUM AND MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT EXPERTLOCATION:                   The Gambia DURATION:                   3. 5 yearsJOB TYPE:                       Full time on site ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWLearning Masterminds (LM) is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization that seeks for a world where the boundless potential of the next generation of children and youth is unlocked to drive lasting change. LM’s mission is to advance excellence in education for children and youth development through evidence-based approaches, international best practices, and locally driven solutions for lasting impact.

LM was established in September 2024 by seven experts with varied skills and competencies in strategic leadership, education and youth project management, school leadership, stakeholder engagement, teacher training, foundational literacy and numeracy, monitoring, evaluation and learning, finance, communication and development outreach, marketing, and public-private partnerships. LM undertakes a wide range of activities related to education and youth development and works closely with the government, ministry of education and agencies, development partners, NGOs, directors of education, school leadership, teachers, students, parents, and stakeholders related to education and youth development. LM is committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability.

We want to add an experienced Curriculum and Materials Development Expert to our dynamic team to lead a 3. 5-year foundational literacy and numeracy project that will drive our strategic objectives and continue our legacy of excellence. JOB SUMMARY: We are seeking a highly skilled and creative Curriculum and Materials Development Expert to lead the design, development and implementation of foundational literacy and numeracy teaching and learning materials in 7 local languages and English.

The expert will collaborate with the Curriculum Research Evaluation and Development Directorate (CREDD) and writers in the Gambia to produce the highest quality variety of learning materials for teachers and learners. This role focuses on creating culturally responsive, linguistically appropriate, and pedagogically sound learning materials that support effective bilingual education. This position involves creating curriculum materials that meet diverse learner needs, align with science of teaching and current educational standards of The Gambia, ensuring the highest quality teaching and learning resources. The Curriculum and Materials Development Expert will report to the Project Manager. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Literacy Program DesignLead the conceptualization and design of comprehensive literacy programs aligned with the Gambia’s standard-based curriculum and evidence-based practices. Adapt global best practices in literacy instruction to local linguistic and cultural contextsDevelop learning outcomes aligned with national curriculum standards. ·      Develop structured and progressive literacy scope and sequences, incorporating appropriate strategies in 7 local language and English for Early Childhood Development up to Grade 4Provide technical guidance on balanced literacy approaches that on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, oral language and writing activities in local languages and English.

·      Establish quality standards for curriculum development, implementation, and assessmentEnsure cultural relevance and linguistic appropriateness of all materials. Integrate cross-cultural elements to reflect socio-emotional and civic-minded skills into curriculum design. Design literacy assessment tools in local languages and in English. Curriculum and Materials Development & Adaptation·      Oversee the development of teacher guides, student books, workbooks, supplementary readers, read aloud, decodable and leveled texts for practice opportunities for learners in 7 local languages and in English.

·      Ensure materials are linguistically appropriate, culturally relevant, and gender-responsive·      Guide adaptation of literacy materials for inclusive education, accommodating learners with various disabilities·      Establish clear protocols for materials development, testing, revision, and quality assurance·      Design assessment tools and resources. ·      Develop remediation materials to support struggling learners. ·      Create supplementary teaching and learning materials. ·      Develop digital content when appropriate. ·      Ensure materials are age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. ·      Collaborate with illustrators and designers to ensure high quality finished materials. Technical LeadershipDevelop language-specific analysis to guide the content development. Ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural appropriateness of material. Create glossaries of key terms in multiple languages.

Support the development of teacher training and other professional development materials. Provide training and support to teachers and trainers on the effective implementation of curriculum materials. Develop coaching and mentoring tools and provide training and support to literacy coaches and mentors. Analyze literacy assessment data and provide technical assistance especially to struggling schools. Lead literacy research initiatives. Collaboration and TrainingTrain writers and editors in materials development. Work with the Teacher Training Coordinator, language specialists and administrators to ensure alignment with program goals and objectives and to ensure accuracy and relevance of training content. Provide technical support to content developers.

Quality AssuranceEstablish quality standards for materials development. Review and revise materials for accuracy and consistency as necessary. Conduct field testing of developed materials and incorporate feedback from teachers and students to ensure materials meet international best practices. Establish a validation process that ensures the materials align with national standards. Establish literacy benchmarks to aid assessment of pupils’ learning. Track student progress and monitor program effectiveness and use feedback to improve implementation.

Capacity Building & TrainingCollaborate and design comprehensive training programs for teachers, coaches, and education officials on literacy instructionDevelop coaching frameworks and tools to support ongoing teacher professional developmentConduct master training sessions and model effective literacy instruction techniquesBuild capacity of local curriculum specialists and materials developers as neededMentor local staff to ensure knowledge transfer and sustainable program implementationMonitoring, Evaluation & LearningDevelop appropriate assessment tools to measure progress and literacy skills acquisitionSupport the establish monitoring systems to track program implementation fidelityAnalyze assessment data to inform programmatic adjustmentsContribute to research agenda and knowledge management in early grade literacyStakeholder Engagement & CoordinationBuild collaborative relationships with Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), curriculum authorities, and teacher training institutions as appropriateLiaise with other implementing partners to ensure harmonized approachesRepresent the program at technical working groups and education sector meetingsQUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION:

MPhil in Curriculum, Material Development, Education, Linguistics, or related field. Additional qualifications in language education desirable. Training in materials development and instructional design. WORK EXPERIENCE: Minimum 8 years’ experience in literacy and numeracy curriculum and materials development. Proven experience in developing materials in L1 and English. Strong in educational content development. Background in teaching or teacher training. PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES: ·      Creative and innovative thinker with a passion for education. ·      Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. ·      Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple teams and meet deadlines. ·      Adaptable to changing priorities and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISEUnderstanding of the science of teaching reading. Knowledge of phonics-based instruction. Knowledge of early literacy acquisition. Expertise in literacy assessment. OTHERSDemonstrated ability to work effectively with international donors, government counterparts, and project stakeholders. Excellent team building and supervisory skills. ·      Experience in strategic planning, risk management, or change management. Fluency in written and spoken English. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Be able to work and travel in hard conditions in the region, districts, schools, and communities in the Gambia with tolerance and sensitivity towards diverse and vulnerable populations to deliver mandate. WHAT WE OFFER: Very competitive salary package.

Opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Dynamic and innovative work environment. HOW TO APPLY: Send in a 2-page CV and a 1-page cover letter aligned to the job role including: How you qualify for the role. When you are available to start. Your willingness to work in The Gambia. Link to portfolio of literacy materials developed. 2 professional References. Email subject: Curriculum and Materials Development Expert and Your Name. Email the application package of the 2-page CV and a 1-page cover letter to: admin@learningmasterminds. org Closing date for applications: 15th September, 2025