Manager - Early Childhood Development Programmes

Role & responsibilities:

Manager - ECD Programmes will ensure that all children enrolled in the AKES, India schools/preschools are offered appropriate, high-quality educational opportunities across all areas of pre-primary and early primary programmes [Foundational stage (3+2)]. S/He will lead the development and effective implementation of robust, teaching and learning environments, developing teachers to deliver an inclusive, child-centered and holistic curriculum.

• Lead and mentor the AKES, India ECD team (Coordinators/teachers/Aga Khan Preschools (AKP) regional office ECD team) to effectively execute the AKES, India - prescribed curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Guide/support in setting up new ECD units in schools/ AKPs.
• Spearhead outreach initiatives and foster collaboration with government and allied institutions.
• Continual assessment of quality across the overall programme (teaching and learning).

Specific:

Manager ECD will coordinate, support and guide schools in the following areas and work towards the continuous improvement of their academic standards and performance:

Oversee all curriculum development initiatives.

• Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate AKES, India ECD programmes, including curriculum and teaching and learning in standalone units and pre-primary sections of the schools.
• Ensure development, review, and improvement activities of the ECD curriculum align with Shishu Pahel Padhati / Highscope approach and the National Educational Policy 2020.
• Identify, plan and provide for the specific and diverse professional development needs of ECD teachers in AKES, India schools and AKPs.
• Promote and ensure the development of effective teaching and learning through coaching/mentoring and modelling and act as a co-lead *in the demonstration classroom as an exemplary class for the network.
• Ensure health and safety standards are met for all aspects related to the operations and delivery of ECD programmes such as premises, play area, equipment, teaching and learning.
• Ensure integration of technology, inclusivity, and modern methodologies and teaching practices into the curriculum.
• Maintain a calendar on curricular and co-curricular planning.
• Develop high-quality relevant Learning Resources for students & teachers and build capacity of field staff to do the same
• Support broader school academic strategic initiatives and plans, including implementation and periodical reviews.
• Support and encourage innovative teaching and learning practices.
• Regularly visits to Schools/preschools to support quality improvement initiatives and mentoring of ECD leadership.
• Provide guidance to school teams in the procurement of teaching learning resources/materials to ensure appropriate and effective resources are sourced.

Preferred candidate profile :

• Bachelor's or Masters degree in human development / early childhood/ education, Child Development, or a related field. B. Ed qualification is good to have, not mandatory.
• 5 plus years of experience in successfully managing overall academic development for a chain of schools.
• Experience teaching in an ECD classroom (KG-Gr. 2).
• Deep understanding of early childhood development theories, practices, and pedagogy.
• Familiarity with relevant local and national regulations and policies related to ECD.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Interested candidates can send their resume on pooja.kinnerkar@akesi.org