Position: JRS Curriculum SpecialistProgramme: Mae Hong Son Education
Reports to: Project Director
Organization: Jesuit Refugee Service
Location: Mae Hong Son, Thailand
JRSJesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS programmes are found in over 50 countries, providing assistance to refugees in refugee camps, to people displaced within their own country, and to asylum-seekers in cities and to those held in detention. The main areas of work are in the fields of education, advocacy, emergency assistance, pastoral care, health and nutrition, IGA (Income Generating Activities) and social services. In total, more than 376,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.
Position PurposeJRS has been working with the Karenni Education Department (KnED) in Mae Hong Son’s two northernmost refugee camps since 1997. JRS partners with the Karenni Education Department (KnED) to implement and deliver educational services and training in the following areas: primary, secondary, vocational, special education, teacher training and management. JRS works with KnED to provide technical support to the entire education system. JRS Mae Hong Son is currently providing assistance to over 7,000 children and 420 teachers in 11 primary schools, 5 middle schools and 2 high schools in two refugee camps. The primary goal of this support is to ensure the continuity of education while simultaneously developing the capacity of refugee educators for future self-sufficiency. Currently, refugees from these camps are being offered the chance to resettle to third countries (principally the US), resulting in a diminishing population with changing educational needs.
The curriculum used in Karenni schools is developed by KnED. The JRS Curriculum Specialist will work closely with KnED to support curriculum development, help outline existing curriculum, and develop new curriculum in response to changing needs.
Responsibilities· Develop a framework of existing curriculum for better coordination with MOE, KED and other ethnic groups.
· Assist with review and development of basic curriculum.
· Conduct research and provide information to KnED.
· Attend in-camp meetings as requested by KnED.
· Represent KnED at curriculum related meeting held outside of the camps.
· Liaise and maintain regular communication with organizations involved in refugee curriculum (ZOA, KED, NHEC, MOE and other).
· Support active KnED decision making and capacity development.
· Collaborate and coordinate with other JRS team members, CBOs and NGOs working in the camp.
Required Qualifications/Experience· Relevant degree – Bachelor (minimum)
· At least 2 years teaching experience.
· Experience with curriculum development/design.
· Previous development experience and/or experience in limited-resource, challenging environments
· Fluent written and oral Burmese and English
· Thai or Karenni language skills desirable
· Computer skills
· Flexibility and the ability to operate in a complex and rapidly changing environment
· Experience of the Burmese refugee situation desirable
Conditions: A two-year contract with an initial three-month probationary period.
Starting date: ASAP
Closing date for applications: 15 July 2009
Applications: Please apply by sending your cover letter and CV (including two references) to
curriculumdeveloper@jrs.or.thOnly short listed candidates will be contacted.
Thelma = Nursing
