Position: Programming & Training Specialist (United States Peace Corps/Cambodia)__Deadline:14-October

OPEN TO:    All Qualified Candidates (preference given to citizens or permanent residents of Cambodia)
CLOSING DATE:    14 October 2024
WORK HOURS:    Full-time; 40 hrs/week
ESTIMATED WORK PERIOD:    Permanent; A period of performance of one (1) base year plus four (4) option years with the possibility of renewal.
COMPENSATION:    Annual salary range $21,183 to $32,840

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

The United States Peace Corps (www.peacecorps.gov) is a non-political, non-religious organization of the US government that brings Americans to Cambodia to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers. The Peace Corps serves in Cambodia at the invitation of the Government of Cambodia and works closely with Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport with a goal to improve the English language skills of teachers and students. The Peace Corps was founded by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship. Learn more about Peace Corps Cambodia here: http://www.peacecorps.gov/cambodia.

 

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION:

The United States Peace Corps Cambodia seeks a permanent Programming and Training Specialist (PTS) based at our office in Phnom Penh to support the work of American Volunteers working in mostly rural areas throughout Cambodia. The PTS is a full-time contracted position. The permanent duty station is the Peace Corps office in Phnom Penh, though the position is expected to be travel as necessary for training events outside of Phnom Penh.

**This position requires significant travel including a 3-month relocation to the Pre-Service Training site outside of Phnom Penh.**

SUMMARY:

The Programming and Training Specialist (PTS) is responsible for ensuring that Peace Corps Volunteers/Trainees (PCV/Ts) have the technical skills and resources they need to fulfill the objectives of the English Teaching and Teacher Training (ETTT) project in Cambodia. The PTS designs, leads, implements, and manages technical training and support for Trainees and Volunteers who work in Cambodian public primary, secondary, and teacher training schools; adapts and refines training materials and approaches; provides ongoing technical support and guidance in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) methods for PCVs throughout their service; supports effective working relationships between PCVs and their counterparts; and collaborates with Peace Corps Cambodia staff to ensure the efforts and assignments of PCVs are consistent with Cambodian government and Peace Corps’ philosophy and priorities in Cambodia. The PTS reports to the Program Manager (PM) and collaborates closely with the Director of Programming and Training (DPT), Program Managers (PMs), Training Manager (TM), and other Programming & Training (P&T) staff.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical Training
Peace Corps conducts an extensive Pre-Service Training (PST) to prepare PCT/Vs for their service, as well as various in-service training (IST) events that provide PCVs and their Cambodian partners with timely knowledge and skills. The PTS is in charge of the learning and assessment of all technical competencies that PCT/Vs must learn and demonstrate during their service.

• Collaborate with Programming & Training (P&T) staff in designing, planning, and executing a comprehensive technical training strategy (including online and in-person components) for PCT/Vs that covers their complete term of service (around 27 months).
• Assess needs and feedback from Cambodian ministry partners and schools to determine the scope, design, and content of TEFL training.
• Review and develop goals, objectives, and session outlines of technical training events, activities, and practicums.
• Contribute to the design of the Calendar of Training Events (COTE), including appropriate sequencing of classroom sessions, virtual learning, practicum, and technical assignments.
• Lead recruitment, training, and supervision of short-term technical training staff and support recruitment of other short-term staff.
• Identify and develop TEFL training materials. Coordinate procurement, organization, and utilization of materials during training.
• Serves as the lead Technical Trainer for trainees during the 10-week period of PST.
• Assess backgrounds, needs, and abilities of PCT/Vs and solicit feedback to determine most effective training methods and materials. Make adjustments in the schedule and sessions as appropriate.
• Lead the facilitation of in-person and online technical training sessions using interactive and participatory methods and incorporating student-centered learning, adult learning, experiential learning, and community-based training approaches.
• Guide Trainees in planning, organizing, and implementing the practicum activities and coach Trainees to develop effective intercultural strategies and habits for adjusting to working in a Cambodian classroom with a Cambodian teacher.
• Provide detailed feedback and observations regarding the performance and competencies of each Trainee required to qualify for service. Make recommendations for specific interventions on any performance or behavioral issues up to and including termination of service.
• Provide ongoing direct feedback to Trainees and provide guidance and coaching to improve performance.
• Make Volunteer assignment and site placement recommendations to PMs and DPT based on direct observation and assessment of Trainees’ performance, experience, competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Coordinate with TM regularly to adjust training design, content, sequence, schedule, etc. as needed and compile a final report of the TEFL training that includes recommendations for improvements in future training events.
• Research and consistently refresh knowledge of the Cambodian education system, Peace Corps’ programming and training requirements and materials, best practices in the TEFL field, and English teaching in Cambodia to ensure that Peace Corps is meeting the needs of Cambodian schools, incorporating best practices, meeting required standards, and improving training and support for Volunteers.
• Collaborate with other facets of training, such as Language & Culture, Health, Security, etc., in cross-training efforts.
• Act as a resource person for Trainees on technical and cultural topics of interest, striving to present objective, unbiased views of Cambodian work culture and practices, and serve as a model and moral support for the Trainees.
• Participate and contribute to other training events such as Project Design & Management training and Supervisor & Counterpart conferences as needed.
• Support the TM and Training Assistant (TA) with logistics and administrative matters of trainings, conferences, and workshops as needed.

Technical Support
Peace Corps Volunteers teach English and train teachers of English in Cambodian public schools for a term of 2 years in mostly rural communities. The PTS ensures that PCVs continue to improve their technical skills and meet technical competencies throughout their service.

• Coordinate with the Programming staff to assess technical needs of Volunteers related to teaching such as school resources, student motivation, classroom management, and working with counterparts.
• Establish regular contact with PCT/Vs to provide individualized guidance, coaching, and feedback on work performance, strategies for classroom teaching, professionalism, and interpersonal relations in the context of Cambodian schools.
• Visit Volunteers at site to observe teaching, provide feedback and guidance, and ensure that teaching strategies reach the standards expected by host schools, Cambodian ministry partners, and Peace Corps.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate PCV job performance. Analyze and use data from quarterly reports to improve and target technical support and training.
• Maintain regular communication with PCVs through email/newsletter updates, technical check-in calls, and intervention calls as needed.
• Utilize online platforms to provide virtual and distance learning support by developing content for online courses, leading virtual training sessions, facilitating community of practice calls and small group discussions, providing one-on-one technical support and coaching, and contributing resources to a digital library.
• Proactively develop, produce, recommend, and disseminate physical and digital resources that support PCT/Vs’ teaching activities.
• Connect PCT/Vs to human resources such as staff, local experts, organizations, and fellow Volunteers.
• Coordinate and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and technical support for Volunteers. Collect, curate, and promote Volunteer produced resources and best practices for use in training, technical support, and reporting.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The PTS reports directly to and is supervised by the Program Manager. The PTS collaborates closely with the Director of Programming and Training (DPT), Program Managers (PMs), Training Manager (TM), and other Programming & Training (P&T) staff.

LEVEL OF EFFORT AND LOGISTICS:

• The PTS performs duties at the Peace Corps office in Phnom Penh during a 40-hour work week. The PTS is required to relocate to an area outside of Phnom Penh during pre-service training (PST), approximately 10 weeks, each year. During PST, a 48-hour workweek may be required, including Saturdays. The PTS may be required to work outside of or in addition to normally scheduled hours to support PCVs/PCTs and fulfill other Peace Corps Cambodia requirements. The PTS may participate in in-country or out-of-country trainings provided to Peace Corps staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Professional Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Education, TESOL, or related field OR an internationally recognized training certificate in TEFL/TESOL
• Two years of professional experience as a classroom English teacher in Cambodia
• Six months of experience training teachers or facilitating adult learning
• One year of experience working in an international or intercultural context, especially with Americans
• Fluent English speaking and writing ability and fluent Khmer speaking and writing ability
• Ability to pass a background check and maintain a security clearance

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• TEFL certification
• At least one year of experience teaching English at the primary level in a public school in Cambodia
• Experience implementing student-centered learning approaches and incorporating experiential activities and/or multi-media
• Strong facilitation skills in large group discussions
• Experience developing content, facilitating, or participating in online learning
• Understanding of Cambodian Education system and current education initiatives
• Strong computer and information technology skills, experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Application Requirements:
1.    A cover letter in English describing your interest in working as a Programming & Training Specialist
2.    A resume or C.V. that clearly addresses each of the minimum qualifications listed above
All documents must be in English.  Official translation is not required. Additional documentation will be required for candidates who move forward in the selection process.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Submit the documents listed above to KH-jobs@peacecorps.gov with the title “PTS”
•    Or, deliver to the Peace Corps Office - #7A, Street 256
•    Or, mail to Peace Corps Office, PO Box 2453, Phnom Penh 3
Applications that fail to follow application instructions or address the required qualifications or are submitted after 5:00pm on the closing date will not be considered. No phone calls or personal visits related to this vacancy will be accepted. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The fulfillment of the Peace Corps’ mission to foster greater understanding among the world’s citizens requires that we adhere to the highest standards with respect to equal employment opportunity for all Volunteers, employees, and applicants. Discrimination based on factors that have no bearing on a person’s ability to serve and perform his or her duties is not permitted and will not be tolerated.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Award of a contract is contingent on availability of funds, continued need for the position, reference checks, and background check.
• Peace Corps may choose not to fill any positions from this announcement.
• Only those invited to an interview will be contacted.
• Peace Corps reserves the right to not evaluate or to withhold an offer of a personal services contract to an individual that has a history of poor past performance or conduct as a Peace Corps Trainee, Volunteer, or staff member.
• Peace Corps reserves the right to withhold an offer of a personal services contract to an individual that is a relative or household member of a current Peace Corps staff member.
• Individuals who have current or prior connections with intelligence activities or agencies through employment, related work, or even family relations may be ineligible for a personal services contract.

Moreinfo: https://kh.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/peace-corps

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