Teacher Policy Lead

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a global development organization that employs a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Established with a mission to improve lives through integrated solutions in education, health, nutrition, economic development, civil society, environment, and research, FHI 360 operates from over 60 offices worldwide, employing more than 4,000 professionals. The organization is committed to partnerships at all levels, which allows it to have a lasting impact on the communities and countries it serves, ultimately improving the lives of millions.

Job Overview:
The Teacher Policy Lead position is designed to provide overall technical direction and stakeholder support for teacher policy and workforce reform as part of an anticipated MCC-funded education quality assurance activity in Belize. This role is contingent upon FHI 360 receiving the award and will focus on addressing the challenges of low-quality education in Belize through the development and implementation of a comprehensive educational quality assurance system. The Teacher Policy Lead will be responsible for supporting the reform of policies and regulations concerning the licensing, hiring, appraisal, and promotion of teachers, school leaders, and counselors. This includes establishing a career pathway linked to performance standards, revising the teaching licensing process to ensure minimum standards and competencies, and developing a performance-based incentive system to promote school improvement and student achievement. The position will also involve providing technical leadership for workforce policy reform and educator standards development, ensuring alignment with broader education quality assurance systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Teacher Policy Lead will have several key responsibilities, including:

• Leading the technical implementation of teacher and school leader policy reform initiatives.
• Supporting the development and reform of systems and policies related to teacher licensing and certification, competency frameworks, career pathways, appraisal and performance management systems, performance-based incentive systems, school leadership standards, and dual subject certification systems.
• Ensuring alignment between teacher policy reforms and broader education quality assurance systems.
• Supporting government counterparts in the development, validation, and implementation of teacher policy reforms.
• Advising on institutional arrangements and governance structures that support educator accountability and workforce management.
• Facilitating policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Coordinating closely with various education stakeholders, including MoEYSC departments, teacher training institutions, managing authorities, and unions.
• Supporting consultation and consensus-building processes around sensitive policy reforms.
• Reviewing technical deliverables, policy drafts, implementation frameworks, and guidance materials to ensure technical quality, feasibility, and contextual appropriateness of workforce reform interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in education policy, teacher education, education leadership, public policy, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 12 years of experience in teacher policy reform, educator workforce systems, or education governance is required. Demonstrated experience in supporting reforms related to teacher licensing, appraisal, professional standards, or career pathways is essential. Experience with ministry-level education workforce reform initiatives and donor-funded education systems strengthening projects is also necessary, with a preference for candidates who have experience with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Familiarity with the Caribbean and/or small island developing states is preferred. Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and policy dialogue skills are crucial, along with excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as education policy, teacher education, education leadership, public policy, or a closely related discipline. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively lead policy reforms and engage with various stakeholders in the education sector.

Experience:
The position requires a substantial level of experience, specifically a minimum of 12 years in areas related to teacher policy reform, educator workforce systems, or education governance. Candidates should have a proven track record of supporting significant reforms in education, particularly those that involve teacher licensing, appraisal systems, and professional standards. Experience in managing or contributing to donor-funded education projects, especially those funded by the MCC, is highly desirable. Additionally, familiarity with the unique challenges faced by education systems in the Caribbean or small island developing states will be beneficial.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in English, as excellent written and oral communication skills are essential for effective stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the communities served by the education initiatives.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Belize and is contingent upon FHI 360 receiving the award for the MCC-funded project. The expected hiring salary range for this role is BZD 88,000 - 100,000 annually for basic salary. When determining the offer amount, FHI 360 considers various factors, including the applicant's relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget constraints. The job posting outlines the main duties of the position but does not prescribe or restrict the exact tasks that may be assigned. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record, and terrorism finance checks.