National Specialist - Teaching and Learning Policy

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) established to lead international efforts to combat hunger. With a mission to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all, FAO ensures that people have regular access to sufficient high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. The organization has 195 members, including 194 countries and the European Union, and operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The FAO-Country Office for Lesotho is tasked with developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects aimed at transforming food, agriculture, and rural development in the region. Currently, FAO is collaborating with the Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition to implement a project that aims to enhance the college's capabilities in agricultural education and innovation.

Job Overview:
The position of National Specialist focuses on the development of a comprehensive Teaching and Learning Policy for the Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC). This role is crucial in ensuring that the college meets national and international quality assurance standards and is positioned favorably for full accreditation. The specialist will be responsible for conducting a thorough review of existing teaching and learning practices, quality assurance processes, and policy documents related to pedagogy and curriculum delivery. The overall objective is to create a robust, evidence-based policy that defines standards and quality assurance mechanisms for delivering consistent, high-quality education. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including LAC leadership, academic staff, students, and external stakeholders, to gather inputs and facilitate workshops aimed at defining core pedagogical principles and values.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Specialist include conducting a detailed review of LAC's current teaching and learning practices and quality assurance processes. The specialist will benchmark these practices against leading national and international higher education institutions to identify best practices. Additionally, the role involves facilitating consultative workshops with LAC leadership, academic staff, students, and relevant external stakeholders to define core pedagogical principles and quality standards. The specialist will also design monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for teaching quality, including student feedback systems, and develop a system for tracking and supporting at-risk students. Furthermore, the specialist will draft the complete Teaching and Learning Policy document, which will cover various aspects such as curriculum approval, assessment frameworks, academic integrity, and technology integration. The role also includes developing an accompanying Implementation Plan and Institutional Readiness Assessment, presenting the draft policy to the LAC Project Steering Committee for review, and finalizing the policy document based on feedback received.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master's or higher) in Education, Higher Education Pedagogy, Curriculum Studies, or a closely related field. Additionally, a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in teaching and curriculum development is required. Candidates should also demonstrate proficiency in English and Sesotho, with a working knowledge at proficiency level C. It is essential that candidates are nationals of Lesotho or residents of the country with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree, specifically a Master's degree or higher, in fields related to education, such as Education, Higher Education Pedagogy, or Curriculum Studies. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of teaching and learning policies within higher education institutions.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in teaching and curriculum development. This experience should ideally include prior involvement in developing institutional teaching and learning policies or frameworks for higher education or technical and vocational institutions. Candidates should also have a strong background in stakeholder consultation and report writing.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Sesotho is mandatory for this position, with a working knowledge at proficiency level C. This language requirement is essential for effective communication with various stakeholders involved in the development of the Teaching and Learning Policy.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, and candidates will be assessed against specific criteria, including demonstrated knowledge of national qualifications frameworks and accreditation standards, particularly the Lesotho Qualifications Framework and Council on Higher Education requirements. The role emphasizes the importance of strong facilitation skills, stakeholder consultation, and the ability to produce comprehensive reports. The position may involve a contract duration that aligns with the project timeline, and it is essential for candidates to be either nationals of Lesotho or residents with a valid work permit.