Afghanistan: National Advisor for Curriculum Development

Rationale

As the Institute passes five years of independent existence and transitions from institutional donor funding to a privately-funded endowment model, the Country Director of the Turquoise Mountain Trust and the Director of the Institute are seeking external expertise to support (a) a full curriculum review and (b) an assessment of the Institute’s sustainability plans. For this Turquoise Mountain will engage a consultant with deep knowledge of technical and vocational training, traditional Islamic arts, and Afghanistan, to support its own internal reflection on the future direction of the Institute.

Job purpose

The purpose of this role is to assist the international Curriculum Development and Sustainability Planning Consultant in his work to support the Directors of the Institute and the Turquoise Mountain Trust in reviewing the curriculum of the Institute and its sustainability plan. The recommendations will be presented to the Board of Directors of the Institute. This review will cover areas such as: the Institute’s relationship with the Ministry of Education; entry requirements for students; possible structures for training courses; use of apprenticeships; the quality of supplementary classes (in business skills, IT, and English); staffing requirements; potential financial models; market-readiness of graduates.

Terms of reference

Curriculum review

The National Adviser will support an International Curriculum Adviser and TMI senior management to review:

• the curriculum of the technical training across the four schools of traditional Afghan crafts taught at the Institute;
• the adequacy of the supplementary classes in business skills, IT, and English;
• the Ministry of Education requirements and their implementation;
• the City & Guilds accreditation requirements and their implementation;
• the structure of the courses offered (currently three years, full-time);
• staffing requirements;
• market-readiness of graduates;
• the role of apprenticeships;
• scope for digitizing elements of the curriculum to support digital and online learning (DOL);
• other aspects related to the quality of teaching as required.

Sustainability planning

The National Adviser will support an International Curriculum Adviser and TMI senior management to plan for:
• the ongoing financial sustainability of the Institute;
• different possible financing models, including partial cost recovery;
• the development of digital and online learning elements to support distance learning.

Qualifications and experience required
• Bachelor’s in a related field required;
• Experience working in education or vocational training in Afghanistan;
• Proven knowledge and expertise in Islamic or Afghan arts and culture;
• Fully bilingual in Dari and English;
• Fully computer literate – ECDL or equivalent.

Qualifications and experience desired

• Experience in educational curriculum construction.
• Working knowledge of Pashto
Personal Competencies
• Appreciation and respect for Afghan culture, people and values;
• Able to work without close direct supervision
• Creativity and pragmatism;
• Ability to build trustful relationships quickly;
• Adaptability and flexibility within a unique environment.