Director – Academics

Who We Are - About NewGlobe

NewGlobe is working with visionary governments around the world to dramatically improve the quality of basic education. Founded in 2007, we partner with governments to provide integrated school management, teacher professional development, instructional design innovation, technological system support, child-centered classroom practice, and parent engagement -- all grounded in learning science -- to ensure each teacher is empowered to engage children in transformational learning, Our data-driven approach has been validated by a Nobel-winning researcher and recognition by international leaders in Education. We imagine a world where all children can access an education that unlocks their full potential. 

We need bright minds who want to be part of building a new globe -- a more equitable globe -- to join us. More information: newglobe.education

Partnership Launch

Partnership Launch brings the majority of our extensive breadth of technical expertise to ensure large scale transformation of education systems into one team. This team kick-starts new programs in new countries. Each member of the team is responsible for a core area of expertise, and then setting up all work and functions related to that expertise in the new program/new country. This includes putting all relevant policies, practices, systems and technology in place, and leading the hiring of the leader who will take charge of this work as the permanent lead for this body of work. This is our SWAT team, with specialists brought together to solve the critical and urgent problem of launching a state or nation-wide new program. This team must work collaboratively, thrive in creating order out of chaos, and understand that proactive problem solving is a daily task. All members of this team should expect extensive travel to remote and underserved areas, and to be resident in 2 other locations per year, setting up new programs. When not deployed on starting a specific program, each team member will do work with the core technical team which he or she represents, to support special projects, deepen technical knowledge, and otherwise advance in the field. This team is critical to delivering on our shared vision of transforming the lives of 10,000,000+ children, and in so doing seeing peace and prosperity where we work.

Academics

The objective of Academics is to drive student achievement. To do so, we must know -- what is happening minute-by-minute for the typical child. The student’s daily experience, and thus the path to achievement, emerges from their relationship with the teachers and the content that is delivered in the classroom. Our team is collaboratively organized around these levers. We develop rigorous content pitched at the right level for students to be delivered by a teacher who is prepared to succeed in the classroom. Our Instructional Design department builds the content; our Leadership & Development department trains teachers and school leaders using scientifically-proven techniques; our Learning Innovation department looks at cutting-edge research to generate breakthrough learning gains. Underpinning all of this is the work of the independent Measurement and Evaluation group, which provides Academics with an empirical orientation toward improving that daily experience and, in turn, driving achievement.

About the Role

The Academic Director for the Partnership Launch group is responsible for the successful debut of all academic programming in a new territory. The inaugural cohort of schools in any territory could range from the 100s to the 1000s, and every single school must be prepared to deploy a world-class

academic programme from Day 1. This work will include conducting field-based and desk research on all aspects of standard academic programming and school operations in the new market. From this starting point, the Academic Director works closely with their Shared Services colleagues to develop the “Academic Plan” for the new programme, which details how NewGlobe’s methodology is customized to reflect the unique learning needs and educational context in the new territory. This plan will cover course offerings, textbooks, assessment design, daily timetable, leveling of instructional materials, and more. In this role, you are also responsible for initial technical consultation with government curriculum leaders and policy makers. Eventually, you will hire your permanent replacement for this market, ensuring (s)he is set up to succeed even after you leave to begin work in another new market. This role would report directly to the Senior Director, Partnership Launch.

What You Will Do 

• Spearhead the debut of the entire academic programme in this new territory, leading all academic work that ensures the best possible learning experience for this new cohort of schools and pupils
• Understand the nuances of NewGlobe’s methodology, academic policies, and instructional principles - including how they are customized to reflect the needs of an education system
• Conduct desk research to learn about the academic policies, challenges, and learning outcomes in the new market
• Conduct the first field research in new countries and territories to gather initial data about student learning levels, teachers, and school operations in the new market
• Write the Academic Plan for the new market through thoughtful adaptation of NewGlobe’s methodology and principles to the particular needs and context of the market
• Collaborate effectively with shared services NewGlobe support to ensure the creation of high-quality instructional materials (including printed and digital products) and the implementation of a robust measurement and evaluation plan
• Prepare and present detailed plans to the relevant government officials about our academic plan
• Hire and onboard the Academics Director who will permanently take over the academic programme in the new market after you leave
• Review and respond to operational and outcome data in order to ensure the success of the programme from Day 1
• Collaborate with the Leadership & Development Manager to ensure induction training appropriately addresses academic programme for both school leaders and teachers
• Any other duty to effectively support a launch, such as field research, training support, school visits etc.
• When not working on an active launch, support the Shared Service team as needed, such as desk-based technical support to Academics leadership in existing programmes, including data analysis, policy writing, academic planning, and review of instructional materials.

What You Should Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field; graduate degrees preferred
• 6 years’ minimum experience working in education, with 2+ years in teaching and/or school leadership
• Bilingual French and English speaker
• Background working directly with government officials and regulatory bodies
• Evidence of generating outsized student learning gains
• Experience working in an organization using structured pedagogy and/or targeted instruction preferred
• Love of travel and ability to spend up to 75% of the job traveling
• Openness to new settings and constant change
• Scrappiness, ability to solve problems when no clear path is presented for doing so
• Attention to detail and ability to learn quickly in order to understand the nuances of a unique education ecosystem
• The skill and discipline needed to create order amidst chaos; strong project management
• Cultural sensitivity and emotional maturity
• Experience of living and/or working in emerging markets, including rural and remote communities.

Values of Successful Employees at NewGlobe

We are looking for new joiners who are energized by our mission and share our values. 

Detailed doers, creative problem-solvers, relentless advocates,  malleable learners, data-driven decision-makers and curious investigators do well at NewGlobe. Learn more about our values and how to succeed as a job-seeker at NewGlobe on our LinkedIn page.