International STEM Specialist

Funder: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Duration: 2024-2028

Contract type: Consultant, intermittent, long term

Expected date to commence the Services: 6 August 2024 

As a key expert of the STEM-EdTech project team, the specialist will have responsibility for working with and advising the EA and IAs/PIUs specialists and staff at all level on the development of STEM Education in target secondary schools and throughout the various Ias of the EA. S/he will be responsible for:

i. collaborating with relevant EA’s assigned education specialists and Ias’/PIUs’ staff and the project’s targeted USSs to develop and implement a school-based STEM Framework27 leading to effective implementation of STEM curriculum at school level

i. co-leading the STEM-EdTech project team to develop and facilitate a continuous professional development (CPD) program28 for NIE teacher-educators, general and technical upper secondary STEM subject teachers, and school principals focused on strengthening STEM curriculum implementation in USSs (i.e., school- based STEM Framework, competency-based education and assessment, lab safety, and technology in education), in co-ordination with NIE and ITC/CSTC;

ii. providing technical assistance to NIE to effectively implement an improved STEM practicum approach including a feedback system on the relevance of PRESET for program improvement on an annual basis;

iii. collaborate with the relevant EA’s assigned education specialists and school-based STEM subject technical leaders,to support the integration and implementation of the school- based STEM Framework through professional learning communities (PLC);

iv. building on the available designs and laboratory safety/operations guidelines produced under the upper secondary education sector development programs (USESDP and USESDP-2) to design/update a STEM classroom/laboratory safety system including teacher guidelines for safe laboratory practices, use of safety equipment, student safety induction guidelines and code of conduct, safety signage, and a reporting system for accidents.

v. Providing technical input to NIE for the production of lab safety videos.

vi. providing advice, as required, during the design phase of the Cambodia Science and Technology Center (CSTC).

vii. nsuring the implementation of the Gender Action Plan as it relates to STEM Education in target upper secondary schools. 

Qualifications

1) A tertiary qualification in STEM education field is required.

2) At least 7 years teaching experience in secondary-level science and/or mathematics including competency- based education and assessment. 

3) Strong English language skills (spoken and written).

4) A working knowledge of continuous professional development (CPD) approaches in school settings is desirable.

5) Previous Cambodian and/or other Southeast Asian project implementation experience would be an added advantage.