CITTA Education Foundation India
Academic Manager
About Us
CITTA India is a not-for-profit organization that works extensively in health, education and economic development within India. Its key focus is on providing quality health and education and promoting social awareness in underprivileged communities in India. CITTA India believes that ending poverty begins with respect and understanding. We take a localized approach that harnesses the power of local cultural history and community ties to bring education, equality, and economic opportunity to everyone in our partner communities. It is CITTA’s stated aim to “empower girls through celebration and participation in their cultural heritage andprevent harmful practices.”
A key initiative of CITTA India is The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School, aimed at educating girls and preserving traditional skills in the rural Thar Desert of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The school and its associated projects are part of a broader vision to foster sustainable development and cultural heritage in the region.
About The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School
The school was opened in 2022. The school has been set up to educate the girls beyond the region’s current low levels of literacy and numeracy as well as train them in traditional skills such as artistry, weaving and embroidery. The school takes its name from one of the royal family’s ancestors: Princess Ratnavati and receives additional investment from Infosys.
It is the first part of the three part The GYAAN Center designed by Diana Kellogg Architects. “Gyaan” is the Sanskrit word for knowledge.
Set in the stunning, unique Thar Desert, the school is a half hour drive from Jaisalmer, often referred to as the “Golden City”. This visually rich and extraordinary setting is a backdrop to a complex cultural and social-economic environment. Levels of literacy are low and often the girls at the school are the first-time learners in their own families. Only 66% of people in Rajasthan are literate and a mere 52% of women are in this category.
Mission Statement
At the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School, we strive to be a beacon of excellence in the provision of education for local girls, showcasing the skills and experience of our learning community, providing a sustainable, safe, and stimulating environment for local girls to learn, where all are valued.
The girls should enjoy their learning, achieve their potential and become independent life-long learners, in turn strengthening their role as women in their communities and keeping themselves safe. We are committed to the families we serve, providing support and encouragement for academic and cultural learning and excellence.
The School
The pedagogy of the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School School is versatile and adapts methods depending on learners’ needs. Its approach is, in essence, pragmatic and seeks to support the development of academic and cultural needs. Beyond this the aim of the school is to produce happy well-adjusted, resilient young women, who become leaders and productive members of the local community and beyond.
The school is committed to the families and the communities it serves, providing support and encouragement.
The school began with an enrolment of 140 girls from Class 1 to 4 moving up in the school each year until the school reaches capacity at 400 students up to Class 10. Currently the school boasts five grades with one class per grade. Each class has between 25 and 30 students. The girls will be expected to sit state exams annually in line with education across the country.
As the school evolves, so its approach to teaching the girls responds to their needs and its cultural backdrop. It aims to be flexible in its educational outlook and will accommodate an innovative approach, ensuring safeguarding measures are maintained.
Job Summary
CITTA India seeks a dynamic and experienced Academic Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for working on academic processes. These include building standard operating procedures, designing need based curriculum for classroom teaching and content development. A critical element of the role is also strengthening the School Management Committees (SMCs), working on community projects. The ideal candidate should have experience in education in a rural setting with an inclusive approach towards the community. This role requires a candidate with a vision to elevate rural education through exploring different models of education globally and incorporating various learning methods and systems.
Responsibilities:
Exploring Global Educational Methods:
• Explore and incorporate global educational methods to frame a world-class approach to rural education and learning.
• Research and implement best practices from international education models to enhance the school's curriculum and teaching methodologies.
Research and Curriculum Development:
• Develop a comprehensive curriculum and learning and development program that aligns with the school's goals and objectives.
• Design and implement curriculum for scholastic learning as per the Rajasthan State Board and New Education Policy focusing on enhancing learning outcomes through innovative practices.
• Create and deploy curriculum via trainings and games, supporting the Game Development Team in creating educational games on 21st-century skills.
• Conduct thorough needs assessments to identify gaps in current educational programs, analyze content, provide recommendations for improvements and drive the implementation of these recommendations.
School Processes and Administration:
• Deploy robust structures and process for the safeguarding of students.
• Develop and manage efficient school processes such as mid-day meals, library management, new admissions, outreaches etc. to ensure smooth operations and align with the school's goals.
• Oversee the implementation of the curriculum, manage school administration tasks, including scheduling and resource allocation.
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of school processes and make necessary improvements.
• Oversee the library, and other aspects of the school to ensure they align with educational goals and community needs.
• Manage all aspects of the school, developing and implementing suitable guidelines like child safety, regulation of external visitors to school etc.
Community Development:
• Foster strong relationships with local communities to support educational and cultural initiatives, engaging with community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders to promote the school's mission.
• Develop and implement community outreach programs to encourage participation and support for the school, ensuring alignment with the broader vision of CITTA India.
• Establish CITTA India's experiential learning and community work initiatives.
• Work on the strengthening of the school management committee and community projects. Work on community development projects with the fellows.
Student Assessment Design:
• Develop and implement comprehensive student assessment tools that align with the curriculum and educational goals, including regular assessments and tests (scholastic and non-scholastic).
• Design assessments that incorporate a mix of scholastic, non-scholastic, and mindset questions. Analyze assessment data to identify areas for improvement, provide targeted support to students, and document and report on student progress.
• Study international child development assessments and implement relevant assessments.
Teacher Development:
• Anchor the academic performance of teachers through effective training and professional development programs focused on scholastic, social, emotional, and ethical learning, as well as art and 21st-century skills.
• Provide training to school teachers and staff to build their capacity in implementing the new curriculum and learning and development programs.
• Conduct regular field visits and classroom observations to support and mentor teachers, ensuring effective delivery of lesson plans and educational activities.
• Train and build the capacities of internal teams and teachers, regularly evaluating the effectiveness of training programs.
Qualifications:
• Proven experience in curriculum development and teacher training.
• Clear understanding of the Rajasthan State Board and New Education Policy. Experience in developing and implementing innovative educational practices. Ability to conduct and evaluate training programs.
• Proven documentation and research skills. Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
Additional Information:
• The Consultant will be based out of Kanoi, Rajasthan. The salary range for this role is 6.5-7 lacs per annum. A degree in Education is preferable.
If this sounds like you, please apply here: http://bit.ly/3T2Ofdt