Two Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) are needed to serve as Library Curriculum Developer and Facilitator with Region 5 of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) in Jamaica. As the largest Agency of the Ministry of Education the JLS has always provided supplementary support for the students at the infant, primary and secondary levels. With the introduction of the New Standards Curriculum (NSC) the need has arisen for specialized support for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination. In 2009, JLS launched an Early Literacy Stimulation program for Parents Reading With Babies and Toddlers, and this program is viewed as a key step towards early literacy from home as it would prepare parents to introduce reading, assist language development and create a solid foundation for learning before the kindergarten years. The program needs to be rebranded and re-launched with a purpose to impact early reading at the kindergarten and infant school level. The support of Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) has been requested to work concurrently in two different parishes, Manchester and St Elizabeth, on revitalizing the Early Lap-Reading and creating a support system for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination.

The PCRVs, with a master’s degree in Education, Library and Information Studies or related fields and three years’ experience implementing literacy or library-based learning initiatives in settings that include children from diverse and low-income communities are needed to work with their respective parish teams as well as consult with each other on the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination and Early Lap-Reading program. The initial assessment will involve conducting a sector inventory, mapping of services, and interviews among senior management, middle management, curriculum unit staff, and teachers to provide insights into the recent history and current aims of leadership in specific operational terms. The overall goal of this assignment is to develop a standardized framework for the Parent and Toddlers Lap-reading program and create a proposal on the ways in which the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) center will help students to prepare for the PEP assessment in Language Arts.

Please note that departure dates and other details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations. Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Jamaica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.

Region 5 of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS)

• High tolerance for ambiguity and high level of flexibility – some details of this project could change because of the uncertainties as Peace Corps and local partners resume volunteer operations
• MA in Education, Library and Information Studies or related fields
• Three years’ experience implementing literacy or library-based learning initiatives in settings that include children from diverse and low-income communities
• Experience in assessment and report writing; training and facilitation
• Working knowledge of qualitative research methodologies
• Ability to live and work under challenging emotional and physical conditions
• Ability to work within a regional team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated flexibility in cross-cultural environment
• Ability to engage at all levels – community to policy