People for Education is seeking a Project Director for a ground-breaking new initiative to develop a set of key indicators – clearly and specifically defined – by which to measure progress on young people’s right to an education that prepares them for long-term success in the 21st century. The Project Director will be responsible for coordinating and managing the project, working with an Advisory Committee of experts, and conducting research as required.

The Right to Education project will convene cross-sector expertise to develop thinking, research, communications products, and policy recommendations. It will include the identification of key components of a right to education; a review of the literature internationally and in Canada; and the identification of gaps in the existing knowledge of, and approach to, the right to education, especially in the context of today’s economy.

The goal of this initiative is to develop a set of key indicators – clearly and specifically defined – by which to measure progress on young people’s right to an education that prepares them for long-term success in the 21^st century.

Right to education in Canada not currently clearly defined

Canada has affirmed the right to education as a signatory to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and Canada is a signatory to the UN Sustainable Development Goals which lay out a commitment to equitable quality education. However, up to now, there has been little work to elaborate the components of that right.

Canada also has a well-developed educational system with broad access, highly skilled teachers, and strong outcomes. However, the right to education in Canada is neither clearly defined, nor experienced equally.

The goal in the first year of this project is to develop a draft framework outlining the core components that should be included in children and young people’s right to education in Canada.

We are seeking an experienced researcher and project manager to lead this work.

The opportunity

The Project Director, reporting to People for Education’s Executive Director, and with coordination support from People for Education staff, will be responsible for coordinating and managing the Right to Education project and conducting research as required.

The work will involve an iterative process, working closely with an Advisory Committee of experts who will play an integral role in the development of a draft Right to Education Framework.

The Project Director – under the guidance of the Executive Director and the Advisory Committee – will develop a plan to review literature, policy, other Canadian and international strategies and links between educational and other human rights.

This is a one-year contract position, with the potential for renewal pending results from year one and the development of specific deliverables in subsequent years.

Key Responsibilities

The Right to Education Project Director will be responsible for:

• Identifying and sequencing the activities required to meet the project goals, and determining the resources needed to successfully complete the project
• Developing a project plan
• Working closely with People for Education’s Executive Director (with support from a project coordinator) to organize, set agendas and support Advisory Committee meetings
• Developing and managing a communications strategy for the project including communications with the People for Education team, the Maytree liaison, the Right to Education Advisory Committee, and updates to the public when required
• Determining the objectives and measures upon which the project will be evaluated
• Updating and maintaining project plans and documenting and presenting status reports
• Writing reports to funders
• Ensuring that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality

Requirements

• Relevant and demonstrated project management and research experience managing large, multi-pronged initiatives
• Specific experience with large scale research projects
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability and experience delivering results within tight deadlines and in complex environments
• Excellent oral and written communication skills across a range of products and channels (bilingual in French an asset)
• Strong interpersonal, team leadership and collaboration skills, and capacity to work with leaders from multiple fields
• A proven ability to build and maintain relationships both within an organization and with external partners
• Working knowledge of MS Office suite and Project Management Software or equivalent
• A relevant graduate degree and experience in indicator development

This is full-time, one-year contract position, with the possibility of extending for multiple years. To apply, please submit a letter and CV to Annie Kidder, Executive Director, People for Education [email protected]