Practitioner Specialist

Job Description

The Reimagining Early Childhood Education (RECEPZ) project has been established to promote and investigate the practices of inquiry, innovation, and learning design amongst a cohort of educators representing a diverse array of early childhood learning settings in Abu Dhabi. Funded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), this five-and-a-half-year project endeavors to change the education landscape throughout Abu Dhabi by leveraging Project Zero’s long history of professional development, pedagogical innovation, and collaborative inquiry.

AGPN Practitioner Specialist

The AGPN Practitioner Specialist is an experienced educator and teacher leader who participates in all aspects of the intellectual work of the project, with special responsibility for overseeing study groups associated with the Al Ghad Public Nurseries (AGPN)—a growing community of Arabic-speaking early learning centers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The AGPN Practitioner Specialist will work flexible hours as necessary given the time difference for the UAE participants. The AGPN Practitioner Specialist will visit the UAE 3-4 times per year with other members of the project team to facilitate workshops, conduct school visits, and support study group members.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Collaborates on project strategy and design - Works collaboratively with the Principal Investigator and other team members to determine project goals and priorities. (10%)
• Designs and facilitates professional development - Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator and in collaboration with Senior Research Managers, designs and develops learning community sessions, study group meeting agendas, and other tools central to the collaborative inquiry of over 100 educators from participating schools—with a special focus on the Al Ghad Public Nurseries. (20%)
• Supports classroom inquiry and school-based learning communities - Supports educators in conducting inquiry and innovation projects in their classrooms and provides expertise in facilitating school-based learning communities through small group and one-on-one virtual and in-person meetings and conversations to clarify and deepen understanding of key concepts and ideas. (25%)
• Builds and maintains educator relationships, collects documentation, and provides insights - Builds and maintains strong working relationships with participating educators. (25%)
• Contributes to project materials and dissemination - Contributes to the creation, testing, and dissemination of project materials. (20%)

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in education or a related field
• Three or more years of related work experience, ideally in an early childhood educational setting
• Ability to communicate effectively in Arabic, along with strong understanding of cultural practices and social norms prevalent in Arabic‑speaking and Muslim communities.
• Candidates wishing to be considered must submit a cover letter along with their resume.

Additional Education, Experience and Skills:

• Experience working with young children and teachers
• Experience designing and leading professional development (both online and in person) for teachers and administrators
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Master’s degree in Education or a related field preferred

This is a term position with an end date of 11/30/26 with likelihood of continuation.