Consultant- Language Acquisition Specialist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worldâs worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worldâs worst humanitarian crises, helping people survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC provides lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees fleeing war or disaster. Today, the IRC operates in over 50 countries, working to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions of displaced individuals.
Following assessments conducted in Italy in January and July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified in the assistance provided to refugees and migrants. These include mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance for unaccompanied children, information provision, and legal support.
To address these gaps, the IRC established a presence in Italy. Programs include Refugee.Info (a web-based information platform), child protection for unaccompanied children and trafficking victims, mentoring for the socio-economic inclusion of refugee youth, Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and education programs (such as social-emotional learning and healing classrooms).
Since March 2024, IRC Italy has been implementing the AMIF-funded Theory of Change project, supporting educational professionals, adolescents (ages 11-19), and families with migrant backgrounds in fostering language learning and early integration into host communities. IRCâs role includes developing a Toolkit on inclusive teaching methodologies and school environments, along with a Game Bank for education professionals.

SCOPE OF WORK
SUMMARY OF THE ASSIGNMENTWe are seeking a Language Acquisition Specialist to collaborate with the IRC Education team in building a comprehensive Toolkit based on an in-depth needs assessment with education professionals, collaborators, migrant children, and their families. The Toolkit will offer strategies and standardized processes for promoting second language acquisition among migrant children and adolescents (ages 11-19). It will also include a Game Bank, offering activities to enhance learning and foster inclusive, cross-cultural educational environments.
The Specialist will provide technical expertise in designing methodology sessions and developing best practices for language learning in both formal and non-formal settings. Additionally, the Specialist will deliver training sessions on the Toolkit to project partners.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT-  Development of Toolkit and Game Bank (80 hours)
-  The Language Acquisition Specialist will:
-  Develop a theoretical framework for second language instruction for migrant children in formal and non-formal settings.
-  Provide guidelines for session design, aimed at education professionals, on teaching a second language to migrant children.
-  Offer strategies for incorporating language instruction into daily educational routines.
-  Training of Project Partners on the Toolkit (30 hours)
-  The Specialist will collaborate with the IRC Education team to co-design and facilitate training sessions for project partners on the Toolkit and Game Bank.
-  The first part of the training will be held in Milan during a two-day workshop in February 2025.
-  The second part will be conducted online between February and March 2025.

DELIVERABLES-  A Toolkit on language acquisition for migrant children in formal and non-formal educational contexts.
-  A Game Bank aimed at enhancing learning and fostering inclusive, cross-cultural educational environments.
-  Training materials for project partners.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS-  Masterâs Degree or higher in Applied Linguistics, Language Acquisition, Education, or a related field.
-  Expertise in second language acquisition or multilingual education.
-  Experience working with migrant or vulnerable children.
-  Proven experience in curriculum development, particularly in creating toolkits or instructional frameworks for language learning.
-  Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops for education professionals.
-  Strong understanding of the linguistic and cultural challenges faced by migrant children in different educational settings.
-  Willingness to travel for the Milan training.
-  Ability to conduct remote training sessions.
-  Fluency in spoken and written English; proficiency in Italian is an advantage.
Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way â our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. 
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. #Li-Remote

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way â our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

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