Education Programme Manager

Who are we  Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental international humanitarian organisation, and was founded in 1968. Concern Worldwide currently operates in a number of countries across the globe, with its Head Office in Dublin. We work with the poor and vulnerable in the world’s poorest countries to help them bring about long-lasting change in their lives and realise their fundamental human rights; to food, to health, to education, and ultimately to a life of dignity. Together with local and international partners, and with the beneficiaries themselves, we respond to emergencies and undertake long term development work.  We work across the world to promote a better understanding of extreme poverty, and we campaign for local and global action that will help reduce this.   Job Purpose:   The Education Programme Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of the education programme targeting refugee and host community children, youth and parents in Akkar and Tripoli/T5, Northern Lebanon.       Main Duties & Responsibilities:       Programme Design and Development:       To review education interventions building on Concern’s Education strategy for Lebanon and Concern’s Global Education Strategy To develop project proposals for the implementation of the prioritized interventions Liaise with in-country donors for thematic discussions and to secure financial support for the proposals Regularly update the staffing plan for the programme and oversee the recruitment and training of new education field staff.       Programme Management:       Directly manage the education team leader and the education field officers Support and manage research and advocacy interventions related to the programme Ensure linkages, synergy and complementarity with other Concern sector programmes (Shelter, WASH, protection, livelihoods) through joint planning, monitoring and evaluation.   ·         Ensure that all project targets are reached in accordance with agreed project objectives, as per contracts with donors, in line with the overall project approach and ensure integration with other programme activities. ·         Carry out regular field visits to inspect classes and organize regular project review sessions through participatory methodologies involving beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the areas of intervention, with the aim of establishing and/or verifying emerging needs, gaps and priorities, and communicate these to the Programmes Director as part of a continuous programme review and improvement process.   Ensure that all resources (technical, financial, HR) are in place to implement the education programme in accordance with the work plans and realistic timeframes and milestones agreed with donors.   Take a lead on researching new initiatives that lead to improved education outcomes for children and youth. Explore the options to develop partnerships with local organizations and other agencies active in the sector. Ensure that issues of gender, equality, school-related-gender-based-violence, accountability, risk and vulnerability are addressed and monitored to show progress or highlight the need for programme modification. Ensure education teams have strong community facilitation (pedagogical skills) and good understanding of participatory and child centred learning methodologies Produce high quality programme reports.       Coordination and Networking:       Represent Concern at education meetings (district, national and international) coordinating with the MEHE (Ministry of Education and Higher Education), UNICEF, NGOs and other organisations ensuring Concern’s work is linked into the education results based framework of the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan Participate in the national strategic planning process for the education sector and appropriate technical working groups. Link with the government at the district and national levels to ensure that programming is jointly planned and sustainability of the interventions is maximised. Disseminating learning internally, nationally and internationally from our education programme.   ·         Ensure the participation of project stakeholders (municipalities, local communities, public schools) in all stages of the programme cycle.       Programme Planning Monitoring & Evaluation:       Ensure that Concern’s PCMS and PM&E guidelines are followed in programme/project development Ensure that Concern’ accountability and HAP commitments are reflected in Concern’s programme design, implementation, monitoring and Evaluation. Support the development of downward accountability mechanisms as an integrated part of the planning and evaluation cycles i.e. going beyond participation as consultation and actually stimulating participation and accountability both in working through partners and direct implementation. Ensure that the project intervention has no negative impact on the condition of beneficiaries and make sure that this is also addressed during the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the projects Support the team and partners to analyse data collected to use the information to inform programming. Advise and assist in the design of a results framework for education and carry out education surveys, baseline data collection and analysis of data to develop appropriate M&E systems Ensure that an M&E plan is established with clear goals/ outcomes/targets with measurable indicators; Provide direction and support to the education team regarding results based management; Support and strengthen the monitoring and evaluation strategy for the education programme;       Procurement and Budget Management:        Oversee the review of tender documents as necessary ensuring that Concern’s and donors’ policies and procedures are applied and followed in the selection of suppliers, contractors and consultants Participate in all budget planning, monitoring and financial reporting exercises with regular liaison with the Country Financial Controller Approve budgeted expenditure in line with Concern’s internal thresholds and donor financial guidelines, ensuring that requested expenses match approved procurement plans Monitor project budget and management accounts, flagging over/under expenditure and recommending corrective measures in a timely manner to ensure that relevant activities are being implemented in accordance with agreed budgets and timeframes. Prepare monthly budget forecasts with reference to the overall programme annual budget forecast and submit to the Country Financial Controller (CFC) on time.  Monitor warehouse material stocks and ensure that deliveries are done and utilized in compliance with Concern procedures.       Human Resources Management:       Lead and manage staff, contributing to their capacity building and career development. Provide technical support and on-going on-the-job training, coaching to staff, and other capacity building measures for national staff including in particular a thorough induction at the start of their contract. Ensure that all positions have accurate job descriptions. Ensure that each member of the team fully understands outcomes which are expected of them, by setting SMART objectives, and that they are aware of the success criteria relating to their work. Monitor and review performance through Concern’s Performance Development Reviews system (PDR’s) and hold staff accountable for meeting the success criteria. Give corrective feedback where required and take decisive action in the case of poor performance. Ensure that work within the team is planned and organised in a way which will meet the organisation’s needs in the most cost effective manner possible; ensuring that team members are given appropriate workloads and are working efficiently. Identify staff training needs and recommend on-job or other capacity building measures in close consultation with the Programmes Director, the education advisor and the HR department. Proper planning of staff leaves and absences.         Accountability:       Participate in the implementation of accountability and quality initiatives ensuring that they are integrated into the programmes Adhere to and promote Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct (P4 and CoC) Implement preventive measures to reduce the potential for abuse in Concern programme (as per P4 section 6) Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director and/or the Programmes Director       PERSON SPECIFICATION   Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:   Degree in Education Minimum of five years post qualification teaching experience and education project management experience Fluency in English Experience of working with and leading multi-disciplinary teams and knowledge of integrated programming Experience of participating in programme design Empathy with Concern’s goals and a commitment to capacity building, protection and participation   Training and facilitation skills; ability to motivate and develop skills of others Experience of refugee and/or IDP programming Experience of working/living in insecure and sensitive environments Knowledge of Arabic and or French an advantage   Experience with donors such as UNICEF, UNHCR, Irish Aid, ECHO and/or EU       Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:   Excellent interpersonal skills and team sprit Ability to work on own initiative Flexible and adaptable approach to working   Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines