Senior Education Officer

Job Purpose Summary In Lebanon, Palestine refugees are economically and socially marginalized.  425,000 Palestinians are registered with UNRWA in twelve official camps and 42 gatherings across the country. However, it is estimated that between 260,000 and 280,000 Palestine refugees are actually currently residing in Lebanon. Lacking basic rights and excluded from state services[1], they continue depending on UNRWA to provide for basic health, education and relief needs. In this varied operational context, UNRWA provides assistance, protection and advocacy for the Palestine refugee population. An independent review of the UNRWA’s education system in 2010 suggested that the education system was rather examination oriented and lacked responsiveness to meet diverse needs of children: traditional teaching methods in regular classrooms were based on memorization and teachers lacked competence for child centered, inclusive teaching practices and learning support. In light of this Review, and other evaluation results, UNRWA developed an Education Reform Strategy (2011-2015). The Strategy comprises eight outcomes to be achieved during the Reform period, including four core outcomes: Teacher Development and School Empowerment, Curriculum and Quality Learning and Assessment, TVET and Youth, and Inclusive Education. The Education Reform Strategy is reflective of the educational developments and priorities in UNRWA and in line with the global frameworks of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Education For All (EFA) movement, and with the regional and respective national educational goals.  The Norwegian Refugee Council started working with UNRWA education department in 2009 in Lebanon, and developed a collaborative partnership with the agency in capacity building of school personnel[2]. This project was followed by a second one, on a 3 year scale: pilot in 2010-2011 – 5 schools involved; followed by expansion in 2011-2012 – 13 schools involved[3] and planned expansion/handover in 2012-2013 with 18 to 20 schools involved. In 2013 NRC has continued its partnership with UNRWA with the introduction of the Inclusive Schools project. In this project, NRC has provided support to UNRWA teachers and Head teachers in adopting learner centered and inclusive ways of teaching. Teaching communities of practice have been established and teachers and head teachers have been supported in reflecting on their practices, exposed to new ways of working, exploring new approaches, and working in collaboration. NRC has also involved parents and the wider community through awareness workshops and sessions aimed at better engagement of parents in the learning and development of their children at school. Through these sessions, parents have developed a better understanding of the new teaching and learning approaches implemented as part of the UNRWA reform. In 2014 hopes to continue to develop this project in up to 16 schools across Lebanon. In September 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding signed between UNRWA Headquarters and NRC Head Office concretized the willingness of the two organizations to work closely together for providing quality education to Palestine refugee children in the whole region. The Senior Education Officer is responsible for the implementation and follow-up of the Education projects in the Beirut area. The Senior Education Officer shall closely monitor the implementation of the education project/s and ensure the good quality of the activities and the timely development of procurement plans and work plans in collaboration with the Education Projects’ Coordinator and under the overall supervision of the Education Programme Manager. Key Responsibilities Staff Management Manage and support the Education Officers in Beirut area. Provide support and build capacity of the supervised staff. Implementation of Activities Responsible for the planning, implementation and follow-up of Beirut based formal education projects in accordance with the Project Cycle Management (PCM) Log frame and budget. Communicate, exchange information and cooperate with the school head teachers and UNRWA Office. Actively promote the Right to Education (including in emergencies) with an understanding of Protection and Child Protection principles along with an advocacy outlook. Collaborate with the Program Coordinator to ensure good quality administration and logistic support to the education programme implemented in Beirut area. Develop timely procurement plans in line with the implementation of activities and work closely together with the Projects’ Coordinator in ensuring proper budget expenditures. Coordination Work closely in collaboration with the NRC-Lebanon Education Technical Team. Work closely with the education sector partners and stakeholders in UN agencies, and international and national NGOs. Attend and contribute to coordination mechanisms and forums as requested. Project Reports Collaborate in the preparation of narrative reports as required internally by NRC (monthly, quarterly and yearly) and by all relevant donors; Monitor, evaluate and suggest changes and improvements in the project and materials based on observations and discussions with the beneficiaries and education team; Compile data as requested by the Projects’ Coordinator and in cooperation with the Knowledge Management Specialist; Other tasks as requested and agreed upon with the Projects’ Coordinator. Supervisees: Beirut Education Officers. Qualifications and Competences Academic and Professional Qualifications Graduate degree in Education, or relevant education degree. Experience in coordinating/ managing education activities. At least 5 years technical and operational experience with education programming. Solid experience and proven track record in the Lebanese formal education sector and UNRWA education system. Relevant Experience Experience in human resources management and capacity building; Experience in working within contexts of complexity, humanitarian crisis (e.g. refugee/IDP, camp and host community contexts); Experience in strategic thinking and planning skills -- able to set priorities, prepare manageable work plans in line with the log frame and budget and to evaluate progress; Experience in teaching, class management and participatory teaching methodologies; Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes Significant understanding of complex emergencies and protracted displacement. Understanding and practice of the Core Humanitarian Competencies and behaviors. Understanding of the Project Cycle Management (PCM). Good understanding of protection/child protection issues. Understanding of gender equity and gender responsive programming. Proven skills in report writing. Willingness to commit to the NRC code of conduct and international laws/codes/conventions related to the rights of children and the overall protection of children. Committed to implementing programs that involve children and youths at all levels of the project implementation. Good understanding of the Interagency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) and the Minimum Standards for Education. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational and team working skills. Good cultural awareness and sensitivity. Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential. Knowledge of the NGO operations and the dynamics of the humanitarian sector is a plus. Goal oriented and visionary. Ability to work under pressure and independently. Flexible and creative, with a sense of humor. Cooperative and diplomatic. Good team worker. Fluency in Arabic and English. Achievement indicators Delivering working tasks in a structured and professional manner Meeting deadlines Applying to the NRC standards, policies and guidelines Adapting and coping to change Communication with impact and respect Objectives have been reached according to the established work plan; Procurement plans have been developed and expenditures are in line with the planned and agreed upon budget; Quality reports have been produced at regular intervals; NRC logistical, financial, administrative and security procedures have been adhered to; Contributions to team-work and a professional working environment is noted; Contact with relevant external actors (partners and education authorities) has been established and followed up upon regularly; The NRC Code of Conduct is followed at all times; Coordination, collaboration and cooperation with NRC core competencies is promoted and practiced; Upholds NRC in the education sector and the quality of NRC’s work is noted as relevant and meaningful in the hosting community and among beneficiaries;