HOPES English Access Programme In-Country Coordinator, Lebanon

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Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview:

HOPES - Higher and Further Education Opportunities and Perspectives for Syrians is a European Commission (EC) funded Higher Education project which aims to increase participation and provide better access to quality further and higher education opportunities in the neighbouring region for young vulnerable Syrians. The project also aims to help vulnerable youth within host communities, in order to improve their prospects in the short-term and, in the longer term, to contribute to the preparation for post-crisis reconstruction of Syria. The project is being implemented in Egypt, Northern Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey which are countries particularly affected by the Syrian crisis and the influx of Syrian refugees.

The British Council is responsible for working with local Ministries of Higher Education and universities in each country to develop university based English Language and Study Skills courses to enable Syrian students to enter higher education institutions. Through our partner organisations DAAD, EP Nuffic and CampusFrance, HOPES also provides full scholarships for study in the refugees’ host countries, a Call for Proposals providing funding for other higher education training initiatives, and regional and national policy dialogues

The project aims to achieve the following specific results:

• Increase the numbers of Syrian and vulnerable Lebanese students enrolled and trained in certified and recognised higher and further education programmes and training courses.
• Significantly improve the capacity of institutions in the region to provide young Syrians and other vulnerable groups with opportunities to access further and higher education opportunities.
• Provide scholarships and establish a counselling mechanism to enable access to information and support to young Syrians about existing opportunities for further and higher education.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role:

• Opportunity to develop as a Project Management professional
• Contribution to the success of the HOPES project on a national and regional level
• Working in a very topical sector with interest from major stakeholders and training future influencers in Syria
• Gaining experience working with British Council and EU reporting systems and procedures
• Developing experience of working with budgets
• Being part of an enthusiastic international project team with members from four European countries and five countries within MENA
• Opportunity to develop a network in Lebanon and internationally
• This is a complex project across multiple geographies with multiple consortium partners

Main Accountabilities:

We are seeking a full-time English Access Programme In-Country Coordinator for the duration of project.

S/he will be an important role for the success of the programme. Her/his role will be to provide essential liaison and communication between the HOPES Education Officer, partner universities and the British Council to ensure that HEEAP (Higher Education English Access Programme) courses are successfully set up and monitored.

The main tasks will include:

• Working closely with staff at existing partner universities and provide them with logistical and coordination support for the implementation of the English Access Programme to Syrian refugee students
• Facilitating project buy-in and day-to-day support, to identified local partners’ staff
• Supporting the HEEAP Regional Project Manager in the identification of an additional Higher Education partner, and negotiating and implementing English Access programmes with them in 2019
• Acting as a focal point for university partners in Lebanon where this fits in with HOPES.
• Reporting and updating project management plans, FCCF, country plan and internal documents as and when required by Country Director, Lebanon
• Liaising with all parties and provide regular and clear communication, supporting the achievement of the project activities
• Coordinating work between the local Education Officer (Campus France), identified University partners and British Council to:
• Secure English language training places for identified beneficiaries
• Ensure beneficiaries have access to Education Officer who helps them to secure educational opportunities whist undertaking English courses
• Supporting HEEAP Project Manager in monitoring the English Access Programme including gathering data and results for reporting purposes
• Generating monthly and quarterly activity reports to feedback to HEEAP Project Manager
• Editing, standardising and maintaining HEEAP document templates on the SharePoint site
• Ensuring the compliance of the EU regulations and principles on the project activities
• Accounting for internal and external financial management of project activities
• Supporting HEEAP Finance Manager in reporting to EU on a quarterly basis
• Contributing to building the portfolio of higher education work in Lebanon 

Key Relationships:

Internal

• HEEAP Regional Project Manager (Egypt) Line Manager
• HEEAP Finance and Compliance Manager (Egypt)
• HEEAP Academic Manager (Egypt)
• HEEAP In-Country Coordinators (Jordan, Turkey)
• HOPES Education Project Manager, Country Lead (Lebanon, Campus France)
• British Council English SBU, HR, Finance and NEO Teams
• Education and English Programme Manager. Lebanon, dotted line management
• Country Director, Lebanon
• Exams manager, Lebanon

 
External

• European Union Delegation Lebanon
• Local partner university staff (Lebanon)
• I/NGOs working on Syrian Refugee Issue in Lebanon
• Council of Higher Education
• Consortium staff
• UN Higher Education working group

Role Requirements:

Passport requirements/ Right to work in country: Post holder must be eligible to work in Lebanon.

Direct contact or managing staff working with children? No. IF YES. Appropriate police check

Notes: The post involves:

• Frequent travel in Lebanon
• Frequent offsite work
• Occasional early morning, late evening and weekend work

Person Specification:

Language requirements:

Minimum / essential

• English at Proficiency LevelB2
• Arabic at Proficiency Level C1

Desirable

• French at Proficiency Level B1

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Qualifications:

Minimum / essential

• University Graduate

Desirable

• Project management qualification
• Education/ELT qualification

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:

Minimum / essential

• Understanding of education, higher education and its link to social development
• At least two years’ experience of project management experience on a project or in a related field

Desirable

• Academic management
• Working with refugees/vulnerable students
• Previous experience working on EU project structure and reporting

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Role Specific Skills (if any):

• Working to deadlines
• Adherence to British Council regulations
• High level of flexibility and multitasking
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills for dealing with a wide range of people e.g. refugees, teachers, senior university staff, consortium partners and the EU

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Core Skills:

Managing Projects (level 3)

Analyses requirements with the sponsor/stakeholders, defining the specification with awareness of equality and diversity impact, planning, revising, implementing and evaluating on small-to-medium scale and/or low risk projects.

Communicating and influencing (level 3)

Displays good listening, writing and speaking skills, setting out logical arguments clearly and adapting language and form of communication to meet the needs of different people/audiences.

Planning and Organising (level 3)

Develops and reviews the implementation of annual plans for a work group or function, taking account of business and customer requirements and reconciling competing demands.

Using Technology (level 2)

Works as an advanced practitioner in the use of office software and/or British Council standard and social media platforms and trains or coaches others in their use.

Assessment Stage

Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Behaviours:

Making it happen- More demanding

Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results

Being accountable – More demanding

Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own

Creating shared purpose-Essential

Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together

Connecting with others – More demanding

Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others

Assessment Stage

Interview