Education Manager (Bekaa) - FOR NATIONAL CANDIDATES ONLY.

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee is an international organization specializing in emergency and humanitarian programming. In response to the influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the IRC is starting an Education program, with program strategies to be implemented in various locations, mainly in North Lebanon Governorate and Bekaa Governorate. The Education Manager (Bekaa) will be responsible for providing support and direct supervision to the officers in the implementation of all education activities in the Governorate: location identification and start-up of community-based education classes, identification and enrollment of students, mobilization and outreach to parents and community members,  recruitment and ongoing professional support to teachers, procurement and distribution of materials, ongoing monitoring of activities, representation in all relevant internal and external coordination forums, and preparation of regular activity reports.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Education Manager (Bekaa) will supervise the start-up and ongoing implementation of safe and appropriate community-based education activities done through direct implementation and with partners as part of a broader education strategy.

Position objectives:

• Effectively manage the education team in the governorate, including ongoing technical and operational support
• Ensure high quality and timely delivery of education programming in the governorate, that is responsive to the needs on the ground and well coordinated with all education actors
• Coordinate with Partnerships team and Education Coordinator in supporting EDU partners in the Bekaa

Who this position reports to: Education Coordinator

RESPONSIBILITIES:         

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise education staff in Bekaa.
• Support the provision of ongoing supervision, leadership, training and technical support and guidance to all program staff. Ensure staff adhere to best-practice principles when working with children, youth, and community members.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Plan/coordinate and oversee staff workplans, work and vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities.
• If/as required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Mentor and support staff’s professional development and foster a positive team spirit to encourage innovative and quality programming.

Activity Planning & Implementation

• Prepare and maintain/update detailed workplan(s) that support and achieve the overall grant timeline and completion date
• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of the workplan and quality of technical activities, share relevant information and direction to improve quality and achieve timelines
• Approve expenditures to designated level; assist in managing and monitoring monthly expenditures and tracking budgets.

Grant Monitoring & Reporting

• Undertake regular field monitoring visits to assess progress and identify technical quality issues and/or other implementation issues, provide solutions and implement modifications as required.
• Ensure all monitoring activities are fully documented, including systematic and timely data collection as required under the grant and for internal M&E purposes.
• Produce/contribute to internal and donor narrative reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements.
• Ensure that the program is implemented according to schedule and budget and that project objectives are met.
• Ensure that the project undertakes continuous monitoring and evaluation so that activities are appropriate and based on a clear understanding of the problems, causes, contributing factors, and issues specific to out-of-school or at-risk children and youth.
• Support the collection, analysis and dissemination of project data and information for problem analysis, planning and evaluation with all stakeholders.

Coordination & Representation

• Work closely and coordinate with logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and complaint program activities and expenditures; including active participation in internal meetings.

• Work closely with other IRC programming sectors to ensure information sharing about geographic targets, cases to be referred or supported by other sectors, and holistic integrated support to communities; continuously coordinate with other program managers including child protection, protection monitoring and information sharing, women’s protection and empowerment, and economic recovery and development.
• Undertake/participate in liaison, coordination, and information sharing activities with national NGOs, international organizations, donors and government.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders including community leaders and other implementing partners.
• Coordinate with and/or advise peer agencies, local government, and other stakeholders to promote delivery of high quality education programming and to ensure adherence to best practices for education in emergencies.

Program Development

• Assist in the collection of data, assessments and proposal development for the sector.  

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and  liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Partnerships

• Collaborate closely with Partner staff in the field supporting technically when needed
• Participate in the different processes of the partnership management such as but not limited to the due-diligence process, review of work plans, partnerships meetings as well as review and reflection visits
• Work closely with the coordinator and the partnerships unit to identify potential partners.
• Co-lead the review of the performance of the partner, of the IRC, and of the partnership, including successes, challenges and lessons learned.

Professional Standards

• While working on an IRC project, you are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the country employment policies.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor of Education, social sciences, international development or related field.
• Clear understanding of education in emergencies, including barriers that children face in accessing their right to education.
• 3-5 years professional experience in teaching or school administration, providing teacher professional development/training, psychosocial support activities, curriculum development, community mobilization for education.
• Previous experience leading teams in education programming.  
• Experience facilitating trainings and workshops on education topics.
• Familiar with emergency contexts and issues.
• Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting.
• Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods of community development and mobilization.
• Comfortable attending and facilitating meetings and representing education issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
• Fluency in English and Arabic strongly preferred
• INGO experience preferred

Travel and other requirements: The position will be based in Bekaa, with some travel required between the governorates and the main IRC office in Beirut.

WOMEN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY