ECD Training and Capacity Building Manager - Beirut - FOR NATIONAL CANDIDATES ONLY

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world.

In response to the influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon in mid-2012, IRC opened a country office and launched humanitarian assistance programming. IRC operates throughout Lebanon, with the main office in Beirut and field offices in Qobayat, Zahle, Tripoli, Tyre and Mount Lebanon. IRC’s programs assist Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in host communities across multiple sectors: education, livelihoods, protection, women's protection and empowerment and child protection in close coordination with the Lebanese Government and broader Humanitarian Community.

High-quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide the foundation for children’s future academic success, health, prosperity and wellbeing. A large body of scientific evidence emphasizes the need for increased investment in early childhood, particularly for children experiencing conflict, crisis and displacement; these children are extremely vulnerable to the long-lasting effects that prolonged stress has on the developing brain.

In December 2017, Sesame Workshop and the IRC were awarded the MacArthur Foundation’s inaugural 100&Change grant to make real progress toward solving a critical problem of our time. With this extraordinary investment of $100 million, an equal investment from the Lego Foundation, and many other grants, our partnership will transform the development, language, early reading, math, and social-emotional skills of a generation of children ages 0-8 affected by the Syrian war. For more information, please visit: http://refugee.sesameinternational.org/.  

Job Overview:

The ECD Training and Capacity Building Manager leads the design, planning, and implementation of all ECD-related learning, training, and capacity building initiatives. The position strongly backs up the ECD team, by providing technical oversight and support, and plays a key role in ensuring harmonization of best practices across geographical areas. The position develops and supports delivery of training and capacity building to IRC staff members across relevant sections, and different stakeholders as needed, including government entities. The position is also responsible for building the capacity of all relevant parties for the integration of Ahlan Simsim content across platforms, and supporting the development and adaptation of content with partners and government, with guidance from the Regional Technical Lead and HQ.

Major Responsibilities:

• Directly manage and support the Senior ECD Training and Capacity Building Officer
• Support the design, development, adaptation, and integration of content and new methodologies, as relevant to all implementation platforms;

• Leads learning, training, and capacity building initiatives;
• Lead the design, planning and implementation of inclusive ECD Training of Trainers (ToT), trainings,  and workshops to relevant audiences within and outside the IRC, including partners from Government entities, NGOs, CSOs, etc.;

• Support in the planning and execution of inclusive ECD training and capacity building budgets;
• Supports in the design and implementation of inclusive ECD capacity building plans at the field level, including coaching and on-the-job training;

• Build the capacity of technical staff in charge of supervising inclusive ECD-related initiatives in pilots within other IRC sector programs, through training and regular coaching.
  • Build capacity of the ECD team, providing ongoing coaching and support to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions;
  • Identify individual training needs and ensure access to training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs;
  • Maintain open and professional relations with ECD team members, promoting a strong team spirit, oversight and advise;

• Whenever required, be the representative of IRC ECD;
• Analyze technical gaps and program impact at the community level;
• Analyze lessons learned and share best practice;
• Act as key focal point for relevant ECD partnerships;
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation of training and capacity building initiatives;
• Conduct field visits as needed;
• Finalize high quality and timely donor reports in collaboration with ECD colleagues and other relevant IRC departments;
• Write regular reports as relevant;
• Organize and attend regular meetings with relevant stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and streamlined approach across target areas;
• Collaborate with relevant ECD technical and field teams to optimize the ECD technical program implementation.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  IECD Coordinator
Position directly supervises:  ECD Senior Training and Capacity Building Officer
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: ECD Content and Quality Manager, ECD Managers in Tripoli, Akkar, and the Bekaa, ECD Officer in Mount Lebanon, RMEAL team, Deputy ECD Coordinator, Senior Partnerships Officer, regional Ahlan Simsim Technical team, HQ TU for ECD/Education.

External:  relevant government entities (MEHE, CERD, MOSA, etc.), local NGOs and INGOs, UN agencies, local ECD stakeholders, donors, Sesame Workshop, New York University

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in social work, education, or any relevant related field
• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of ECD, Child Protection, or any other relevant field
• At least 2 years of experience working with communities and overseeing community-level programming/services (awareness sessions, parenting sessions, case management, etc.)
• At least 2 years of professional experience in capacity building and/or training
• At least 2 years of professional experience managing people, directly or indirectly
• Demonstrated knowledge of developing new community-level awareness raising and assessment tools
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing data collection and M&E activities
• Demonstrated capacity to lead a team (organize, plan and oversee)
• Demonstrated capacity to write clear and thorough reports
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, and capacity to maintain excellent working relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Demonstrated capacity to perform well under pressure with overlapping deadlines in a challenging environment
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English
• Adhere program implementation to IRC policies at all times, including confidentiality and safe identification/referrals

Preferred:

• Working experience with an NGO/INGO
• Working experience with the Government
• Master degree in social work, education, social sciences, development, or any relevant related field.

Working Environment:  

The position is based in Beirut.