Education Officer (2)

NRC Education Response in Lebanon The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) established its presence in Lebanon during the early days of the 2006 war. By April 2007, an education in emergencies programme was launched providing catch-up classes and recreational activities to Iraqi refugee children and youth. In the fall of 2008, the programme expanded to include further support to Palestinian refugee children and youth and in 2013 it expanded even further to respond to education needs of Syrian refugees. In 2014, NRC Lebanon offers quality education support to Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian and Iraqi children and youth. NRC’s work with Palestinian Refugees NRC started its collaboration with UNRWA’s education department in 2009, offering professional development for school personnel. NRC’s programme with UNRWA includes support to community participation, student empowerment, and education personnel support. To date, NRC has supported more than 30 UNRWA schools in Lebanon, under a regional MOU with UNRWA, which allows for NRC education activities to be implemented, not only in Lebanon, but throughout the region. NRC focuses on two main areas of cooperation with UNRWA; 1) to support UNRWA in implementing its Education Reform Strategy and 2) to support the provision of education during emergencies. Education for Iraqi Refugees In July 2010, NRC opened an Iraqi Community Center in Sid El Bouchrieh, Mount Lebanon. Through this centre, NRC promotes access to basic rights for refugee youth and adults in Lebanon. It provides youth and adults with education opportunities including basic vocational trainings, language and computer skills which are important both for building a future and for enhancing coping mechanisms during their stay in Lebanon. NRC also provides Iraqi refugees with the necessary information to access services in Lebanon; as well as with additional skills and tools, favouring personal resilience and development. Education for Syrian Refugees NRC’s education strategy to support refugees from Syria to access their right to education takes place through the following responses: a) Working closely with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Lebanon Education Working Group (EWG) by supporting education assessments and designing education responses in line with the Lebanese Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Standards for Education in Emergencies and international standards.  b) Providing learning support and recreational activities to refugee and host community children so they can access and stay in school, professional support for teachers, awareness sessions for parents, and minor school rehabilitation for schools hosting refugee children. c) Supporting alternative education options and non-formal education opportunities including, accelerated education and ongoing learning support classes. JOB PURPOSE Under the guidance and supervision of the Education Field Coordinator, the Education Officer will be responsible for setting up preparations and conducting further execution of the new UNRWA project, which aims at supporting UNRWA Education Reform System, teachers’ training, PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), and Students’ Parliament demands. The EO will mainly be following up and improving  teachers’ performance in UNRWA schools, collecting data, monitoring the teaching- learning process, and provide coaching support to teachers. The Education Officer is expected to work in accordance to the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships.  1.      Role and responsibilities The following is a brief description of the role. Generic responsibilities: Implement education assessments (i.e. teachers’ training needs, students’ participation, school management, parents/community involvement in education etc …). Ensure that the project implementation is realized in a timely manner and as per the objectives and planned activities. Ensure an integrative programming approach with other NRC Lebanon Programs. Participate in designing of training programs based on teachers’ needs assessment. Ensure involvement of school management, students, teachers and wider community in activities undertaken in the programme including assessment and maintain good relationship with all parties. Organize teachers’ capacity building workshops and learning events according to NRC’s materials and mandate Ensure that NRC activities are implemented in accordance to INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergency, Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (including monitoring of child abuse and/or mistreatment). Participate in the organization, facilitation and implementation of training modules/ training programs for education staff - teachers, administrative staff, supervisors, counselors etc… Participate in the development of oral and written communication tools (ex.: newsletters). Provide facilitation, organizational and logistical support to NRC staff engaged in trainings related to education/protection/development issues. Organize and facilitate workshops/ sensitization sessions on education and child protection (and other topics as needed) with students, parents, community members & leaders. Monitor and document according to NRC/supervisor guidance, the correct implementation of lessons through continuous classroom observations. Specific responsibilities Under the guidance and supervision of the Education Field Coordinator/ Senior Education Officer: The Education Officer is expected to spend 80% of his/her time in the schools where the programme is being implemented and 20% in his/her duty station office. Provide timely reports to the line manager.  Work with school management on communication with parents. Develop personal monthly work plan and contribute to team work planning. Conduct trainings for teachers and continue to support teachers through regular coaching. Perform any other tasks requested by the line manager. Carrying out all activities and liaison with their designated schools, including students, teachers, school management and school community. The focus of the work of the education officer is with teachers, parents and school management. Regularly liaise with school principals, students, parents and teachers. Draft activities and other reports upon the request of the supervisors and according to defined tools. Critical interfaces Relevant interfaces for this position are: UNRWA education personnel Teachers Parents Education Team Other NRC core competencies Students/ Children Members of the school parliament School management Area Education Focal Point Achievement Indicators Quality of education activities is ensured and reflected through enhancing teachers’ performance via conducting special trainings that addresses and entails several educational aspect, and which aims at improving teachers’ communication skills Quality induction for teachers and in service training are implemented, monitored and evaluated in accordance to the work plan during the project implementation. Right to express ideas and thoughts is presented and echoed through assigning students to elect members of the parliament who will in turn be the voice to submit and expose their scholastic demands and needs. Communicate interactively with school management to organize events and trainings to be implemented. Build rapport with parents to help them interact more positively with teachers, to establish PTA. Accurate and on time reporting and data collection is ensured in accordance with NRC tools and expectations. Adherence to the NRC standards, policies and guidelines.   Adapting and coping with change. Communication respectfully with beneficiaries and other stakeholders. 2.      Competencies  1. Professional competencies Generic professional competencies for this position: Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in humanitarian or related field. Qualified and experienced teacher / master trainer / counselor / social worker. Knowledge & relevant experience in child protection issues. Experience in designing & facilitating training programs. Experience in participatory programs. Experience in community sensitization / mobilization. Ability to work under pressure. Strong documentation, research and report writing skills. Background in curriculum and syllabus design. Willingness to travel to multiple field sites. Context related skills, knowledge and experience: Good communication and interpersonal skills Strong organizational and team working skills Good cultural awareness and sensitivity Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential Very Good English Language level (Business English is a plus) Knowledge of the NGO operations and the dynamics of the humanitarian sector is a plus Team spirit Flexibility Strong communication and organizational skills.  Maturity and capacity to work in complex political and social contexts 3.       Behavioral competencies Managing resources to optimize results Handling insecure environments Empowering and building trust Open minded and flexible Appropriate time keeping and organized Ability to always be punctual and meet deadlines Ability to adapt with relevant work conditions 4.      Performance Management The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the NRC Performance Management Manual. The following documents will be used for performance reviews: The Job Description The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan The Competency Framework Performance Management will be led and managed by the Education Field Coordinator/ Senior Education Officer and supervised by Education Project Coordinator.