Education Coordinator (Cbe) - Qobayyat

ROLE PURPOSE: In the framework of Save the Children’s emergency response in Lebanon, the Education Coordinator will be a core member of the Akkar education team, overseeing the planning and implementation of community-based education programmes in Qobayat under the supervision of the Education Programme Manager. The Education Coordinator will ensure that the education intervention is of a high technical quality, that monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and followed by all team members, that timely and high quality reporting occurs, and that the programme is continually assessed and solutions quickly put in place in a changing context. With guidance from the Programme Manager and the (Deputy) Area Manager, the Education Coordinator will support field assessments, identifying new geographical areas and education interventions. S/he will also act as the lead community liaison focal point, maintaining a good relationship with local authorities, municipalities and school directors.   SCOPE OF ROLE: Reports to: Education Programme Manager based in Qobayat. Staffs directly reporting to this post: Education Officers and dotted lines to Education Assistants as well as any Finance/Admin staff recruited under education programmes.   KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: With support and guidance from the Education Programme Manager, the Education Coordinator is responsible for the following tasks: Programme Management: Be the interface between the Education Officer, Assistants and the Education Programme Manager, ensuring smooth coordination and information exchange. Be the lead community focal point, ensuring programme goals, objectives, targets, selection criteria and other related issues (i.e. contractual) are clearly and continuously communicated to local stakeholders such as school directors, bus drivers, municipalities, local partner NGOs etc. Liaise on a regular basis with communities, schools, Education Programme Manager, (Deputy) Area Manager and support departments (Log/Finance/Admin) to guarantee the smooth operation of the programme, addressing any issue which needs immediate attention. Support the Education Programme Manager in formulating overall implementation plans and in monitoring expenditures. Support and oversee the Education Officer and Assistants’ work (including Finance/Admin staff) both in the office and in the field and identify capacity building needs. With the Education team, establish operational working plans according to funded targets and activities per location/programme and follow up on timely and quality implementation. Comply with delegated budget holder responsibilities, if any. Coordinate education interventions with other sectors (particularly protection), as appropriate. Ensure recognised international best practices and Save the Children policies are applied in the work with children.   External Relationships Maintain strategic links with key duty bearers and stakeholders such as governmental bodies (MEHE), UN agencies, (I)NGOs and CBOs by participating in relevant coordination meetings and trainings. Identify opportunities of collaboration and ensure Save the Children’s participation in key activities at the local level.   Programme development Participate in the continuous assessment of immediate, mid- and long term education needs and gaps and ensure that findings are appropriately reflected in sectorial meetings and fed back to Education Programme Manager so as to inform strategic decisions/developments. Contribute to establishing mechanisms to ensure children’s and community voices are taken into account when carrying out assessments. Contribute to proposal development by collecting and sharing data from field assessments and providing field inputs. Work with colleagues from other sectors to ensure regular coordination and collaboration in key issues at strategic and programmatic level. Report any integration issues to the Education Programme Manager. Ensure knowledge sharing across the team and that monitoring and evaluation outcomes are understood used to improve programmes.   Monitoring and Evaluation Ensure that projects are monitored regularly and that data is collected in a timely and accurate manner and made available to the Data Entry Clerk. Provide inputs to reports such as situation reports (sitreps), monthly donor reports etc. Ensure clear plans and tools are in place for monitoring and evaluating project activities in relation to the programme objectives and that lessons learnt are identified and shared. In coordination with MEAL and the Programme Manager, adapt or develop new MEAL tools so as to constantly improve MEAL in the education sector. Regularly visit project sites to ensure that teams are appropriately supported and feed back to the Education Programme Manager. Share data and team concerns with the Education Programme Manager on a regular basis.   Human Resources/Capacity building: Support recruitment process at Officer and Assistant level, including shortlisting of candidates, interviews, drafting/revision of interview questions. Build the capacities of local partners, including their project management skills. Establish monthly team capacity building plans and organise relevant trainings if required.   SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice) Accountability: Holds him/herself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved Ambition: Sets ambitious and challenging goals for him/herself and his/her team, takes responsibility for his/her own personal development and encourages others to do the same Widely shares his/her personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others Future orientated, thinks strategically Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships, with his/her team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions Willing to take disciplined risks Integrity: Honest, encourages openness and transparency QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE At least 2-3 years of management experience in an NGO environment, preferably in education in emergencies and/or community-based settings. Bachelor’s degree in education or related field (Social Studies etc.). Solid project and team management skills with a proven track record in delivering quality programmes to deadlines, including finance. Ability to follow up on a range of projects and tasks simultaneously, to analyse information, evaluate options, define priorities and to plan strategically. Knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices in emergency management. Sound understanding of the educational challenges in the current emergency context as well as of the strategies to address them. An understanding of national development issues, in particular in relation to (refugee) children and education, of government institutions (MEHE) and the Lebanese public school system. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic. French language skills are an asset. Excellent computer skills; knowledge of excel and other data entry programmes. Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours according to needs, and work with incoming teams in the event of major emergencies. Former experience working in an emergency context/with refugees an asset. Knowledge of Akkar area an asset.   APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is: September 10th, 2014                    The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process.   STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •           Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •           Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •           CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •           Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •           Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •           Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to Lebanonhrq@savethechildren.org   Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.