Iraq: Education Coordinator - Iraq

INTERSOS is an independent non-profit humanitarian organization committed to assist the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable and unprotected people.

1. Terms of reference

Job title: Education Coordinator

Location: The post holder will be based in Erbil with regular visits to the projects’ locations in Erbil, Kirkuk and Ninewa Governorates, as well as missions to Baghdad and other Iraqi Governorates, as necessary

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Starting date: October 2016

Duration of contract: until the 31^st of December 2016

Dependents: No

2. General context of the mission

INTERSOS had been working in Iraq from 2003 till 2010 with programs aimed at responding to urgent material safety needs and enhancing access to basic social services for vulnerable individuals and communities in Southern Iraq, Baghdad and Kurdistan. Over the years, INTERSOS operations developed encompassing activities in health care, legal protection and assistance, warehousing and distribution of essential goods, mine/UXO clearance, shelter, water and sanitation, psychosocial support and education, targeting internally displaced people and voluntary returnees, as well as host communities, with special focus on most vulnerable groups (children, women, elderly and persons with special needs).

Following the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation which is negatively affecting also the neighbouring countries, in November 2013 INTERSOS has resumed the operations in the Country to contribute towards ensuring emergency relief and social protection assistance for the Syrian refugees fleeing their home in search of safety. Furthermore, since the surge in violence between armed groups and government forces with fighting spreading into Central and Northern Iraq, in July 2014 INTERSOS has extended its operations and is currently providing services aimed at assisting both Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs in camp and non-camp settings, with interventions mainly concentrated on the Community Services, Protection, Food Security and Education Sectors.

In particular, education for Syrian refugee and Iraqi IDP children and youths has been severely disrupted by the war. Lack of access to education directly impacts children and youths' safety and well-being, and will eventually deprive them of future opportunities. Targeted education and psychosocial support activities are therefore crucial in mitigating the impact of conflict and displacement. The interventions designed by INTERSOS intend to contribute towards enhancing the overall protective environment by ensuring that children and youths have increased access to quality learning opportunities and psychosocial support activities, as well as appropriate protection services.

3. Tasks and responsibilities

The Education Coordinator is in charge of the coordination and supervision of the all education-related activities and services, ensuring timely and quality implementation and monitoring in compliance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures, INEE Minimum Standards, Good Practices in Education in Emergency Responses, International Principles and Guidelines, INTERSOS Fundamental Charter and Code of Ethics. Moreover, the Education Coordinator is in charge of supporting the Head of Mission in the development, implementation and evaluation of the country strategy and programme in the Education Sector.

Main responsibilities:

1. Planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the education programme - including informal, non-formal and formal education activities for children, adolescents and youths, ensuring timely and quality delivery of the targets set as per approved projects’ proposals.

2. Building the capacity, coordinating and supervising the education staffs and volunteers, as well as the local counterparts, providing ad hoc training sessions and continuous on-the-job coaching.

3. Maintaining relations pertaining to the education programme with donors, local authorities, government institutions, partners, key stakeholders, and other relevant actors at the national, regional, governorate and field level.

4. Assisting the Head of Mission in the development, implementation and evaluation of the country education strategy and programme, providing technical inputs, suggestions for improvements and recommendations for future actions.

More specifically:

Programme activities planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation

1. Support the Project Managers in preparing, managing and regularly updating the education projects’ activities work plan and related financial plan / procurement plan, ensuring timely and quality implementation in compliance with the defined projects’ strategy, as well as INTERSOS and donors’ guidelines.

2. Work closely with the Project Managers and the logistic, administration and finance staffs to procure all equipment, supplies and materials, as well as works and services, required to implement the education projects’ activities, ensuring cost efficiency and accountability in compliance with INTERSOS and donors’ regulations and procedures.

3. Provide inputs, guidance and support to ensure the quality implementation of the education projects’ activities from the technical point of view.

4. In cooperation with the Project Managers, elaborate and/or contextualize already available support tools to monitor and evaluate the education projects’ activities, as well as to collect feedback and complaints from beneficiaries and target populations at large.

5. Undertake field visits to the projects’ locations as needed to continuously monitor the progress and the quality implementation of the education projects’ activities.

6. Continuously assess, analyze and evaluate the impact of the education projects’ activities to inform and adjust the programme accordingly.

7. Report in a timely manner to the Head of Mission any eventual challenges or delays faced, loss or damage occurred, fraud or misuse detected.

8. Work closely with the colleagues to ensure the integration of the education programme with other sectors of intervention.

9. Undertake field visits to the projects’ locations as needed to continuously monitor the progress and the quality implementation of the education projects’ activities.

10. Continuously assess, analyze and evaluate the impact of the education projects’ activities to inform and adjust the programme accordingly.

11. Report in a timely manner to the Head of Mission any eventual challenges or delays faced, loss or damage occurred, fraud or misuse detected.

12. Work closely with the colleagues to ensure the integration of the education programme with other sectors of intervention.

13. Provide the Communication Department in the HQ with relevant information on the education programme, as well as related photo and video documentation, prior notification to the Head of Mission.

4. Required profile/experience

· Advanced university degree in education or social science related fields such as Pedagogy, Psychology, Political Science, International Relations, International Development Cooperation, Sociology or similar subjects. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

· At least 3 years of professional work experience in management/coordination of education-related activities and services in humanitarian and/or development contexts, including at least 1 year in emergency settings.

· Ability to set high standards for quality of work

· Ability to administrate funds, logistics and human resources

· Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships

· Ability to analyze and integrate quantitative and qualitative information from a wide range of sources

· Ability to propose innovative approaches and cost effective solutions

· In-depth knowledge of EiE, as well as CP and PSS, fundamental concepts and principles

· Good communication skills, both oral and written

· Mastery of IT tools (MS Office package, internet, e-mail, etc.)

· Previous experience in designing and coordinating education in emergency interventions with large staff teams

· Previous experience in designing and conducting education in emergency training programmes with a variety of stakeholders

· Proficient knowledge of English is required.

· Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Qualified applicants are requested to submit their curriculum vitae, motivation letter and 2 referencesto:recruitment@intersos.org, specifying in the subject ‘Education Coordinator Iraq”**

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview