Education Technical Adviser - Damascus (National)

TITLE: Education Technical Adviser 

TEAM/PROGRAMME: 

Impact and Influencing

LOCATION: Damascus/ One of the Syria Country Offices within Syria with expectation to travel to other locations 50% of the time

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 3:  the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The overall responsibility of the Education TA is to provide technical expertise which enhances the quality of the Syria Response Office’s work in the education sector, with specific responsibility for strategic planning and programme development as well as quality assurance and knowledge management across the education portfolio. 

The work supports the consolidation and expansion (as feasible) of the existing education in emergency response inside Syria as well as the development of new programmes which address the longer-term educational needs of Syrian children. 

Programme development involves a leadership role in sector strategy development, programme design, proposal development, liaison with key donors and coordination with other implementing agencies. Expected to further develop multisectoral coordination and programming design within the SRO and externally including Government, UN, NGO and local partner counterparts, ect. 

Quality assurance and knowledge management requires a lead role in education specific MEAL and QA processes, as well as technical oversight of needs assessments and written reports for donors and other agencies. Quality assurance will also focus on Teacher Professional Development, Common Approach Development and implementation, ensuring technical value add for programming.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Head of Programme Quality and Impact

Staff reporting to this post: This is an advisory role with no direct line management responsibility; however, the role provides technical backstopping and guidance to program staff based on the updated structure. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Strategy Development and Delivery

Research, development and regular review of education sector inputs which inform the Country Strategic Plan.

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of effective, child wellbeing, literacy/numeracy and other technical focused assessments for the education sector, including primary and secondary data analysis and consultations with relevant stakeholders. 
• Ensure the integration of child protection into the education strategy and contribute to integrated programming approaches with other sectors through participation in country strategy development.
• Produce technical input to contribute to the country strategic plan documentation, ensuring the strategic focus has a clear vision and is informed and guided by defined quality standards and global Common Approaches for Education. 
• Support operationalization of the strategic plan through technical guidance on phasing and leading on fundraising for sustainable growth of the education portfolio. 
• Lead on lessons learnt and quarterly review sessions and on strategy updates for education as agreed. 
• Co-lead end-of-project workshops with Area Office Head of Programs and other sectors TA’s. Specialized focus on lesson learnt and best practice stock taking and future programming design. 

Programme Development and Programme Quality

Quality project designs and proposal development in line with the education strategy and portfolio funding needs. 

• Lead the field-level research phase of programme design in coordination with MEAL teams, including needs assessments and stakeholder consultations. Provide primary technical analysis on data collected.  
• Support the Partnerships Manager and the Programme Manager in engaging suitable implementing partners. Provide technical capacity review of potential partnerships. 
• In collaboration with NBD, Lead in the drafting of programme concepts and programme design documents. 
• In coordination with NBD, Support proposal development submissions working with the Programme Manager

Quality Assurance, MEAL and Reporting

Technical expertise on effective quality assurance systems to guide and monitor programme planning and delivery.

• Follow up on the development of an effective Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning system and quality assurance tools to guide implementation including programme level indicators and quality checklists.
• Support effective monitoring of programme delivery at the outcome level through analysis of data and support to mid-term and final evaluations. 
• When need, review procurement plans and Budgeted Versus Actuals for technical specifications/compliance where necessary
• Provide technical input to the program team and Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning teams to ensure programmatic design adjustments if objectives are not being delivered to programme standards and targets. 
• Promote internal knowledge management by documentation of lessons learnt, best practice and case studies to inform ongoing strategy review and development. Support the identification of additional funding resources where required for contingency and emergency support on existing programmes. 
• Review written reports to donors, ensuring they are technical sound, donor compliant and of the highest quality.
• Lead on the development of technical aspects of Log Frames, Theories of Change and Concept Notes for funding opportunities

Capacity Development:

Technical support to national staff and local partners in the design ,delivery and evaluation of education programmes.

• Develop learning needs assessment and capacity building plans for both SC and partner staff, linking capacity building initiatives to wider opportunities identified via coordination and networks.
• Coach and mentor Education Team and link in to wider organisational talent development mechanisms.
• Oversee development (and in some cases the delivery) of technical training material and deliver trainings to programme teams and partners.
• Deliver technical trainings and capacity building support in consultation with each field Office prior to every field-level visit. 
• Develop in-depth field visit reports for each field Office, focus on quality update, team capacity update, key identified barriers or gaps, strategic opportunities and advise on steps forward. 

Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning:

• Help shape broader education sector strategies through influence of and leadership within inter-agency coordination forums, ensuring the specific needs of children are being addressed.  This may involve direct engagement with the Education Working Group or sub-groups where needs demand.
• Participate in inter-agency forums at the country, regional and global level on broader education strategy development, including minimum standards for inter-agency programming.  Play a key role in shaping education communications and media priorities and product in line with thematic priorities.
• Ensure that Save the Children's planning and work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies (UNCEF, NRC... etc.)  and Government.
• In collaboration with advocacy staff, assist in education advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels and review communication and media content related to education. 
• Work with the Advocacy, Media and Communications (AMC) unit in the Syria Country Office to develop external messaging reports and advocacy “spotlight” pieces 
• Provide external technical representation to various stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral relationships and advocacy for the Education context in Syria.
• take a leadership or representation role within Interagency Coordination forums In coordination and collaboration with cluster coordinators.

HR 

• Support the recruitment of education positions, including the development of job descriptions, tests, interview grids, and oral interviews. 
• Develop terms of reference for technical consultant inputs and coordinate consultant recruitment.

General:

• Demonstrate leadership in relation to Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self-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 themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their 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; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• At least 7 years of work experience in Education and EiE programmes in both humanitarian and development contexts. 
• Education to MSc/MA level in Education, Social Work, Human Rights Law, International Relations, Development Studies or similar.
• Ability to identify the main gaps in the education sector in the given context to inform a holistic response for children.
• Experience and commitment to integration within education programming, including child protection and psychosocial support/ other sectors. 
• Previous experience of managing a team and of project management in a complex situation. 
• Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating education programmes in emergency, transition and development contexts.  
• Ability to work both in an Advisory and a hands on implementation capacity.
• Experience of representation and ability to represent Save the Children effectively in external forums.
• Experience of preparing successful funding proposals for donors
• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy 
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to and understanding of child rights, the aims and principles of Save the Children, and humanitarian standards such as the Sphere Charter and the Code of Conduct. In particular, a good understanding of the Save the Children mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.
• Fluency in Arabic and English, and Kurdish language is an asset.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of working and living in the Middle East Region
• Specific experience of designing and managing FCDO, ECHO, BHA, GAC, SIDA and other major donor projects
• Specific experience in the following technical areas: non-formal education, early childhood education, curriculum development, teacher professional development, supporting formal education systems and Education recovery and development program.

The Organization
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
· All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
· Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.