Catholic Relief Services Europe/Middle East and Central Asia Region. Job Description

Transcription

1 Catholic Relief Services Europe/Middle East and Central Asia Region Job Description Position Title: Project Officer for Quality Education Department: Location: Cairo Reports To: Deputy Project Manager Supervisory Responsibilities: Quality Education Project Assistants Compensation Band: C2 Background The CRS Egypt country program began in 1956 at the invitation of the Egyptian president Nasser by providing relief assistance to the victims of the Suez War. Over the following few decades, CRS Egypt moved from large-scale food relief to long-term poverty alleviation and development programs. CRS Egypt works in a wide variety of areas within the development field. Currently, CRS Egypt has three main programs: the livelihoods program, interfaith peacebuilding program and the education assistance program for refugees. Projects under these programs range from the provision of technical assistance and capacity building to partners, and promoting peace and tolerance, to educational grants for refugees, and the protection of children who are victims of trafficking. Additional programming includes Emergency Preparedness and Response projects that arise as need be. A regional Management Quality unit assists the CP support department in developing and maintaining the highest level of operations standards. CRS Egypt currently holds a main office in Cairo, and a sub-office in Maadi. CRS educational assistance for refugees and asylum seekers provides over 30,000 children with access to education through a financial grant program and improves the quality of education received by students through a variety of non-formal educational activities and initiatives to improve the learning environment of students. These two components of the annual program require a substantial full-time staff as well as volunteers who assist in project implementation periodically throughout the year. Job Summary Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Manager, and in close collaboration with other program staff working in s Education team, the Project Officer will be responsible for the overall implementation of the Schools related activities including assessment of refugees community schools, monitor the quality of education in these schools using the project school assessment tool and training Schools managers and administrators on designing and implementing non formal education activities. Project Officer for Quality Education Band C2 JD Page 1 of 6 Nov 2017

2 Additionally, the incumbent will be managing the financial assistance provided for these schools, identify their educational, and non-educational needs, and drafting customized school improvement plan with the necessary follow-up mechanisms and tools. Also s/he will keep accurate and up to date record of the community schools profile in a way that allows assessing the impact of CRS/UNHCR interventions of these schools. The Project Officer will work with a minimum of 22 community schools, Database consultant, vendors, other CRS project s school assessment and education experts, and local organizations to accomplish these tasks. Key Result Areas 1. Carrying out the School Assessment Lead the introduction, testing, piloting and rolling out of the project new school assessment tool to all the concerned staff members. Conduct, in close collaboration with other project staff members, the 22 schools assessment. Identify the needed aspects of support for the 22 community schools based on the assessment findings. Draft a customized school improvement plan for each of the assessed community schools, validate with the community school management, and follow up on the implementation. Report, and present the findings of the assessments to the joint UNHCR/CRS committee to help reaching a well-informed decision with respect to the amount allocated to each school in light of the assessment findings. Keep records of the detailed assessment findings utilizing the RETS system, and the committee decisions as well. 2. Financial Management for the Community Schools Financial Assistance A. Fees Support to the refugee schools Ensure, in coordination with the Access Project Officer, that the amount of 150 EGP has been deducted out of the educational grants of the students enrolled in refuge schools and that these amounts have been given to the school management in accordance with the project agreement conditions and standards. Follow up with the project financial officer on the spending level of the reimbursement budget line and make sure that all schools get the money they are eligible for. B. Direct Financial Assistance to the refugee schools Materialize, the joint committee decisions regarding the direct financial assistance allocated for each school. Communicate the committee decisions to the finance department and make sure that all payments are done I accordance with CRS/UNHCR requirements. Work with the school to form a board of trustees, in case they do not have one, so they are eligible to receive the assistance. Draft sub-grants agreement for each school outlining CRS, and the school management obligations towards the achievement of the sub-agreement objectives Project Officer for Quality Education Band C2 JD Page 2 of 6 Nov 2017

3 Monitor, in close collaboration, with the project finance office, the budget line of the financial assistance provided to the schools to ensure compatibility with the donor requirements and budget ceiling. 3. Enabling Access to textbooks: Acquire each school list of needed textbooks across all grades. Identify a competent service provider that can meet the deadline at the highest level of quality. Communicate regularly and efficiently with the schools to be aware of any sudden changes and take the necessary corrective measures. Acquire schools managers feedback on the textbooks delivered. 4. Designing Teachers Training: Identify the needed training for refugees community schools teachers. Select the best service providers/training institute for certified training. Mobilize teachers for each training round based on their level of skills. Coordinate with the training providers and the school management to ensure regular attendance. Organize graduation ceremonies. 5. Managing the Non-Formal Education Activities portfolio: A. Outsourced Activities: Identify best service providers. Mobilize and select proper target segment for the activity. Ensure proper implementation and reporting on the activity taking into consideration MEAL standards. B. Project Implemented Activities: Develop a plan for the selected schools to attend the TOT pilot phase. Develop a training curriculum to build the capacity of the schools on designing and implementing NFEAs. Identify competent consultants to invest in the schools teachers, and management to acquire them the necessary skills to design their own NFEAs. Deliver the NEFAs training to the selected schools providing tools for training application. Reflect with the schools on their application of the training to ensure maximum learning from the experience. Run efficiently study clubs in different governorates 6. Coordinating Community Engagement & PTAs: To create relationships and engagement networks within the refugees community for the purpose of communicating the project activities. To put an action plan for working with the Parents Teachers Association in a way that builds their capacity and activate their role in the education of the refugees children. Project Officer for Quality Education Band C2 JD Page 3 of 6 Nov 2017

4 To manage and utilize databases of community contacts, community info forums, and key community agencies and develop strategies on their use. To create and staff an information stall at an agreed calendar of community events to allow for promotion of the project communications materials and other UNHCR important announcement as required. To perform any other duties as required, including providing support to the project team. 7. Protection related Activities Assist in implementing Life skills activities including art therapy workshops, camps, resilience and psychological activities. Assist in conducting periodical needs assessment using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Assist in organizing awareness campaign on Child Protection issues. Assist in testing innovative resilience interventions to be implemented for UASCs. Assist in reporting on a timely basis, in line with UNHCR/CRS requirements 8. Systematic/Periodical Tasks Update, regularly, the RETS Schools section and make sure that it reflects all the assessment findings in addition to other project interventions inputs (Teacher training, textbook, and enrollment statistics) to ensure that a data-driven assessment approach is in place. Manage, in close collaboration with CRS IT Officer and RETS Database Consultant, the migration of the data entered during the assessment, using ICT4D tools, to the RETS in a way that enables the project to have all the schools related data into the system. Develop, in collaboration with the school management, a protection issues complaint system, and apply a referral, monitoring and reporting system. Any other tasks assigned by the QE Technical Advisor, DPM or DHOP. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Support: Contribute to the design and implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Systems/Plan/Binder in accordance with CRS EMECA MEAL standards and priorities. Participate in development of MEAL Systems/Plan/Binders that is in harmony with CRS EMECA MEAL priorities. Implement MEAL activities to capture project progress, ensure accountability and the support of a learning environment Implement and if applicable support partners in the regular quantitative and qualitative data collection according to the timeframe and methods specified in project MEAL System/Plan/Binder. Support accountability mechanisms Use data for decision making, project communication and the capturing of lessons learned and best practices Internal Coordination and Communications: Project Officer for Quality Education Band C2 JD Page 4 of 6 Nov 2017

5 Take part in regular team meetings, staff meetings, and program (technical) meetings with other implementing NGOs/Government agencies and institutions. Coordinate with other peers all activities in support of the grant/project. Undertake donor liaison in the field as required in support of senior management. Implement the MEAL activities to capture project progress, accountability and learning environment and it applicable work with partners to ensure consistent understanding and implementation of MEAL activities. Mediate as necessary among local actors during project life. Protection: Complete the Protection training module through CRSLearns (Staff Only); Familiarize themselves with the Protection Policy; Sign the updated Code of Conduct and Acknowledgement of the Policy on Protection from Abuse and Exploitation; Report concerns of suspected exploitation or abuse in accordance with the Reporting Procedures. Key Working Relationships: Supervisory: Project Assistants and Volunteers Internal: All CRS staff External: Refugee schools, local organizations or vendors, other local organizations working with refugees Agency-Wide Competencies: These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results: Serves with integrity Models stewardship Cultivates Constructive Relationships Promotes learning. Program Quality Competencies: Builds and Leads Effective Teams Supervises and Develops Program Staff Leads Growth in Programs Focus on Quality Position Requirements and Qualifications: Professional Qualifications: 2-3 years of experience in related field Experience in education, research or international development. A hand on experience in dealing with refugees would be an asset Prior experience with international, bilateral or multilateral organization. Strong ability to read and interpret policies and regulations. Fluency in written and spoken English with strong drafting skills. Project Officer for Quality Education Band C2 JD Page 5 of 6 Nov 2017

6 Ability to make oral presentations and write clear reports and guidance in English and Arabic. Skilled in MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Internet. Seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside Development Agencies. Education: Graduate degree in a directly related field; Significant work experience in a directly related field will be considered in lieu of a graduate degree Personal Competencies: Experience working with youth and child-related programs. Special analytical skills and sensitivities toward the most vulnerable Familiarity with gender, protection and SGBV a plus. Excellent writing and communication skills. Comfortable working as part of a team and under time and work pressure. Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties Well organized, able to plan, prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines Personal ability to deal, in a humble and dignified way, with a vulnerable segment of beneficiaries. Capacity to initiate, sustain and deepen relationships with key partners. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work smoothly in a multi-cultural environment while building good teamwork spirit. Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively across different constituencies. High tolerance rate for working under pressure and dealing with diversified cultures and tense situations. Customer Service approach. Strong ability to analyze data, identifies gaps, and makes recommendations. Position requires flexibility and the capacity to deal with ambiguity and change Physical Requirements/Environment: Normal conditions of an office environment. Regular travel to field offices. Job requests travel to field/upper and Lower Egypt in order to assist partners and follow up projects (Approximately 15%). Position requires flexibility and the capacity to deal with ambiguity and change until regional systems and standards are in place. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. Project Officer for Quality Education Band C2 JD Page 6 of 6 Nov 2017