TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programs

External representation and communications: Level 4

Communication, representation and liaison with various audiences is a critical component of the role – both oral and written. It involves negotiation, influencing skills, and reflecting SC Jordan’s expertise in education with senior level representatives and affected populations including governmental level decision makers, donors, partners, children, caregivers, and the wider global SC movement. A very high level of spoken and written English is critical.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post will require the post holder to have the capacity to design safe programming and risk assessments for child rights activities

ROLE PURPOSE:

As a senior member of the programs department, the Head of Education Program will oversee the strategic vision, direction and implementation of SC Jordan’s education programs with a wide range of operational approaches and technical focus on early, inclusive, and quality education. S/he will be tasked with developing and proposing holistic concepts and innovative designs for new project proposals and interventions that support SC Jordan’s long-term strategy in alignment with national strategic priorities and plans, in addition to SC’s education global initiatives. S/he will apply proven strategies to increase access to inclusive education for the most vulnerable and marginalised children, taking a whole child approach to education programming, while supporting project managers to deliver quality education services. The position holder will lead on government relations to ensure strong understanding of capacity strengthening priorities of counterpart ministries and government entities for inclusion in programs and interventions designs, as well as new business development. 

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Program Development and Quality Director

Staff directly reporting to this post: Project Managers/ officers

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Lead the technical design and implementation of education interventions for both humanitarian and development contexts.
• Provide technical oversight and backstopping of all education project activities to ensure successful program implementation.
• Improve program quality by leading the development, review, and cataloguing of standardized education technical tools, manuals, guidelines, trainings, regulations and protocols.
• Lead on partner and staff capacity building and mentoring for education interventions.
• Work cross-functionally (programs, finance, awards, and advocacy, media and communications departments) to lead on education technical initiatives. 

• Lead the implementation of the education strategy in line with Save the Children’s global priority areas of early childhood care and development (ECCD), basic education, education in emergencies, disability inclusion, and gender equality.
• Keep abreast of global and national education sector trends, developments and policies, and adapt and promote introduction of new methodologies, innovations and best practices.
• Work closely with the Ministry of Education and key stakeholders to strengthen early education systems, policy and governance – including school leadership and management – to explicitly address barriers to early and inclusive learning, factors driving exclusion; educational continuity, teacher wellbeing and professional development.
• Regularly liaise with Save the Children’s global internal forums, as well as the Regional Education Technical Advisor.
• Work closely with the SC Jordan Senior Leadership Team to support fundraising for education initiatives, including engagement with donor technical focal points, and development of high-quality concept notes, proposals, and logical frameworks.
• Oversee the development of program and donor reports on education projects in compliance with internal Save the Children Jordan requirements and any relevant external donor requirements.
• Provide general oversight to education budgets on projects, consultancies and other education initiatives.
• Working closely with the HR team, identify inclusive education staffing needs (both national and international) and ensure rapid recruitment, induction, and training of new staff.
• Lead on early, inclusive assessment design and information analysis with the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) team.
• Working closely with the MEAL team, put in place education monitoring plans, project quality indicators, ensuring links to reporting requirements, SC’s Common Approaches, and build the capacity of field staff in carrying out MEAL activities.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to put in place accountability activities for education, ensuring that feedback from all partners / relevant stakeholders is considered in program design.
• Ensure valid and standardized measurement tools and assessments capture outcomes, allow for analysis, and promote an iterative process of program implementation to regularly address evolving gaps, needs, and barriers to keep programming highly adaptive and effective.
• Ensure lessons learned and good practices are documented and disseminated to shape in-country strategies, program approaches, and contribute to broader sector learning.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Minimum Standards for Education in Humanitarian Settings, the Sphere Charter, and Red Cross Code of Conduct.

Representation, Advocacy,  and Organisational Learning:

• Ensure that Save the Children Jordan’s work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies, and take a leadership role within the national education coordination forums.

• Influence policy and practices and represent Save the Children Jordan at national/regional forums, working groups and other co-ordination and liaison meetings with partners, peer agencies, and donors.
• Provide technical inputs/support to other SC offices when directed by SC Jordan management.
• Lead education research initiatives to build knowledge and efficient learning that will translate to higher quality programming for the most vulnerable children in Jordan.
• Present data, evidence, and innovative practices to high level decision makers
• In collaboration with senior program staff, develop education advocacy plans and support advocacy activities that target decision-makers at all levels.
• Work closely with advocacy, communications and campaigns department to develop position papers, briefs and talking points as a reference for the organization, as well as deliver statements to media, and conduct media interviews as a subject matter expert when relevant. 

BEHAVIORS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources and time, effective task prioritization, 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 both realistic expectations and ambitious goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and while also pushing the team to improve.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children Jordan, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Ability to build, strengthen and address inter-team dynamics
• Maintains effective relationships with partners and external stakeholders
• 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
• Respects deadlines and is able to work outside working hours, when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Postgraduate degree or equivalent in the field of education.

• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in early education, policy development, research and analysis, project design and proposal development.
• Demonstrated experience in safe and quality education continuity in complex contexts of humanitarian aid efforts, and the transition from humanitarian programming to longer-term development programming, and vice versa.
• Experience in successfully establishing and managing collaborative relationships and partnerships with donors and government counterparts.
• Understands commitment to Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles including rights-based approaches to education.
• Credibility to advocate, influence, and represent Save the Children at all levels.
• Must be fluent in Arabic and English with excellent English writing and presentations skills.

Additional Job Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.