Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) (www.theIRC.org) is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in the world, providing relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of oppression and violent conflict. IRC Tanzania’s current sectors include Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, Youth and Livelihoods, Health, Community-Based Rehabilitation, Education, and Health. The Education program is based in the Kigoma region of Tanzania and provides education services to camp-based Burundian and Congolese refugee populations.  

Background

The Education Coordinator will be responsible for leading the IRC education team in Tanzania, providing technical and operational support and ensuring timely and quality implementation of program activities and strategies in compliance with donor requirements. S/he will ensure that the objectives of the programs are met in a timely manner and are monitored and evaluated effectively, that education staff receives appropriate mentorship and professional development, and that a positive team spirit is fostered, encouraging innovative and quality programming. Additionally, the Education Coordinator will collaborate with other sectors to ensure that protection and wellbeing of children is consistently mainstreamed across IRC sectors. The Education Coordinator will also work in coordination with key education stakeholders and partners, representing the IRC Education program in Tanzania and strengthening partnerships. S/he will also be involved in designing and advancing IRC country education strategy with stakeholders at different levels, including advocacy at the policy level.

The Education Coordinator reports to the Deputy Director of Programs and in addition is supported by the IRC’s HQ-based Education Technical Unit. The position is initially based in the field (Kasulu) with up to 25 percent time in Dar es Salaam.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical and management support to IRC education programs in Tanzania.
• Supervise and provide technical support to the education team in order to implement IRC education programs to a high standard.
• Take responsibility for the overall achievement of grant activities, deliverables, and budget compliance within donor guidelines.
• Produce high-quality donor reports and other materials as required.
• Ensure the implementation of existing M&E systems, provide guidance where needed to improve the effectiveness of these systems and work to ensure output and impact data are captured and used to optimize program quality and identify efficiencies.
• Ensure that all internal and external reporting requirements are met, that reports are of a high quality and submitted on time.

Technical Quality

• Provide technical assistance including supportive supervision to IRC’s staff working on all education projects.
• Support the development and maintenance of a coherent education strategy across IRC’s areas of intervention in Tanzania in collaboration with the relevant sectors and departments under the IRC Tanzania country office.
• Ensure all implementation plans employ a programmatic approach that integrates the needs of other sectors.
• Stay abreast of developments in the IRC Education Technical Unit and global working groups related to new tools and guidelines.
• Liaise with Education Technical Advisors on a regular basis and proactively pursue technical guidance as needed.
• Lead and support integration and collaboration of Education programming across other IRC sectors, including Economic Recovery and Development, Child Protection, Women’s Protection and Empowerment and Protection.

Business Development

• Identify gaps in existing Education programming and work with the team to develop innovative approaches and mechanisms to address them.
• Lead Education sector-specific strategy development and review to address emerging priorities.
• Lead the design and development of new and potential funding opportunities for Education programming in line with IRC Tanzania's Country Strategy.

HR & Staff Capacity Building

• In collaboration with HR, support recruitment of program staff.
• Build and supervise an Education team with specific technical expertise in relevant areas and meet technical program needs. This includes creating detailed work planning (including spending plans and budgeting).
• Utilize the IRC’s Outcomes and Evidence Framework (OEF) and related theories of change in project design and promote understanding of OEF tools among education staff.
• Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis with all staff and as a part of the annual Performance Review and Planning Process.
• With team members, identify individual training needs and ensure access to training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
• Identify staff performance issues where applicable and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Overall responsibility for staff timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.
• As part of a succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of a national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Select, adapt, and refine core indicators in alignment with selected IRC Education outcomes.
• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of work planning, program budgets and spending plans to meet desired objectives.
• Contribute to the technical interpretation of M&E data and apply output and outcome indicator findings to improve program quality.
• Oversee the maintenance of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for Education programming in Tanzania, including quality control and reporting systems.

Coordination, Representation, and Advocacy

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations wherever possible.
• Maintain productive working relationship with Education coordination structures including Education Working Group.
• Ensure key field concerns are brought to relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in advocacy efforts towards improved education policies for refugees and Tanzanians alike.

All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years professional experience in management of education programs in emergencies. INGO experience required.
• Advanced degree in Education, social sciences, international development or other related fields.
• Strong program/technical and budget management acumen as well as planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties.  
• Proven technical writing skills.
• Proposal writing ability and experience.
• Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others.
• Be able to contribute to a team, be comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professionalism.
• Fluency in spoken and written English; ability to communicate in French preferred.
• Working environment: the position will base in 75 percent in Kasulu, Kigoma District, and 25 percent in Dar es Salaam. It is anticipated that the proportion of time spent in Dar es Salaam will increase. Accommodation in shared housing will be provided. The position is unaccompanied.