Education Advisor, Syria and Jordan Response Programmes

The Objective of the Role

The Education Advisor is responsible for providing technical guidance to support the implementation of education activities across projects, supports the development of concept notes and proposals, plays a key role in monitoring the quality of projects, and works collaboratively with the regional and global advisors to ensure projects align with WCH thematic strategies and organisational ambitions. The Education Advisor is a key organisational focal point in interagency working groups, clusters and relationships with relevant Ministry of Education representatives. In addition, the Education Advisor supports colleagues and partner organisations in developing their knowledge, understanding and best practices related to education, and effective teaching and learning methodologies, key to quality education programming.

This position is stationed in the Syria/Jordan Response office in Amman, Jordan with regular trips in the region to visit the project sites and attend relevant meetings/conferences (roughly 30% of the time).

Position within the Organisation

The Education Advisor reports to the Head of Program Quality and Development (HoPQD) and coordinates with the program implementation department, and with other key functions within the country office. Strong collaboration and communication are expected with the MHPSS Advisor, the Child Protection and Safeguarding Advisor, the MEAL team and the Grants/Program Development team. The Education Advisor is supported by the Middle East Regional Education Advisor in all technical areas as well as the Global Education Advisor and works with them and others in the Global Programme Quality team to share best practices, promote internal professional development in teams and identify areas for strengthening Education programming at a country-level, regionally, and globally where applicable.

Depending on the size and complexity of the Education programme, the post-holder will directly manage Education Coordinator(s) and be responsible for their development and supervision of education activities, with the opportunity to build out the team as needed.

Result Areas

Result Area 1: Improved education outcomes for children and youth through effective technical oversight, programme development and project monitoring

Work collaboratively with education staff (and education staff of implementing partners), including education programme managers/co-ordinators, field staff, teachers and facilitators, education centre administration, teacher mentors and coaches to identify opportunities for strengthening education projects and inform evidence-based programming.
Lead in designing and developing education programmes and/or activities within WCH education strategy, including contributing to relevant fund-raising and proposal-writing activities, including identifying funding opportunities, building donor relations and having a developed understanding of donor presence and mapping in areas WCH implements and seeks to work in the future.
Follow up on the quality of implementation of educational activities and monitoring and evaluation tools to identify emerging needs, opportunities/constraints and any adjustments needed, including staff training, as well as share best programming practices and lessons learnt throughout the project cycle.
Provide ongoing and necessary technical support, guidance and advice to program staff and partners in the field of education and teaching and learning methodologies.
In close collaboration with MEAL teams, ensure the education programme tools effectively capture and evidence outputs in project plans.
Lead design, drafting and development of the country's education strategy and effectively input and feedback on the country office Annual Plans, scaling plans and relevant strategies.
Revision and validation of data analysis provided by the coordinator, formulation of recommendation, support to problem resolution.
Analyse projects’ achievement/challenges to understand the stakeholder needs and capacity, identifying gaps. Produce project papers
Ensure sector standards and policies are implemented at minimum standards and lead to better education outcomes for children and their families.

Result Area 2: Improved quality of educational programming through design, development and delivery of relevant and meaningful capacity building to staff and partners

Design education capacity-building plans including tailored participatory and practical training where needed and feasible, to staff and partners.
Deliver education and education-context briefings when needed to external visitors, new staff, and partner staff.
Identify opportunities to strengthen education policies and EiE standards through evidence-based recommendations and emerging best practices in the education sector.
Conduct internal assessments for every project and location implemented through partners or directly by WCH, to understand the stakeholder needs and capacity, identifying gaps for Education Advisor support.
Support the development of ToRs for technical studies and follow up with consultants

Result Area 3: Improved internal and external engagement with staff, focal points, priority donors and key stakeholders, prioritising education and inclusion of best and emerging practices in the sector

Coordinate, communicate and collaborate with other team members internally at country-level, regional and global MHPSS and CP teams), to ensure that education is integrated and logically connects to WCH priority areas.
Serve as focal point for youth programming and and operationalisation of Youth empowerment strategy (in collaboration with global youth empowerment advisor)
Critically reflect and evaluate the quality of educational programming and projects, sharing best practices and lessons learnt internally and externally as a foundation for improved future programming.
Support implementation of WCH Global and country office education strategy - internally and externally - with local implementing partners and their staff, as well as providing continuous support to local partners and support the organisation's localisation strategy through contextualisation and based inputs and recommendations.
Foster existing, and actively develop new relationships and networks to represent WCH externally, in relevant platforms/clusters/networks focused on education themes.
Support work around advocacy and communications to highlight War Child Holland’s Vision and Mission and to raise external awareness for education programming.
Contribute to the development/revision of educational materials developed in working groups/platforms/networks/WCH global education working groups.
Conduct researches focus on Education (I.e. need assessment, context analysis)
Share education resources and other useful and relevant information, including tools and methodologies, with staff and partners.
Work collaboratively with R&D to support scaling plans, research agenda and adaptation/piloting of Evidence Based Methodologies

Knowledge and Experience

Relevant academic background (Education/Social Sciences/International Development Studies) and ideally, previous experience as a classroom teacher.
Knowledge of current principles and practices of Child Protection, Child Safeguarding, and Children’s Right to Education.
Minimum 5 years experience in EiE (conflict and post-conflict) with INGOs in an equivalent position (Education Advisor, Education Manager)
Knowledge and experience of effective classroom teaching and learning methodologies, inclusive education, curriculum, differentiation, child-centred learning, assessment and education policy development.
Proven experience in education project design, logical framework development, management and coordination, ideally in the Middle East.
Specialist knowledge of current principles and practices of formal and non-formal education with children in conflict areas, particularly in Syria and neighbouring countries.
Strong track record in working with local and national partner organisations.
Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Skills and Competencies

Ability to express oneself skilfully in written and oral English and Arabic.
Strong critical analysis and strategic thinking skills.
Planning and coordination ability.
Technical education knowledge and skills.
Monitoring and Evaluation ability.
Ability to design and deliver learner-centred participatory trainings.
Excellent communication skills; ability to give and receive feedback.
Affinity with children and young people.
Cultural sensitivity.
Result-oriented.

We Offer

A dynamic and challenging work environment, with opportunities to grow and enhance your skills.
A fair salary and comprehensive secondary benefits including opportunities to develop professionally.
Working as part of a multinational team who is hands on to make change happen!

Contract

The duration of the contract is 12 months with the intention to extend depending on performance and fund availability.

Job Location

Amman, Jordan. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Jordan. 30% traveling to middle east including North East of Syria.