Save the Children Education Project Coordinator Job in Daadab, Kenya

Save the Children 

Job Title: Education Project Coordinator

Position Code: SCI EDU CORD

Contract Duration: 12 months

Team / Programme: Programme Development and Quality

Location: Daadab
 

Grade: 3 

Post Type: National (1 year with possibility of extension)
 

Child Safeguarding: Level 3 – the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people. This is the default level for now. Levels to be specify child safeguarding obligations of all roles.
 

 

Role Purpose: Save the Children in collaboration with Consortium Partners (NRC and AVSI Foundation) with funding from European Union, proposes to strengthen the delivery of effective, high quality and relevant education to the target population in Dadaab refugee camps. 

The immediate programmatic objective of the EU-SERD funding is to ensure; 

i) Improved access to Primary education for children and youth in Dadaab refugee camps and those returning to Somalia, 

ii) Primary education opportunities in Dadaab refugee camps are relevant and of high quality, 

iii) Children, youth, teachers, communities have improved prospects and skills for repatriation. In addition, the job holder will responsible.

Country Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. 

Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. 

In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. 

In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. 

Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. We employ nearly 300 staff and will have an operating annual budget in 2016 of approximately US$20 million.
 

Scope of Role:
 

Reports to: The job holder has a functional (solid) reporting line to the Area programme Manager and a technical (dotted) reporting line to the Technical Education Specialist.
 

Staff directly reporting to this post: Education officer
 

Key Areas of Accountability:
 

Programme Design and Technical Support

• Assist Programme officers in identifying technical support required from the Technical specialist in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities.


• Liaise with the Education Technical Specialist in Nairobi on technical issues to ensure adherence to Save the Children best practice approach for Education issues.

Quality Program Implementation, Management and Reporting

• Manage all aspects of the implementation of the EU-SERD education programme in Dadaab and ensure the quality of education programming and adherence to best practice standards for the sector.


• Ensure coherence of programme activities with Save the Children national programme approach for Kenya:


• Link programme activities to the organisation’s global strategy.


• Identify and build links with other programme sectors, ensuring that issues for education are raised and addressed.


• Develop a comprehensive implementation strategy with clear benchmark indicators and work plans.


• Work with staff to ensure effective evaluation and documentation of programme activities.


• Produce timely reports, including monthly internal progress reports, and all required reports to the donor agencies.


• Ensure key problems are brought to the attention of the Area Programme Manager for discussion and review. 


• Participate in mid-term or final evaluations and ensure lessons contribute to the development of future Education programme work.


• Participate in and strengthen interagency coordination on Education, leading and guiding the agenda and ensuring that the critical Education needs of children are profiled.

Planning and Budgeting

• Ensure that the financial policies, procedures and practices are adhered to in the Management of EU-SERD program in Dadaab.


• In consultation with the finance teams ensure that any over or underspends in the grants is highlighted early enough and way forward charted.


• Support  quarterly and annual review are conducted and the lessons learnt are incorporated into the programs

Assessment, Monitoring & Evaluation

• Monitor and support Education staff in implementing Save the Children project management systems and guidelines to ensure the smooth implementation of approved activities.


• With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.


• Make regular visits to the partners offices in the field and project activities in the refugee camps for save the Children and partners in equal measure


• Ensure programme activities in the operational area are well monitored to assess their ability to fulfil the requirements of approved Save the Children Thematic and Annual Operational Plans.


• Ensure that he takes the lead in award review and Management process for the grant


• In liaison with partnership focal point ensure that National Partnerships Management is enhanced and coordinated

Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning:

• Identify, analyse and engage in advocacy opportunities to influence key donors’ plans and policies to promote attention to and sufficient resources for raising awareness on the Humanitarian Codes of Conduct to prevent the sexual exploitation of women and children.


• Support response teams in setting up meaningful referral systems between all sectors and different agencies working in the area are in place.


• Represent Save the Children with external stakeholders as requested (working groups, donors) and influences the shape of broader sector strategies through inter-agency coordination forums.


• Take steps to document lessons learned, from the Education program including that of partners for wider dissemination.

Staff Safety and Security

• In close collaboration with the Safety and Security Manager and the Dadaab focal point, proactively monitor the political, military and security situation at local level and regularly report on its potential impact on SC’s activities.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development:
 

Manage performance of direct reports in the work area through;

• Provide orientation/training to Education officers/staff, both to those who are new in post and to all new officers.


• Ensure there is effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations in the EUSERD program.


• Ensure that there is continuous coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities for education staff.


• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans.


• Build the capacity of staff to monitor/ manage grants and awards as well as understand and implement compliance requirements from donors, Save the Children and/or the Government of Kenya.


• Maintain clear communication with both the functional (direct) line manager and the technical manager to foster a smooth working relation under existing matrix structure

Child Safeguarding:

• Ensure that all the staff under your supervision have an obligation to ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and related policies. They must conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.


• All staff must ensure the way they are carrying out their work is not putting children at risk (or further risk).

Skills and Behaviours (our 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 others to do the same


• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others


• Future orientated, thinks strategically

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

Qualifications and Experience
 

Essential:

• Degree in education or social studies. Advanced degree preferred


• At least five years’ work experience in development projects in post-emergency settings


• Team management experience and experience working with diverse stakeholders, and ability to understand and bridge diverging communication styles and agendas in order to reach common goals


• Experience with budget management


• Self-starter; able to act on initiative and work well as part of a team, builds strong collaboration with partners and other project staff


• Comfort interfacing with diverse stakeholders including Ministry of Education, District level officials and project beneficiaries


• Political and cultural sensitivity, awareness of gender issues, with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy. Motivates others while identifying with mission of Save the Children

Desirable:

• Experience in  managing consortium partners


• Knowledge and experience with monitoring and evaluation activities


• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.


• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind sets


• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.


• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required.


• Commitment to Save the Children values and willingness to abide by Child Safeguarding Policy.

How to Apply
 

The system allows CVs & Cover letter as One(1) document.  

The Deadline is on 17th February 2016 COB.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.