Education Coordinator

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC is working to improve the safety, health, education, economic well-being, and power of people in crisis-affected places. The IRC’s educational interventions strive to help children and youth gain valuable skills and knowledge that will increase their opportunities and life chances and contribute to their well-being and livelihood. The IRC supports formal and non-formal learning activities that lead to tangible learning outcomes in literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional learning, and marketable skills and promotes the protection and psychosocial well-being of conflict-affected children and youth.

Building on prior secondary and primary data collection, the Education Coordinator will lead further education assessment, strategy, partner identification, and training and programming start-up in Poland. In response to client and partner-identified needs, the Education Coordinator will work collaboratively with local partners, including municipalities, governments, and NGOs; steer IRC’s direct programming to complement this partner-first approach, and develop strategic directions for the country program for education programming. They will serve as the key liaison with local and international implementing partners, education coordination groups, municipalities, governmental partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders. Close collaboration with other sectors to provide responsive programming, including protection and economic recovery and development, is expected.

This position will be based in Warsaw, with occasional travel to the field locations as necessary. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs of the program.

Main responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) and with technical support from Education Technical Advisors, the Education Coordinator will:

• Collaboratively with partners and based on client priorities, identify gaps and priorities for IRC education support, both stand-alone and integrated while building on existing information, assessments, and partnerships building on the desk review.
• Actively develop effective working relationships with key collaborators including partners, donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors, and participate in country Education Cluster and working groups. Document key conversations, contact points, and takeaways. Provide overview and exchange of IRC global and adaptation processes.
• Develop a context-appropriate, outcome-focused IRC education strategy that includes guidance on quality and monitoring, and update as needs evolve, ensuring alignment with local and national policies, and coordination with other sectors as appropriate.
• Ensure regular communication with Technical Coordinators within IRC Poland, and headquarters-based Technical Advisors to integrate appropriate technical unit priorities in program design and implementation
• Proactively continue to grow the Poland education portfolio through development of concept notes and proposals to existing and new donors, maintaining a coherent strategy across IRC’s areas of intervention in Poland.
• Promote joint work across other sectors to enhance the quality of programming and a holistic approach
• In collaboration with program, finance, HR and Supply Chain departments, ensure smooth management, implementation, integration and compliance of project workplans and budgets (budget forecasting, spending plans, procurement plans and expenditure), with best use of resources across activities and delivering on time, to scope and within budget.
• Ensure projects and activities are of high technical quality, meet humanitarian standards, mainstream protection, align with IRC’s Strategy, and respond to community and monitoring feedback
• Plan, organize, recruit, supervise and develop the team and individuals needed to achieve program goals and maximize ownership and leadership.
• Ensure that all internal and external reporting requirements are met, at reports are of a high quality and are submitted on time
• Proactively identify, assess, monitor, and implement measures to reduce or control risks that may impact program delivery, quality or compliance
• Identify, monitor, and report unmet needs. Explore the potential of the IRC to address those needs within the parameters of the Strategic Action Plan and sector priorities.
• Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging, knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.
• Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs
• Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies as a requirement of the IRC
• Integrating complementary education activities into existing Safe Healing and Learning Spaces to ensure children’s learning is supported.
• Proactively identify business development opportunities, and develop concept notes and proposal materials to support the expansion of education opportunities

Job Requirements

Education: Minimum university degree in a related field. Advanced degree in relevant field preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in education programming in relevant and crisis-affected contexts and new office start-up desirable.
• Must have proven experience to function effectively in a complex work environment, setting appropriate priorities and managing competing priorities and pressure in similar contexts.
• Experience in implementation and/or startup programming focused on supporting local or national governments to integrate displaced children into local schools/ early learning centers/ working with young children, /teachers/primary/youth/caregivers, and education authorities and partners.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing and maintaining unbiased and professional working relationships with government officials, civil society partners, and other counterparts and clients.
• Knowledge of all regulatory, contractual, legal, and financial compliance requirements associated with international donor funding.
• Partnerships/capacity strengthening experience is highly encouraged.
• Fluency in English is required; fluency in Polish is an important added value.
• Have either lived or worked in Ukraine, Poland, or other neighboring countries, a plus.
• Willingness to travel to different cities within Poland and Europe.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated dedication to an anti-racist and Do No Harm approach, gender equality and inclusion.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality 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.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.