JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Scope

1. Context

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing.

Currently, RI is active in 15 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen.

Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France and Relief International-Europe Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure.

About our Country Program

Relief International has been implementing programming in Jordan since 2004, in the wake of the Iraqi refugee crisis and are currently actively engaged in the response to the Syria refugee crisis in Jordan, including provision of services to both refugees and the host community. Currently, Relief International’s portfolio in Jordan focuses on the education and livelihoods sectors the host community and the camps. Relief International also values coordination with other agencies and the government of Jordan and takes leadership roles within the response as relevant. Due to funding challenges, Relief International scaled down in Jordan starting in late 2023 but is now in the process of rebuilding the country program based on new anticipated funding commitments.

Middle East Region

RI operates in seven countries in the Middle East region:  Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), Syria, Turkey and Yemen, with a focus on the four RI sector pillars: Health, WASH, Education and Economic Opportunity.  We employ more than 4,000 staff (direct and indirect) in the Middle East region and implement a range of humanitarian and development programs valued at approximately $70 million USD on an annual basis.

1. Job Profile

The Project Manager – Education is responsible for leading the implementation of RI’s BPRM project (education and livelihood). The PM will lead the strategic planning and the quality implementation of RI’s BPRM project; and will be responsible for day-to-day relationship management with key internal and external stakeholders which are key for the successful delivery of the project. This position requires an individual who has extensive experience in education programming and working along with the Jordanian Ministry of Education, has experience in successfully leading a diverse team, is flexible and highly responsive, and excels at building and strengthening relations with external actors.

1. Key responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

• Overall responsibility over the management of the project
• Demonstrates the impact of RI projects and teams by ensuring quality services and program implementation
• Work closely with country SMT to ensure risk mitigation for effective program delivery.
• High level of coordination with Ministries’ representatives, key partners within the project, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the project in compliance with RI and Donor regulations.
• Recognizes and solves typical problems that can occur in their own work area, without supervisory approval; evaluates and provides solutions from established options.

Project Oversight and Reporting

• Lead and provide overall management to the implementation of all project components ensuring effective, timely, on budget and successful delivery of project milestones and results, ensuring an appropriate project management framework in line with RI guidelines. Review the short- and long-range plans for delivery of project’s activities and provide guidance to the RI staff to improve planning, management and delivery of various program components.
• Responsible for the financial, administrative and operational management of the project in line with RI policies, rules, standards and procedures, as well as donor requirements – in collaboration with relevant departments.
• Act as the budget holder for the project, ensuring that all expenditure is in line with project budget/forecast, and that transactions and documentation comply with RI policies, procedures and minimum standards. Carry out regular budget monitoring and forecasting to ensure spending within the agreed budget parameters.
• Ensure program quality in coordination with relevant technical teams in Jordan and with the support from RI Technical Team in the regional and global office.
• Lead the development of donor reports, and collaborates with relevant colleagues (i.e. program, MEAL, awards and partnership and all support functions) to ensure timely submission of high-quality reporting that complies with donor requirements.
• Develop an efficient internal communication strategy to ensure clear, effective communication with relevant colleagues (project staff, technical advisors and technical teams, MEAL, awards and partnership and support functions) involved in the quality, timely and compliant delivery of the project.
• In coordination with other members of the team, ensure proper visibility to the project – internally and externally.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• In collaboration with MEAL team, develop and support effective monitoring and evaluation system to ensure collected data during project implementation are correct, verified, analyzed and utilized for project adaptation.
• Follow routine data collection and reporting procedures; prepare and ensure submission of all required reports to external stakeholders as required, including but not limited to Clusters/Working Groups, MoE, MOPIC, etc.
• Carry out field assessment/ monitoring visits for evaluating the effectiveness of the activities, identifying problems and providing technical support to staff.
• Facilitate learning along with MEAL and Technical Team to review implementation and adapt programming accordingly.

Internal and External Coordination

• Represent RI at sector working groups, coordination meetings as well during other stakeholder meetings (if relevant), and maintain a positive, continuous and visible presence for RI.
• In coordination with other members of the team, ensure needed reports are shared with in-country clusters/working group clearly highlighting project’s achievements, challenges, etc.
• Ensure RI’s mandate is shared and explained to relevant stakeholders.
• Pro-actively liaise and build rapport with local officials, community representatives, UN agencies, and any other relevant stakeholders.
• Keep country SMT well-informed regarding developments and emerging issues related to the implementation of the project.
• Engage in program development initiatives related to Jordan.

People  Management

• Ensure staffing is available to support the program implementation.
• Responsible for day-to-day management of RI’s PRM program staff based on internal HR processes to ensure successful project’s implementation. 
• Provide mentorship /coaching to direct staff as well as other key program teams.
• Strengthen champion for stronger teamwork and collaboration among program and other relevant departments.

Behavior and conduct

• Ensures that behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies.
• Acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional.
• Reports any concerns.

Management and leadership

• Ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies.
• Be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members.
• Embrace diversity, and model inclusive and equitable behaviour.
• Ensure own actions and the actions of the teams’ members they manage do not adversely impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve.
• Ensure donors, partners and communities are aware of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded in all the work we do.
• Be responsible for ensuring a culture and systems in place for reporting.
• Report any concerns.

1. Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Master's level education in a relevant field or bachelor’s degree with commensurate work experience
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in project management
• Extensive proven experience working in Education Programs in Jordan with in-depth understanding of complexity and needed coordination with key actors
• Proven experience working in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Jordan, with understanding of approvals and engagement processes
• Experience working on USG funded projects (i.e. PRM, USAID) and other main donors operating in Jordan
• Excellent organizational, budget, project management, communication and writing skills.
• Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with colleagues in a multi-cultural setting.
• Experience conducting capacity building activities and enthusiasm to share knowledge and information with others.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage time efficiently.
• Excellent English oral and writing skills.

Desirable criteria

• Understanding/Experience on livelihood projects

1. RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability