JOB DESCRIPTION

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 Education Advisor is a technical expert and strategic partner, ensuring the effective design and delivery of RI's education programs for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Your role will be to provide expert guidance and support to the program team on all aspects of education programming, from curriculum development and teacher training to monitoring. You will be the primary technical liaison with the Jordanian Ministry of Education, building strong relationships and advocating for RI's educational approaches                                        

1. Key responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

• Analyze complex educational challenges in the context of the Syrian crisis, applying your expertise to develop tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of refugee learners.
• Adapt established educational practices to the dynamic and often unpredictable context of refugee education, addressing unforeseen obstacles and ensuring program continuity.
• Draw on existing best practices in refugee education while also seeking innovative approaches to improve learning outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Build strong partnerships with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, influencing policy and practice to create a more supportive environment for refugee education

Project Oversight and Reporting

• Provide overall technical supervision on the implementation of all education project components, supporting the PM and technical staff to ensure the highest technical standards are followed.
• Provide advice and support to the education field team on the implementation of educational projects.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure the highest quality of technical standards are followed and implemented.
• 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 in the development and/or review of technical documents/guidance for use by the program team and/or MoE. Ensure needed agreements are reached with the MoE prior utilizing tools/etc.
• Conduct training needs assessments and implement capacity-building opportunities to RI staff as well as MoE staff whenever needed for the successful implementation of the project
• Contribute to the development of donor reports, and collaborate with relevant colleagues to ensure timely submission of high-quality reporting that complies with donor requirements.
• Contribute to an effective 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.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• In collaboration with PM and 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. Assist the MEAL team in reviewing and updating the education MEAL tools and materials.
• Follow routine data collection and reporting procedures; contribute to the preparation of required reports to external stakeholders as required, including but not limited to Clusters/Working Groups, MoE, MOPIC, etc.
• Carry out field assessment/ monitoring visits to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities, identifying problems and providing technical support to staff.
• Facilitate learning along with PM, MEAL and Technical Team to review the implementation and adapt programming accordingly.
• Facilitate needed assessments, technical evaluations, etc. as needed as part of the project design and/or for improvement/new opportunities.

Internal and External Coordination

• Closely coordinate with the Project Manager and other program team members for a successful implementation of the education project,
• In coordination with other members of the team and/or as requested by the line manager:
  • Represent RI in the Education sector working group, coordination meetings as well as other stakeholder meetings (if relevant), and maintain a positive, continuous and visible presence for RI.
  • Coordinate from a technical perspective with MOE staff and/or technical committee
  • Maintain a high level of coordination with Ministries' representatives, key partners within the project, and internal stakeholders to ensure the successful technical implementation of the project in compliance with sector standards, RI, and Donor regulations
  • 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.
  • liaise and build rapport with local officials, community representatives, UN agencies, and any other relevant stakeholders.
• Engage in program development initiatives related to Jordan.

People Management

• Ensure needed staffing is available to support the technical implementation of the program.
• Contribute to the technical supervision of staff involved in the technical implementation of the project in coordination with their line manager
• Provide mentorship /coaching to staff involved in the technical implementation of the project.

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.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or Bachelor’s degree with commensurate work experience
• Professional experience in educational field and curriculum development
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills required
• Arabic and strong English verbal and writing skills required
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, tasks efficiently
• Previous experience working with NGOs preferred
• Proven experience working in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Jordan, with an understanding of approvals and engagement processes
• Previous experience in the Jordanian Education sector  
• Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills. Ability to think critically and creatively
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues. Must be capable of working both individually and as part of a team.

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