Education Program Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

 Job Overview/Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with Plan International, the American University in Nigeria (AUN), Inclusive Development Partners (IDP), and Restoration of Hope Initiative (ROHI) is implementing a five-year USAID-funded education program called ‘Opportunities to Learn (OtL) in Borno Adamawa and Yobe States between October 2021 and October 2026. The Program intends to ensure more than 193,854 OOSC and youths in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States are safely able to gain foundational literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills to progress to higher levels of education, training, and or engagement in the workforce.

The Education Program Manager, based in Yola, will be responsible for the overall management of OTL Activities in Adamawa State. S/he will ensure that project activities are delivered per the Project's Detailed Implementation Plan, contribute to the strategic objectives of the program, and meet global and IRC technical standards for education in emergencies. The Education Program Manager will supervise a team of officers, providing supervision and guidance in line with agreed performance objectives. This position reports to the Program Lead.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program design, delivery, and management

• Manage and supervise daily operations of Opportunities to Learn (OTL) Activity in Adamawa State, ensuring strict compliance with the annual work plan and monitoring progress against detailed Implementation Plans.
• Provide comprehensive coordination of OTL activities, offering technical support to officers for timely and high-quality setup, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptation.
• Direct the implementation of OTL Activity in Adamawa with support from the Program Lead, ensuring evidence-based programs aligned with IRC strategies, international education standards, and national policies.
• Ensure effective delivery of program activities while promoting inclusivity, diversity, transparency, accountability, and integrity.
• Collaborate with OTL Intermediate Result (IR) Leads and Specialists to ensure smooth and timely implementation of OTL Activity aligned with program objectives and donor requirements.
• Identify, communicate, and manage updates and risks for timely interventions and corrective actions, ensuring program success.
• Engage regularly with beneficiaries and community representatives for feedback, Supervise the training, coaching, and ongoing support of educators/learning facilitators to enhance instructional practices in literacy, numeracy, social-emotional skills, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL).
• Stay informed about education trends, integrate innovative approaches, and collaborate with external experts and institutions.
• Focus on expanding education access for over-age, out-of-school children through the setup and management of ABEP learning opportunities.
• Prepare and submit timely compelling reports (weekly, monthly, and quarterly) on project activities to the Program Lead as per the agreed schedule., providing accurate information on program achievements, challenges, and Mitigation Measures
• Collaborate with the OTL MEAL team to establish and execute robust data collection systems ensuring that OTL activities are data-driven and that programmatic decisions are evidence-based. This involves assessing program effectiveness, identifying areas for enhancement, and implementing required changes.
• Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to ensure proper filing/documentation processes in line with agreed project targets and standards for effective internal and external communications, accountability, audits, evaluation purposes, and reporting.
• Monitor project progress, objectives, and outputs using routine data, spot checks, observation, and other methodologies.

Capacity building and technical support

• Enhance the Education Officers’ capacity through ongoing coaching and support.
• Maintain regular communication with the Program Lead and seek technical guidance as needed.
• Work with OTL people and culture team to conduct assessments of staff training needs and tailor capacity-building activities accordingly.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions, design, and implement initiatives to enhance staff skills in education program implementation.

Representation and coordination.

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders, coordinating USAID Special Objective (SPO) Activities in Adamawa State and providing regular reports on SPO activities.
• Collaborate with other USAID Implementing Partners in Adamawa for a multi-sectoral implementation approach of OTL Activity in the state.
• Actively participate in and represent OTL at education-related coordination meetings, disseminating information and fostering effective relationships with IRC staff, partners, community structures, donors, and government institutions.

Sustainability.

• Establish and nurture robust partnerships with local communities, schools, and government authorities to fortify the long-term viability of OTL Activity.
• Contribute to the formulation and execution of advocacy strategies aimed at fostering the adoption and enduring success of the Accelerated Basic Education Curriculum in Adamawa State.
• Assist in the creation and execution of plans to ensure the transition of 65% (20% in year 3, 20% in year 4, and 25% in year 5) of OTL ABEP Learning Centers to the Adamawa State Government.
• Convene regular meetings with government officials, community leaders, and other pertinent stakeholders to cultivate resilient collaborations.
• Collaborate with the Program Lead to engage with local educational institutions in Adamawa State, facilitating the integration of ABE programs into the existing education system.

Qualifications

• University degree in education; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience with an international or civil society organization, including direct implementation of education programming.
• At least one year of experience in a managerial position with demonstrated capacity in team leadership and capacity building.
• Demonstrated experience in managing the Accelerated Basic Education Program (ABEP) is a must.
• Strong verbal communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors.
• Lead integrated state technical working groups and steering coordination meetings.
• Excellent spoken and technical writing ability in English, including report writing.
• Excellent computer skills in programs including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work under pressure in challenging working and living conditions.
• Strong knowledge of ABEP implementation guidelines, Teaching at the Right Level methodology, Universal Design for Learning, and Social Emotional Learning (Dabaru skills are a must).
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in coordinating and training on Teacher Professional Development opportunities for teachers in person and online.
• Experience in managing and mentoring staff, exemplifying good leadership and supervisory skills, team building, and ensuring clear roles and responsibilities within the team.
• Experience contextualizing and adapting program models and tools to the context.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies and evidence-based practices to support the learning and well-being OTL ABEP Learners.
• Experience in effectively dealing with government officials, community structures, and other NGOs; ability to work with a broad spectrum of people, including partners, education sector leaders, and government staff.
• Analytical skills, including the ability to analyze program data, make data-driven decisions, and communicate technical matters effectively.
• Willingness to travel to different field sites for project monitoring and other related activities.
• Demonstrated dedication to a Do No Harm approach, gender equality, and inclusion.