Education Specialist at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Context

The Norwegian Refugee Council has been working in north-eastern Nigeria since June 2015, implementing Livelihoods and Food Security, Shelter, WASH, Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Camp Management and Education activities to benefit internally displaced, returnee and host communities. NRC’s Education Core Competency is currently implementing projects focused on support to formal education and non-formal literacy, numeracy and vocational classes including teacher training, construction of temporary learning spaces, community mobilization and training for school-based management councils with funding from ECHO, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Education Cannot Wait and UNICEF.

Role and responsibilities

The Education Specialist will provide technical oversight and strategic direction to Country and Area offices to further the development of the Education Core Competency (CC). The Specialist will provide quality assurance for all projects, develop a collaborative country strategy, capacity build staff through mentoring and training to increase the technical capacity of the staff, and develop a donor strategy to further grow the program.

• Develop Education CC strategy, technical guidance and Macro LFAs
• Responsible for leading technical innovative programme development (including approaches such as Accelerated Education) and quality of CC in country (including through the use of Quality Assessment Tools)  to ensure relevance of NRC education programmes in country
• Support and promote holistic programming (with other CCs) ensuring harmonisation and consistency across CC projects in line with NRC Global Education Strategy and Programme Policy
• Provide technical lead and support on the integration of the Better Learning Programme across the education response
• Lead the process on proposals, budgets, modifications, project reviews and reporting and ensure high technical quality
• Contribute to fundraising, develop and revise funding proposal, budgets and donor reports
• Identify trends technical standards and donor priorities
• Follow up on compliance with contractual commitments within CC, ensure high technical quality and synergies in project implementation
• Provide technical direction and project implementation support to the implementation team
• Ensure that key learnings are extracted from CC implementation, and incorporate them in CC and staff development processes
• Provide systematic training and build capacity of Education staff
• Represent NRC in relevant forums/clusters, including with national authorities and donors
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy

In addition, to be considered for this role, you will have the following:

• Minimum 4 years of Education experience within a humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts
• Education expertise (as Specialist/TA or Project Manager)
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the Lake Chad Basin region and north-eastern Nigeria context specifically
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes
• Experience in team capacity building
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook
• Experience with youth/adolescent programming, particularly vocational training is desired
• Experience with alternative education in a humanitarian context an asset
• Understanding of INEE Minimum Standards is required
• Candidates with an advanced degree preferred; significant experience in the field of Education, PSS or Child Protection considered in lieu

Behavioural competencies:

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
• Initiate action and change
• Analysing

Please find more information about the position here.

What we offer

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

• 12 months contract-possible renewal

• Grade 9 on NRC salary scale

• Location: Maiduguri

• An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause

• A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields