Technical Advisor - Resilient and Inclusive Education at VSO

Role Overview

• The purpose of this is role is to provide high quality technical inputs in designing, delivering and monitoring of resilient and inclusive education programmes in Nigeria and Sierra Leonne and work with VSO colleagues to pre-position VSO for any funding opportunities in these countries.

Safeguarding level: 3

• VSO has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We will expect all our employees/ volunteers to commit to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy.  

Level 3:

• This post will have regular, direct and unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults either face to face or online or the post will have supervisory responsibility for peoplewho have direct unsupervised access to children or post will have accountability at organisational level to ensure safeguarding policy is in place and implemented at all levels.  
• A criminal background check (Enhance DBS check for UK or equivalent highest level of Police check) will be obtained for postholder at this level prior to their start date.

Task Responsibilities
Programme development, delivery, and management: 

• Rigorous context analysis to ensure education interventions adopt conflict sensitive approaches that include the Do No Harm principle.
• Lead the technical design, development, and delivery of the education programme, ensuring alignment with VSO’s People First strategy, the volunteering for development approach and the global education practice area strategy.
• Integration of the core approaches and health and livelihood initiatives into education interventions to respond to the drivers of fragility and the complex needs of primary actors.
• Identify innovative approaches for delivering high impact education interventions in a fragile context.

Partnership, Networking and Engagement:

• Identify and engage with partners and key stakeholders to build partnership, linkages, and joint initiatives to deliver the education programmein Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
• Proactively engage in relevant regional, national, and sub-national networks and explore viable options to raise the profile and influence of VSO and make a positive contribution to the education sector.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with donors and implementing partners.
• Proactively engage with VSO’s global Community of Practice to share learning and best practice. 

Technical Support and Capacity Building: 

• Provide technical and programmatic leadership to staff, volunteers and partners to support the delivery of high-quality education interventions.
• Apply People First principles ensure staff, volunteers and partners are engaged in development, planning, implementation, review and learning processes.
• Provide technical support for funding proposals, concept notes, etc
• Business Pursuit and Programme Funding: 
• Work closely with the Business Pursuit team and Head of Implementationto identify and pursue funding opportunities to grow the education programme in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. 
• Actively engage with donors and funding partners to position the education programme for wider funding opportunities. 
• Support the development of capability statements and other materials to support business pursuit and marketing.

Grant Management: 

• Provide oversight in managing grants in close collaboration with the VSO Finance Manager.
• Develop realistic programme plans and budgets, ensuring compliance with VSO and donor requirements.
• Ensure effective grants management and expenditure within agreed budgets. Identify any areas of variance in a timely manner and put into place measures to address budget variance.
• People Management:
• Line management of education programme staff, including regular performance management as per VSO policy.
• Ensure that the education programme identifies, recruits and deploys high quality volunteers to deliver interventions in a fragile context.
• Ensure duty of care for staff and volunteers.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: 
• Collaborate with the Knowledge, Evidence and Learning (KEL) team to generate evidence and learning about the impact of education interventions in a fragile context.
• Integration of the MILE approach to education interventions.
• Document and disseminate learning both internally within VSO and with external partners and stakeholders.
• Lead the preparation of high quarterly and annual reports.

Others:

• Fulfil other appropriate level responsibilities as defined by the line manager from time to time.
• Abide by VSO core values and other VSO policies regarding; Safeguarding, Gender Sensitivity, Child Protection, Data Protection Act, Anti-Bribery, Confidentiality and Security.    

Collaboration Responsibilities (key teams / roles this role will be working with):
Collaboration with:

• Resilience and Inclusive Education Practice Area
• Resourcing and Finance  Team
• Global Implementation Team 
• Project Implementation Team
• Communication Team
• Global Programme Team 
• Knowledge, Evaluation and Learning Team
• Business Pursuit Team

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Master's Degree in International Development, or a related field required. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted.
• At least 7 years’ field experience (in Africa and Asia) in Education. 
• Proven experience working with teachers in delivering inclusive Pedagogy and supporting children to access quality and inclusive education. Experiences in CPD, developing inclusive teacher resources, work in fragile contexts/EiE is an added value.   
• Proven strong technical design and writing skills 
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of volunteerism in development. 
• Knowledge and understanding of social inclusion, accountability, and resilience along with technical expertise in Education
• Excellent personal relationship and communication skills with substantial experience in networking and influencing a diverse range of stakeholderds.
• Fluency in written and spoken English (additional language abilities welcome). 
• Technology: Excellent practical knowledge of Microsoft 365.  
• Commitment to VSO’s vision and values, including safeguarding and taking a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and harm. 
• Knowledge and experience of working in the education sector of Sierra Leone and Nigeria is desirable.
• Knowledge of Education Technology  and blended teacher professional development is  desirable. 
• Able to travel across country and out of country to project sites and spend time away from base location.
• Commitment to VSO’s vision and values, including safeguarding and taking a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and harm.  

Competencies and Behaviour:
At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together. Whether you want to join us as an employee, or as a volunteer working in your own country, overseas or online, our selection process includes an assessment based on these core competencies:

• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to facilitate positive change and build sustainable working relationships
• Ability to seek and share knowledge.

Salary 
Competitive