Early Childhood Development Coordinator for Whole of Syria

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC has been implementing the innovative Early Childhood Development (ECD) program, Ahlan Simsim, in Syria and the surrounding region over the past 5 years. The main grant supporting these activities is ending in December, and this role will oversee the close-out of the existing project in addition to leading new business development for the continuation and scaling of our ECD portfolio inside Northwest and Northeast Syria. This role will evolve and grow based on this new business development, and this role will play a crucial role in crafting and setting up the newest iteration of IRC’s Early Childhood Development portfolio and team in Syria.

In terms of the strategy for new business development, the IRC aims to build upon the existing successes of the previous Ahlan Simsim project, to take what we know works and scale it throughout Northeast and Northwest Syria through a combination of partner-led implementation, integration of ECD key-messages into health and protection programming, and scaling ECD through partnerships with local actors. Quality support of this kind for young children and their caregivers can provide significant returns, including higher wages earned as an adult, greater educational attainment, improved cognitive abilities, reduced violence, and fewer depressive symptoms. Research shows that a child’s early years are critical in determining life outcomes, and the IRC aims to shift the life trajectory of tens of thousands of children by improving their developmental outcomes through integrated, new programming.

Responsibilities:

New business development and strategy:

- Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical and management oversight to the ECD portfolio in Syria in line with the Strategy Action Plan outcomes for education, and Country Program Strategy Action Plan. - Proactively grow the Syria Early Childhood Development portfolio through development of concept notes and proposals for country-led ECD projects, for existing and new donors, while maintaining a coherent strategy across IRC’s areas of intervention. - Engage with the regional Ahlan Simsim team, and support in their efforts to acquire funding for and to design and start-up any future phases of Ahlan Simsim. - Develop a fundraising strategy for ECD Syria, then use this strategy to proactively scope out and meet with potential new donors while also building relationships with fundraising and pre-award teams in HQ and the region.

Project set-up and implementation, and change management:

- Support close-out of Syria’s implementation of existing Ahlan Simsim project, which is a 5 year regional project that is ending in December. This will require strong change management expertise and a diplomatic attitude. - Ensure the technical quality of all ECD activities in the Syria country program (both those directly implemented by ECD, and those that are integrated into other sectors) by conducting trainings, analysis and checks, developing guidance, and any other efforts that can ensure the quality of programs. - Anticipate, plan, and manage programmatic and structural transitions. - Support and ensure donor compliance of new and existing programs, including appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals, grant reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources. - Ensure the submission of timely, accurate and well written donor reports and other reporting requirements. - Work closely and coordinate with IRC other technical unit, logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings and participation in bids opening and review.

Partnerships and scaling

- Work in close collaboration with the Partnership unit to develop a comprehensive and collaborative approach to scaling up ECD through partners and local authorities (both through direct support for implementation of IRC-funded programs, and through supporting partners and local authorities to integrate ECD into their existing non-IRC-funded work). - Build collaborative relationships with local implementing partners to facilitate effective dissemination of ECD materials and activities, including guiding project planning, MEAL, and reporting. - Collaborate with Syrian partners on the identification of business development opportunities, and the design of new interventions, even in cases where IRC is not directly involved in the funding opportunity.

Integration and mainstreaming of ECD across sectors

- Support the identification of opportunities for integrated programming between ECD initiatives in support of service delivery and/or thought leadership in collaboration with country program senior management, business development staff and country program staff in other sectors. - Support country program teams in other sectors to integrate ECD into their other programs and activities, including in grants where ECD does not have a stand-alone budget allocation.

Representation and engagement

- Represent the Whole of Syria ECD sector in high-level discussions with donors and at events. - As needed and in coordination country program management, represents IRC in inter-agency forums and discussions. - Regularly coordinate with internal program and operational stakeholders, the regional Ahlan Simsim team, the Education Technical Advisors in HQ, Airbel (Research and Development), and other IRC colleagues. - Participate in relevant working groups both within and outside of the UN cluster system.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

- Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies. - Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria. - Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. - Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews. - Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis. - Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths. - As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies. - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. - Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff. - Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

Qualifications

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

- At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in similar programming in an emergency or complex emergency context, and demonstratable understanding of the relevance of early childhood development and/or education in humanitarian action. - At least 2 years of experience supporting partnerships-led approaches in an emergency setting. - Previous experience working for an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. - Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development - Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution. - Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. - Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. - Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. - Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must. - Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

- English and Arabic are required. - Travel: 30-40% to field sites in Turkiye and Syria as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

- Position Reports to: Program Implementation and Quality Director - Position directly supervises: ECD staff in Amman, Turkiye, and Syria – exact number of direct reports will change over time based on available funding - Indirect Reporting (If applicable): N/a - Key Internal Contacts: Regional Technical Lead ECD (Ahlan Simsim), Regional Research Lead (Ahlan Simsim), Regional Scaling and Partnerships Lead, Regional ECD Technical Advisor, other IRC programs and support departments - Key External Contacts: Partner NGOs, relevant local authorities, and relevant donors.

The Deadline to receive application is 6-Sep-2023

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.