Education Manager

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The Ukraine crises could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. More than 5.3 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million people are reported to be displaced. Reports indicate almost all arrivals in Poland are women and children, including those that are unaccompanied and separated, as well as older persons.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to an emergency response, and have identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is the most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC is established operations across Ukraine and Poland offering robust humanitarian response to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

This position will be based in Warsaw.

JOB SUMMARY

IRC seeks a dynamic program manager to fill the role of Education Manager. The Education Manager will focus on program management, especially capacity sharing, support, and training for team members, partners, and clients, for the IRC education portfolio in Poland.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Education Coordinator and in close collaboration for colleagues from other sectors, the Education Manager will be responsible for:

Partner Support and Capacity Sharing

- Work closely with the Education Coordinator to integrate technical capacity sharing approaches, including how IRC can learn from key education actors such as teachers and partners

- Review existing education materials and lead process to adapt/contextualize/develop content in a participatory way

- Lead assessments to collaboratively identify program and sectors strengths and priorities for capacity sharing

- Prepare, implement, and monitor detailed capacity sharing plans for key target populations such as teachers and partners

- Develop and lead capacity sharing activities on agreed-upon education topics, using a range of methodologies to ensure continuous support and effective uptake (e.g. training, coaching, communities of practice, etc.)

- Develop and support processes in coordination with MEAL team to routinely gather partner feedback to enhance education program delivery

- Monitor partner support and capacity sharing activities, analyzing progress and challenges to identify opportunities for improvement or course-correction

- Identify opportunities for capacity-sharing with IRC team members and clients, and develop and lead appropriate activities

Program Management and Development

- Work closely with the Education Coordinator to manage and monitor education programs across the project cycle including when needed budget oversight and management.

- Use program management tools and liaise with operational teams to ensure program implementation remains on track

- Proactively identify ways to improve program implementation and quality

- In collaboration with the Education Coordinator, engage in business development to expand the portfolio

Professional Standards

- Complete other duties as assigned by the supervisor to develop, implement, and monitor education programs

- Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Education Coordinator

Position directly supervises: not applicable

Works closely with:

Internal: Other IRC Poland education team members, colleagues from other IRC sectors, IRC Partnerships, Finance and Supply Chain staff, education HQ team members.

External: IRC’s partner organizations, local municipalities and CSOs, and other community stakeholders; other practitioners in the field as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, international development, or other related field, or commensurate professional experience

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

- At least 3 years in a similar or related role, preferably with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or government municipality

- Experience in capacity sharing and program implementation, ideally in the education sector

- Experience in partnership development, with a strong preference for partnerships in humanitarian or international development contexts

- Strong negotiation skills and understanding of contracting and/or sub-award processes

- Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to liaise with a variety of people effectively in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment and to work with a virtual team.

- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

- Full working proficiency in English and Polish is required

Must have the right to work in Poland.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

#LI-GR2

Qualifications