Quality, Training and Capacity Building Manager - Erbil

Job Description

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 IRC Iraq program was established in 2003 and is currently operating programs in 14 governorates in the Kurdistan Region and south central Iraq with an annual budget of over $30 million. Working in coordination with the humanitarian community, the IRC's assistance programs for Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq, includes both camp-based and urban-based refugee and IDP assistance. The IRC Iraq supports IDPs, returnees, host communities and Syrian refugees across 14 governorates in Iraq with activities focused on education, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, child protection and livelihoods activities. The IRC Iraq’s country office is based in Erbil, with field offices in Mosul, Kirkuk, Ramadi, Duhok and Baghdad.

In Iraq, high-quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs have the potential to provide the foundation for children future academic success, health, prosperity, and wellbeing. A large body of scientific evidence emphasizes the need for increased investment in early childhood, particularly for children experiencing conflict, crisis and displacement; these children are extremely vulnerable to the long-lasting effects that prolonged stress has on the developing brain.

In December 2017, Sesame Workshop and the IRC were awarded the MacArthur Foundation’s inaugural 100&Change grant to make real progress toward solving a critical problem of our time. With the extraordinary investment of $100 million, our partnership will transform the language, early reading, math, and social-emotional skills of a generation of children ages 0-8 affected by the Syrian war. Focusing on children in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria over the next five years, the plan combines the depth of in-person services, reaching 1.5 million children, with the breadth of mass media, reaching 9.4 million children. For more information, please visit: http://refugee.sesameinternational.org/.

Job Overview/Summary:

Reporting to the Senior ECD Program Manager the Quality, Training and Capacity Building Manager ensures that the design, implementation and monitoring of the IRC Ahlan Simsim program in Iraq is in line with appropriate technical guidelines and meet high quality standards. The position provides technical oversight and support to Ahlan Simsim program staff and facilitators in Ninawa and Anbar and other locations as needed. The position plays a key role in ensuring harmonization of best practices across geographical areas and synergies across different sectors of intervention. The position develops and delivers training and capacity building to different stakeholders as needed; this includes:

- Technical and quality support in the design, implementation and monitoring of program activities and strategies; - Lead the review and development processes of curriculums, materials and technical tools; - Oversee content and coordination of trainings, workshops and capacity building plans for staff and facilitators; - Support internal/external representation and communication activities, liaising with technical, education partners and local authorities.

Major Responsibilities:

Development and adaptation of technical materials

- Liaise with IRC’s Technical Unit to oversee the new developments of technical design, strategies and best practices; - Review and develop technical tools and materials, adapting and contextualizing as needed; - Lead programmatic curriculum review and development processes, including supervising and harmonize the work of teams or consultants; and - Leads learning and knowledge management initiatives.

Training and capacity building

- Lead the design, planning and implementation of Training of Trainers (ToT), facilitators trainings and workshops; - Leads learning and knowledge management initiatives; - Support in the planning and execution of inclusive ECD training and capacity building budgets; oversee logistical and financial arrangements for inclusive ECD trainings and workshops; - Supports in the design and implementation of inclusive ECD capacity building plans at the field level, including coaching and on-the-job training, in collaboration with ECD Officer, Senior Officers, and ECD Managers; - Support the development or selection of strategies, technical materials and tools for pilots and initiatives related to inclusive ECD activities; - Build the capacity of technical staff in charge of supervising inclusive ECD-related initiatives in pilots within other IRC sector programs, through training and regular coaching; and - Provide training and capacity building for Ahlan Simsim local partners and government partners in different locations.

Synergies and cross-sector educational initiatives

- Support the development or selection of strategies, technical materials and tools for pilots and initiatives related to ECD activities implemented by other IRC sector programs, partner’s organizations and government partners; - Build the capacity of technical staff in charge of supervising education related initiatives in pilots within other IRC sector programs and partners, through training and regular coaching; - Conduct observations of activities implemented and share recommendations to improve the quality of technical approaches.

Internal/external representation and communication

- Support development of internal communication tools (ex: program newsletters); - Support donor reporting activities (drafting sections, gathering inputs, editing success stories); - Support planning and representation of donor visits; - Represent the IRC in meetings with INGO, NNGO, government and other stakeholders in coordination meetings and events.

Human Resources Management

- Build capacity of the team under his/her supervision, providing ongoing coaching and support to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions; - Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis as a part of the annual Performance Review and Planning Process; - Identify individual training needs and ensure access to training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs; - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit, oversight and advise; - Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior ECD Program Manager Position directly supervises: N/A Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Senior ECD Officers and ECD Officers; ECD Managers, ECD Coordinator, Ahlan Simsim Regional and HQ Technical Team, Grants Department, Finance Department, Supply Chain Department, Human Resources, ECD Technical Unit, ECD RMEAL unit, MEAL Coordinator, regional IRC ECD program staff members.

External******: New York University, Sesame Workshop, Local Partners, Relevant Ministries, and Communities.

Qualifications

- Bachelor degree in social sciences, international development, Education or other relevant related field; - 3 to 5 years of professional experience working in ECD or/and education sector including teaching, teacher training, and materials design (training and curriculum); - Minimum 1-2 years management level experience and/or professional experience in Early Childhood Development or Education sector programming - Strong understanding of educational context in Iraq; - Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating trainings and workshops tailored for teachers and teacher trainers (ToT); - Experience building capacity of local organization in technical and organizational development areas; - Strong program technical and management skills; - Solid demonstrated experience with planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation; - Thorough understanding of gender-based violence response protocols and service provision; - Strong written and oral communication skills; - Strong representation and liaison with external parties; - Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training, and transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others; - Demonstrated track record in working with teams, showing high performance in a multi-cultural environment, demonstrating flexibility, and ability to handle pressure; - Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel; - Fluency in Arabic and English written and spoken.

Preferred:

- Master Degree in early childhood development, education, or social sciences; - Prior Iraq experience working in emergency settings or insecure environments

Working Environment:

The position will be based in Erbil, Iraq with frequent travel to field sites in Ninawa, Anbar. Occasional travel to other governorates may also be required.

Standards of Professional Conduct:

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.

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 maternity leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Attention Returning National Candidates:

IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs. We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national 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, IRC 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.

Notice to all Job Seekers IRC implements an equal employment opportunity policy and our recruitment process is based on merit.

Applicants and/or successful interview candidates (both internal and external) are not required to pay any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

If anyone asks you for any financial or non-financial favors to help you secure a job at IRC, kindly report to Iraqhr@rescue.org

ملاحظة لكل الباحثين عن وظيفة

تعتمد لجنة الانقاذ الدولية سياسة فرص عمل متساوية و ان عملية التوظيف لدينا تعتمد على الجدارة.

لايتوجب على المتقدمين لاي وظيفة او المؤهلين للمقابلات (سواء كانوا موظفيين حالين او متقدمين من خارج المنظمة) دفع اي مبلغ مالي خلال اي مرحلة من مراحل التوظيف.

اذا قام اي شخص بطلب اي خدمة مالية او غير مالية لقاء مساعدتكم في تأمين فرصة عمل داخل المنظمة ،يرجى الابلاغ عن ذلك الى Iraqhr@rescue.org

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.