Technical Manager- Basic Education

Job Description

Purpose of the Role

The IRC is seeking to hire a full-time Technical Manager to support Innovation Specialist with the launch of a unique collaboration with the Arnhold Family Foundation and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Bangladesh. Technical Manager will work to implement an innovative program in Bangladesh that reaches last-mile children and parents and caregivers, providing them with quality technology-enhanced education solutions.Our approach to reaching these last-mile children with a quality education has three areas of focus:

● Meet children where they are both physically and cognitively, with flexible, student-centered learning that they can access in or close to their homes.

● Break down barriers to school entry and support children’s integration into schools once they are ready; and

● Prepare teachers in schools to integrate children with specific needs into their classrooms and equip both teachers and students for future school disruption.

The IRC will build on existing, successful programs while continuing to innovate, iterate and test promising solutions. Through this program, we will provide effective, low-cost, and scalable education solutions for children currently denied education in crisis-affected countries.

To deliver on this vision, we focus on adapted, innovative, technology solutions to empower crisis-affected children to reach their full potential in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development, establishing the core foundations necessary for future well-being. Our solutions will also enable teachers and caregivers to foster support for children in and outside of school. We are committed to increasing access to quality learning through proven, locally-led solutions to deliver education. Our approach to reaching last-mile children with a quality education has three core pillars:

1. Localized innovation - Engagement with local innovators and educators who are well-placed to advance locally driven solutions with sustainable impact. 2. Platform-based approaches - Adopting digital approaches for the last mile to empower students, teachers, and caregivers at scale across multiple contexts. 3. Research & development - Mapping of promising solutions, operational pilots, and rigorous evaluations to drive quality, cost-efficiency, and evidence of the effectiveness of our solutions, especially for high-risk students.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

The applicant must be comfortable in a fast-paced, collaborative, and flexible working environment to help to support the diverse, multi-disciplinary work. Experience working in cross-functional teams is essential. The successful candidate will report to Innovation Specialist in Bangladesh and will support the delivery of the programs. The Technical manager will also work closely with the Implementation partners (Local NGOs selected for field-level implementation to identify capacity needs, develop plan, do capacity building and monitoring. The Technical Manager will also work closely with the solution partners (consultant contracted for testing and modification of solution/s to be implemented) to align the field level context reflect while solution development.

Coordination & Representation:

- Coordinate closely with implementation partners, local communities, local government agencies, and strategic partners and bring their voice to the technical discussion forums, to solution partner and intervention team of IRC BD.

- Contribute and take part in the discussions and meetings with the Regional Technical team, Airbel Impact Lab (IRC’s research and innovation unit).

- Working and supporting the Implementation partners will be essential; in addition to bridging between the solution partner and implementation partner.

Deliverables

The Technical manager will perform a variety of tasks under the guidance of the Innovation Specialist for the completion of the project activities including, but not limited to:

- Lead execution of design research activities with clients and document detailed notes on client feedback. Will be trained on user-centered design methodologies and be closely guided by the lead designerto ensure high-quality research data.

- Support in client feedback data collection, tools development, and data management & analysis.

- Provide key capacity development support for Implementation Partners

- Creation of capacity development plans, follow up and mentoring/coaching of local partners in innovation and tech approaches.

- Support for program evaluation, learning, and pivoting from learnings in a rapid fashion to inform a redesign.

- Support solution partner with prototyping work and adaptation of solution.

- Facilitate different meetings, training, and workshops (e.g. learning events, program pilot reflection meetings, pivot meetings, and design meetings) as needed for the project.

- Support in solution and implementation partner communication, monitoring visits, and ensuring targets & deliverables.

- Provide support in data collection, monitoring, reporting, and other required M&E efforts including rapid program adaptations based on program monitoring.

- Monitor, modify and refine classroom and program monitoring tools

- Monitor and oversight of any technology-enhanced solutions & platforms to ensure implementing partners are supported, problems are immediately addressed, and adaptations made, in coordination with technical advisors.

- Support in conducting the rapid and standardized evaluation of project parameters and support in initiating feedback and improvements.

- Raise related PRs, and vehicle requisitions and maintain good relations with support departments.

- Engagement with key stakeholders: government, local stakeholders, caregivers, education sector & partners

- Support evaluation of pilot through implementation partner.

- Scale-up Planning with Partners (analysis of costing, analysis of gov. policy, gov. financing, fit with the ecosystem)

- Ensure translation of interview questions and other research tools into the local language.

Qualifications

Experience (Including sector/industry)

At least 5 years with NGO/INGOs. Working experience with the Education program and specific experience in Program design, adaptation, monitoring, research, evaluation, and technology will be an additional value

Experience and Competencies: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Experience and skills in EdTech solution implementation, design, monitoring, evaluation, and research would be of value.

- Experience working with refugees and vulnerable groups of people.

- Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures

- Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.

- Strong writing skills and speaking fluency in both English and Bangla

- Understanding of local dialect will be an additional value.

- Should be willing to travel to project areas (Camps & Hosts – Cox’s Bazar and outside) on a regular basis. Experience working in and an understanding of the Southern area context, challenges, and barriers would be valued.

- Cares about the mission and goals of the IRC.

Language Preference:

Proficient in Bengali and English. Functional proficiency in the local dialect would be advantageous.

Specific Educational Qualification

Minimum master’s degree from any discipline or the equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in education, Social Welfare, Sociology, Development Studies, and English will be preferable.