Senior Education Advisor

Supporting Education in Syria

Full Time
Berlin
Posted 3 years ago

About DCI:

Development Catalyst International (DCI) formally known as “Change Thru Empowerment” is an international development organization, dedicated to improving education, governance, economic conditions and respond to humanitarian crisis. It focuses on forming inclusive educational systems, developing sustainable economic growth, promoting free and fair elections, good governance, engaging youth and offering ICT solutions to the community and economic development problems triggered by ineffective governance, and instability in both development and emergency context.

Position Description:

DCI seeks qualified a Senior Education Advisor for an anticipated donor-funded project in Syria. The Senior Education Advisor is responsible to provide high quality technical assistance to program design and implementation to improve children learning in project supported educational approaches and operating in camps, IDPs and refugees’ environments. S/he will provide technical leadership and support to program staff and stakeholders to drive improvements in children’s educational opportunities and performance and enabling youth to obtain an education that prepares students for higher education or the ability to access economic and vocational opportunities. S/he will lead efforts to improve educational quality in target governorates through provision of quality, inclusive education in non-regime held areas of Syria.

This position is contingent on the funding. Syrian and Regional candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Senior Education Advisor will report to the Chief of Party and provide technical leadership and support for the technical team.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Supervise the implementation of educational activities and provide technical support and guidance to project staff in targeted governorates.
  • Provide technical leadership and ensure complementarity of activity approaches in training, literacy, and social emotional learning across the geographic areas.
  • Ensure increase equitable access to educational opportunities to reduce the risk that youth will be recruited to join violent extremist groups and/or be forced to migrate outside of Syria to pursue opportunities;
  • Provide teachers and caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide psychosocial support to youth to address trauma and help overcome fear and personal security concerns;
  • Ensure strengthening the capacity of education authorities/supervisory bodies, other education actors, and child protection officers to deliver vital education services;
  • Ensure incorporation of a unified education system in Syria in all relevant programming in order to contribute to broader reintegration of the Syrian education system;
  • Provide technical inputs into the implementation of inclusive education activities and ensures that activities and approaches across geographic areas are equitable, address the needs of underserved populations and those in need of inclusive education.
  • Ensure provision of technical and vocational education training (TVET) to out-of-school youths and out-of-work young adults, especially for women in female-headed households to secure market-driven skills to find employment;
  • Evaluate impact of all training in preparing students for higher level education, adjusting trainings as necessary; and
  • Supervise and provide quality assurance to the production of activity-supported materials, trainings, coaching, and student testing efforts.
  • Develop pilot programs related to education, reintegration, and social cohesion for youth, especially considering expansion into Hassakeh Governorate and potentially non regime held areas of northwest Syria if the security situation permits.
  • Provide technical inputs and leadership for the implementation of key assessments and research and assist with the process of development and field testing to validate instruments, analyze results, and adapt instruments.
  • Liaise with government representatives and technicians and other stakeholders on technical matters.
  • Maintain regular communication with the project field staff, implementing partners and the Chief of Party.
  • Responsible for implementation, technical leadership, and mentorship of technical staff.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in education or related pedagogically oriented field;
  • At least eight (8) years of experience in work specifically to improve education and teacher training programming directed to community-based education and operating in camps and settlements for returnees, IDPs and refugees environments;
  • Experience in developing and implementing education materials, Training Programs, classroom monitoring protocols and tests, and familiarity with a variety of assessments – both formal and informal;
  • Demonstrated experience working with Ministries of Education and other stakeholders at the national and governorate levels;
  • Previous experience in USG funded programs, and a strong knowledge of U.S. Department of State reporting requirements is an advantage;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork. Effective communication skills, able to make formal and informal presentations both orally and in writing and produce professional and analytical reports and program documents; and 
  • Fluency in English and Arabic is required.  

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