Job: Education Coordinator

Location: Damascus, Syria 
Deadline: Monday, 28 October 2013 

Description

Purpose of the Position

On behalf of UNICEF, the Country Lead Agency for education coordination, and in support of the Government, the purpose of this post is to provide leadership and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, adequate, coherent, and effective education in emergency response by members of the ECC.

Key Expected Results

With the support and collaboration of UNICEF, resourcing partners and all ECC participants at the national and sub-national level, the post holder will:

- Monitor performance of the core coordination functions (see below);

- Establish and maintain an appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanism;

- Strengthen pre-existing sectoral coordination through increased predictability and accountability;

- Build complementarity of partner actions: avoiding duplication and gaps;

- Ensure adequate resources are mobilized and are equitably allocated for the effective functioning of the ECC and its response;

- Effective and comprehensive integration of relevant cross-cutting issues, including age, gender, environment and HIV/AIDs;

- Maintain flexibility within the ECC to respond to changes in the operating environment, evolving requirements, capacities and participation;

- Effectively use and transfer information to, from and between ECC members and other stakeholders;

- Interact with other sector working groups (including through inter-sectoral coordination fora), humanitarian actors, government counterparts, and relevant authorities for operational planning, engagement and active contribution of operational partners;

- Be accountable to the affected population through effective and inclusive consultative and feedback mechanisms. Coordination performance will be assessed and reported against the following core coordination functions:

- Supporting service delivery

- Informing strategic decision-making of the Humanitarian Coordinator / Humanitarian Country Team for the humanitarian response

- Planning and strategy development

- Advocacy

- Monitoring and reporting the implementation of the ECC strategy and results; recommending corrective action where necessary

- Contingency planning/preparedness/capacity building in situations where there is a high risk of recurring or significant new disaster and where sufficient capacity exists within the ECC.

- Accountability to affected populations

Qualifications of Successful Candidate Education

- Advanced university degree in education or relevant related field, or equivalent qualification.

Extensive work experience which is relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for formal qualifications.

A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.* Work Experience - Relevant professional work experience, at mid or senior level, including experience in humanitarian action within the education sector. - Demonstrated professional technical expertise in education in emergencies, early recovery and post-crisis transition. In depth understanding of the INEE Minimum Standards for Education: Preparedness, Response, Recovery. - Formal training in humanitarian coordination and/or demonstrated experience of effective high level coordination. Language - Fluent in English. A working knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

CORE VALUES

Diversity and Inclusion Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible. Integrity Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority. Commitment Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Communication Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way. Working with People Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well. Drive for Results Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Deciding and Initiating Action Takes responsibility for actions, projects and people; takes initiative and works under own direction; initiates and generates activity and introduces changes into work processes; makes quick, clear decisions which may include tough choices or considered risks. Leading and Supervising Provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high calibre; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching; sets appropriate standards of behaviour.
• Relating and Networking Easily establishes good relationships with external partners and staff; builds wide and effective networks within the sector, within the wider humanitarian system and with external parties; relates well to people at all levels; manages conflict; uses humour appropriately to enhance relationships with others.
• Persuading and Influencing Gains agreement and commitment from others by persuading, convincing and negotiating; makes effective use of political processes to influence and persuade others inside and outside the ECC; promotes ideas on behalf of oneself or others; makes a strong personal impact on others; takes care to manage ones impression on others.
• Applying Technical Expertise Applies specialist and detailed technical expertise; develops job knowledge and expertise (theoretical and practical) through continual professional development; demonstrates an understanding of different organizational departments and functions.
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts Works strategically to realize ECC goals; sets and develops strategies; identifies and develops positive and compelling visions of the organizational future potential; takes account of a wide range of issues across, and related to, the ECC.
• Planning and Organizing Sets clearly defined objectives; plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of possible changing circumstances; identifies and organizes resources needed to accomplish tasks; manages time effectively; monitors performance against deadlines and milestones.
• Adapting and Responding to Change Adapts to changing circumstances including emergencies and other crises; tolerates ambiguity; accepts new ideas and change initiatives; adapts interpersonal style to suit different people and situations; shows an interest in new experiences.
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks Maintains a positive outlook at work; works productively in a pressurized environment and in crisis situations; keeps emotions under control during difficult situations; handles criticism well and learns from it; balances the demands of a work life and a personal life.
• Analysing Analyses numerical data and all other sources of information, to break them into component parts, patterns and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgments from the available information and analysis; demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system. Learning and Researching Rapidly learns new tasks and commits information to memory quickly; demonstrates an immediate understanding of newly presented information; gathers comprehensive information to support decision making.
• Creating and Innovating Produces new ideas, approaches, or insights; creates innovative ways of designing projects or outputs in own work area; produces a range of solutions to problems.
• Following Instructions and Procedures Does not unnecessarily challenge authority; follows procedures and policies; keeps to schedules; complies with legal obligations and safety requirements of the role.
• Entrepreneurial Thinking Keeps up to date with trends in own work area; identifies opportunities for advancing education coordination; maintains awareness of developments in the organizational structure and politics; demonstrates financial awareness and a concern for cost effectiveness.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Understanding of key issues in sector Understands key technical issues in the sector sufficiently well to be able to: engage with and make full use of cluster participant experience and knowledge; guide strategy and plans in the sector; communicate and advocate for important issues in the sector. Understanding of Humanitarian reform Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda. Understands, uses and adapts the tools, mechanisms and processes developed as part of Humanitarian reform. Remarks

• Please note that Damascus is a non-family duty station.
• Please note that this is a re-advertisement. Candidates who have applied to the 1st round, will also be considered, and do not need to re-apply. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

More Info and Application