Jobs

Save the Children Head of Education Sector Job in Hargeisa, Somalia / Somaliland
Reports to: [Director of Technical Support]
Dimensions: Save the Children works in [four] regions in [Somalia/Somaliland] with a current staff complement of approximately [450] staff and current expenditure of approximately [US$60] million each year.
Staff directly reporting to this post: 2-4
Key Areas of Accountability:

Programme Development
Lead on development of thematic strategy in education including basic/primary/ secondary education, teachers education and training and skills training and employment in line with Save the Children’s Country Strategic Plan for Somalia/Somaliland programme
Lead in developing and realising ambitious yet practical education plans as part of the Country Annual Plans
Work together with quality programmes and operations teams to initiate and design high quality, cost-effective, innovative and sustainable project proposals and concept notes for the sector
Proactively seek information on potential donor sources and share project opportunities in education with quality programmes and operations teams linking to Country and Area strategies in education
Seek strategic linkage, wherever applicable, with other thematic areas of Somalia/Somaliland programme i.e. child protection, child rights governance, health & nutrition, DRR and Food security & livelihoods for developing integrated programmes for difficult to reach children in Somalia/Somaliland

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
Lead the development and implementation of relevant and sustainable capacity building strategy for area teams and partners including consortium partners on education in coordination with the operations team
Provide technical guidance and inputs where relevant to the operations and quality programme teams and consortium partners and do technical review of donor reports to ensure that the reports are of high quality from a technical point of view as per expectations in the project proposals
Assist the quality programmes team to enhance the capacity of operations teams (e.g. programme/project managers) in developing appropriate systems for documenting and storing relevant information/data needed for donor and member reporting.
Provide elaborations and as required directions and trainings to managers in operations teams involved in delivering projects focusing on appropriate approaches and methodologies; conceptual and practical frameworks; standards and tools for effective and quality delivery of education programmes.

Representation and Advocacy
Represent Somalia/Somaliland programme in relevant internal and external fora including donor meetings (as appropriate) related to education
Work closely with quality programmes and operations teams to develop policy research and advocacy strategy in education in line with the Country Strategic Plan and global strategy of Save the Children
Leverage donor interest and government policies for the difficult to reach children in Somalia/Somaliland both in emergency and development situations through targeted advocacy/key messages
Identify and capitalise key opportunities and events for Save the Children to position itself as the leading organisation for children’s education issues in Somalia and Somaliland
Work with consortium members wherever applicable to further Save the Children’s mission for children

People Management, Mentoring and Development
Ensure that all technical staff in education understand and are able to adapt their roles in both emergency and development contexts
Manage the education team; define expectations, provide leadership and support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate; ensure availability of and support appropriate professional development opportunities for staff in education
Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.
Oversee that all Education staff proactively build and maintain technical skills and competencies required for leading and/or inputting for first class programmes – both development and emergency nature
Manage the performance of all direct reports in Education through: effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities; recognition and rewards for outstanding performance; documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvement workplans
Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors.

Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation
Assist quality programmes team to ensure that all education projects and components have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines
Technically assist quality programmes team in measuring achievement and progress towards program goals and results through the M&E system
Lead and work closely with quality programmes team to identify and lead strategic ground breaking research in education for development of innovative programmes and issue-based advocacy
Facilitate appropriate dissemination of research findings and good practices documentations in the projects internally and externally to donors, governments, consortium partners and other key actors strategic for immediate and sustainable development of children in Somalia/Somaliland

Knowledge Management
Serve as a technical knowledge, skills and experience hub for the sector in Somalia/Somaliland and in doing so play a leading role in introducing innovations in education programmes (gained from existing and emerging Save the Children’s global knowledge and practices) and in turn documenting and sharing best practices and innovations for replication and advocacy together with programme quality team.
Work with technical resources among Save the Children members to facilitate sharing and learning in education good practices and leverage their support for strengthening education studies, assessments, innovations, advocacy and capacity building in favour of children in Somalia/Somaliland

Budget Holding
Manage technical budgets in education efficiently and in line with donor guidelines and project plans as appropriate and as delegated

Skills and Behaviours (Our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:
Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:
Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:
Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency

Qualifications and Experience
Post-graduate degree in education or a related field with additional training in education planning and management and project planning and management techniques
Knowledge of current global and regional debates on quality and employment oriented education policies and models
Recommended a minimum of eight years of relevant technical experience including at senior level
Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical education projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs
Proven experience and skills in research and advocacy and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors and writing up high quality donor reports
Experience of working with local/national governments and capacity building of systems, partners and staff
Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management  environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
Commitment to Save the Children values

Child Safeguarding Policy:
Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance  Form] and comply with the SCI’s Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for. Save the Children’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

Please send a copy of your CV with a cover letter to EA.recruitment@savethechildren.org.
For more information please visit our website www.savethechildren.net/jobs
Applications closes on January 10th 2013
Due to the urgency to fill this positions shortlisting will be done as applications stream in.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.