ROLE PURPOSE:

Save the Children (SCI) and UNICEF share global responsibility for the coordination of Education in Emergencies as part of the UN humanitarian reform (website) and the Cluster system.

The overall aim of the Education Cluster in Ethiopia is to support the coordination of a timely, coherent and effective education preparedness, plan and response by mobilizing and coordinating stakeholders to respond in a strategic manner to existing and potential emergencies. The education cluster is accountable to the Humanitarian Country Team and Humanitarian Coordinators through the lead agencies (Save the Children and UNICEF) to fulfil this aim.

The Education Cluster Coordinator will lead this initiative by working impartially and closely with coordination staff from our co-lead (UNICEF) and lead (Ministry of Education) organizations, EiE information management specialists, UN OCHA, and other cluster coordinators, to serve the needs of all members of the Education Cluster.

The Coordinator has the responsibility to strengthen and coordinate both national and sub-national education clusters. He/she will also work with key education stakeholders, which include children, families, communities, Regional Education Bureaus and other relevant authorities, ECW Coordination Unit, education institutions and INGOs, National NGOs and UN agencies, to provide an effective, timely and strategic collective response to the current situation.

The Coordinator will also work closely with the existing subnational cluster coordinators/focal points in Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, Somali, Gambella, Amhara, and Tigray, and facilitate communication and two-ways information-sharing with them. Depending on the scale of the emergency it may be necessary to facilitate the set-up of new clusters at sub-national level and to work with/supervise dedicated information management staff

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Support service delivery by

• Being/providing an impartial and neutral resource and platform for Education in Emergencies that ensures service delivery is driven by the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Education Cluster strategic priorities with a strong emphasis on localization, AAP, humanitarian and development nexus/continuum and identification of durable solutions.
• Developing and maintaining mechanisms to eliminate duplication of service delivery and identify gaps and resources/partners to address them. (demonstrated by the maintained ‘Education Cluster Monitoring Tool’ database).

Inform the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC)/Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)’s strategic decision-making through the SCI Country Director who is HCT member, by

• Preparing needs assessments (review of secondary data, as relevant) and analysis of gaps
• Identifying and finding solutions for (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication and cross-cutting issues.
• Formulating priorities on the basis of analysis.

Plan and develop strategy by

• Developing and updating strategic documents for the sector, including: Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), Education Cluster Strategy and Annual Workplan that address cross cutting issues (gender, localization, AAP, disability, protection, etc.) and Humanitarian-Development nexus/continuum.
• In collaboration with Child Protection and WASH Cluster, developing, applying and adhering to common standards and guidelines.
• Clarifying funding requirements, helping to set priorities, and agreeing cluster contributions to the HC’s overall humanitarian funding proposals.

Monitor and evaluate performance by

• Monitoring and reporting on activities and needs (quantitative and qualitative approach), including but not limited to the consolidation and analysis of the Education Cluster Monitoring Tool.
• Measuring performance against the EiE Cluster strategy and agreed results and recommending corrective action where necessary.

Contribute to Localization and Capacity Building:

• Identify institutional capacity needs and gaps of local and national cluster member organizations, and facilitate addressing these gaps.
• Increase the voices of local and national members by facilitating their membership to cluster and Strategic Advisory Group
• Identify technical capacity building opportunities for country Cluster staff, government counterparts and National NGOs in order to guarantee on-going sustainability and quality of the response.

Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

•  Identifying concerns that contribute to HC and HCT messaging and action.
• Undertaking advocacy on behalf of the Education Cluster membership, and affected people, to ensure education is included in humanitarian appeals
• Manage relations with donors and provide information on funding requirements and operational capacity of members
• Maintain close engagement with the Ministry of Education

Accountability to Affected Populations and Child Participation

•  Introducing/mainstreaming existing mechanisms by which to obtain feedback from communities, ensuring this includes represents the full spectrum of stakeholders (including women, children and people with disabilities) on the effectiveness and efficiency of the education sector humanitarian response.

Child Safeguarding

• Ensure that Cluster mainstreams Child Safeguarding principles, and cluster members’ awareness and capacities on CSG are strengthened through planned activities.

General:

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• Display neutrality and act as representative of all education cluster members.
• Develop and maintain a strong and positive relationship with key counterparts at the relevant line ministry/department and UNICEF

COMPETENCIES FOR THIS ROLE:

Leading and Inspiring Others

• Demonstrates leadership in all our work, embodies our values, and articulates a compelling vision to inspire others to achieve our goals for children.

            Desired level: Accomplished

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organization.

            Desired level: Leading Edge

Communicating with Impact

• Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others.

            Desired level: Leading Edge

Working Effectively with Others

• Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives. Knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working. 

             Desired level: Leading Edge

Job Requirements

In order to be successful you will bring/have:

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Qualification in MSc/MA/MEng level in Education (or a related field) or equivalent field experience with EiE
• Prior 10 years of experience in cluster coordination (senior management of Education in Emergency (EiE) program may be considered a substitute)
• Excellent communication skills, including ability to work with diverse groups
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Previous first phase emergency response experience is essential
• Understanding of the Humanitarian Program Cycle including experience with Humanitarian Response Planning and/or Humanitarian Needs Overview
• Demonstrable ability to work and represent views across different stakeholders taking part in the Education Cluster
• Experience of high level co-ordination and chairing of meetings
• Demonstrable understanding of international humanitarian response and co-ordination mechanisms
• Understanding of opportunities to provide integrated or cross-cutting humanitarian interventions with other sectors and Clusters, especially Child Protection and WASH
• Experience of applying relevant interagency humanitarian frameworks and standards in education in emergencies (for example INEE Minimum Standards)
• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.

Desirable

• Strong information management skills
• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
• Experience or knowledge of working and living in relevant regions/contexts

How to Apply

The Organization

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application, and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found here

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.