Education Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that has been operational since 2001 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members, NRC operates in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people each year. The organization is dedicated to protecting the rights of displaced individuals and advocating for increased humanitarian funding and engagement to foster structural changes in protection and assistance. NRC's programs focus on various areas including Education, Rapid Response to Movements of Population (RRMP), Protection and Humanitarian Mediation, Shelter, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA).

Job Overview:
The Education Specialist position is a critical role within NRC, aimed at setting the strategic direction and ensuring quality assurance/control for the Education Core Competency in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The specialist will be responsible for mentoring and training staff, building their technical capacity, and developing the education portfolio in the country. This includes establishing minimum standards, creating relevant tools and procedures, and engaging in fundraising and donor relations. The role also involves representing NRC at relevant forums and ensuring that the education programs align with regional and global strategies and priorities. The Education Specialist will play a vital role in ensuring compliance with NRC policies and procedures while contributing to the overall development and implementation of education programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Education Specialist will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing the Education Core Competency (CC) strategy, technical guidance, and macro-log frames that align with regional and global strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with NRC policies, guidance, and procedures.
• Contributing to fundraising efforts by developing and revising funding proposals, budgets, and donor reports.
• Identifying trends in technical standards and donor priorities to inform program development.
• Following up on compliance with contractual commitments within the Education CC and ensuring high technical quality in project implementation.
• Providing technical direction and support for project implementation.
• Extracting key learnings from education implementation and incorporating them into program and staff development processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as social sciences or other relevant disciplines. An advanced academic qualification is considered an added advantage. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of experience in a technical expertise area within a humanitarian or recovery context, specifically in education. Experience in managing complex education programs, including implementation, program development, fundraising, and budget development, is essential. Candidates should also have technical education expertise and fluency in both English and French, both written and spoken. Knowledge of donor requirements and experience with organizations such as ECHO, EU, ECW, KFW, AFD, and others is important. Familiarity with the DRC context and response is a plus, as is knowledge of the Swahili language. Experience in designing and delivering team capacity strengthening initiatives, including remote coaching, mentoring, and training, is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as social sciences or related disciplines. An advanced academic qualification will be considered an advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in education within humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in a technical expertise area, particularly within a humanitarian or recovery context. This experience should include managing complex education programs, demonstrating the ability to implement, develop, and fundraise effectively within the education sector. Experience in volatile contexts is also essential, as it indicates the candidate's ability to navigate challenges and adapt to changing environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory for this position, both in written and spoken forms. Knowledge of the Swahili language is considered a strong advantage, enhancing communication capabilities within the local context and with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and offers a fixed national or international contract for a duration of 24 months, which is renewable based on funding, performance, and the ongoing need for the position. It is important to note that Goma is classified as a Non-Family Duty Station for international contracts. The role involves approximately 30% travel. The salary and benefits are aligned with NRC’s grade 9 on their salary scale, accompanied by the relevant terms and conditions. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and responsibility among employees at all levels.