Education Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 employees, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the necessary aid and support to rebuild their lives. NRC's mission is to promote human dignity and empower communities affected by crises through effective and innovative humanitarian responses.

Job Overview:
The Education Project Manager is tasked with overseeing the implementation of education projects and activities in North-Eastern Ukraine, aligning with NRC's strategic objectives and operational standards. This role involves comprehensive team management, project cycle management, and capacity building, ensuring that programming is integrated and coordinated with key stakeholders. The Education Project Manager will report directly to the Area Programme Manager and receive technical guidance from the Education Specialist. The position is pivotal in managing the North-East area Education team, ensuring that all educational initiatives are effectively executed and meet the needs of the target beneficiaries, particularly those most in need of protection. The role also emphasizes the importance of developing new educational projects and identifying opportunities for collaboration with other core competencies and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Education Project Manager include contributing to the development of country, area, and core competency strategies, initiating and participating in the development of relevant education projects, and identifying new programming opportunities. The manager will coordinate and manage the implementation of education projects, including EiE activities, budget management, procurement, and project documentation, ensuring compliance with proposals, strategies, donor requirements, and NRC policies. Regular progress reports will be provided to the Area Programme Manager and the Education Specialist, and the manager will take a lead role in developing mid-year and annual donor reports, ensuring high-quality content and timely submission. The manager will also ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore new ways to assist, and promote the rights of displaced individuals in line with NRC's advocacy strategy. Additionally, the role involves implementing technical direction, ensuring high technical quality of projects, and providing leadership and support to the education team, including capacity building and skills transfer.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of three years of experience in a senior-level project implementation role within a humanitarian or recovery context, particularly in complex and volatile environments. Technical expertise in education and familiarity with minimum education standards, as well as knowledge of humanitarian standards such as INEE and Sphere, are essential. Experience in shaping and scaling education in emergencies projects, conducting assessments, and developing response strategies is required. The candidate should also have experience with partnership-based approaches, coordination, and holistic program designs, as well as knowledge of the humanitarian context in Ukraine. Familiarity with local authorities, humanitarian actors, and displaced populations is crucial, along with experience in applying ICT tools for assessments, analysis, documentation, and reporting. Strong report writing skills, including analytical capabilities, are necessary, as well as experience in developing proposals, budgets, work plans, and monitoring and evaluation. Leadership experience, capacity building, and community mobilization skills are also important.

Educational Background:
A relevant technical education background is required, with a focus on education or humanitarian studies. Candidates should have a solid understanding of educational minimum standards and humanitarian principles, which will be critical in effectively managing education projects in challenging contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of senior-level project implementation experience in humanitarian or recovery settings, particularly in complex and volatile contexts. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of managing education projects and working effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities and displaced populations.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory. Fluency in Ukrainian is also required, while knowledge of the Russian language is considered an asset, enhancing communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Kharkiv, Ukraine, specifically within the North East Area Office. The contract duration is for 12 months, with travel requirements of up to 30% to field locations. The salary and benefits are classified as Grade 8 on NRC's grading structure. NRC is an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion without discrimination based on age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability. The organization encourages innovative ideas and provides employees at all levels with the responsibility to contribute to the mission. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Ukraine, as NRC is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position. It is essential for candidates to attach copies of their academic and professional certificates when applying.