Education Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crisis. Established to provide life-saving and long-term assistance, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, employing approximately 15,000 staff members. The organization is dedicated to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the support they need in times of crisis. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering a work culture that empowers employees to share ideas and take responsibility, while also promoting human dignity and respect for all individuals.

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 standards. This role involves comprehensive project cycle management, team leadership, and capacity building, ensuring that programming is integrated and coordinated with key stakeholders. The manager will report to the Area Programme Manager and receive technical guidance from the Education Specialist. The position is crucial for managing the North-East area Education team and ensuring that projects effectively target beneficiaries in need of protection, while also exploring innovative ways to assist displaced populations. The role requires a proactive approach to developing new programming opportunities and maintaining high standards of project quality and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Education Project Manager will be responsible for a variety of key tasks, including: contributing to the development of country, area, and core competency strategies; initiating and participating in the development of relevant education projects; identifying new programming opportunities and synergies with other core competencies and partnerships; coordinating and managing education project implementation, including EiE activities, budget management, procurement, and project documentation; providing regular progress reports to the Area Programme Manager and Education Specialist; leading the development of mid-year and annual donor reports; ensuring projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection; developing and managing project budgets in collaboration with Education Coordinators; implementing technical direction and ensuring high technical quality of projects; ensuring program quality and adherence to NRC’s Safe and Inclusive Schools Programme; providing leadership and support to the education team; managing and building the capacity of project staff; liaising with local authorities and key stakeholders; promoting PSEA standards and principles within NRC and among beneficiaries.

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. They should have technical expertise in education and familiarity with education minimum standards, as well as knowledge of humanitarian standards such as INEE and Sphere. Experience in shaping and scaling education in emergencies projects, including conducting assessments and developing response strategies, is essential. Additionally, candidates should 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, host communities, and displaced populations is also required. Proficiency in applying ICT tools for assessments, analysis, documentation, and reporting is necessary, along with strong report writing skills and experience in developing proposals, budgets, work plans, and monitoring and evaluation. Leadership experience, capacity building, and community mobilization skills are also important.

Educational Background:
The position requires a technical education background, with specific expertise in education-related fields. Candidates should have relevant academic qualifications that align with the responsibilities of managing education projects in humanitarian contexts. This may include degrees in education, social sciences, or related disciplines that provide the necessary knowledge and skills for effective project management and implementation.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least three years of senior-level project implementation experience in a humanitarian or recovery context. This experience should include working in complex and volatile environments, demonstrating the ability to manage projects effectively while navigating challenges inherent in such contexts. Candidates should also have a proven track record of leadership and team management, showcasing their ability to build capacity and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency in Ukrainian is required, while knowledge of the Russian language is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with team members, stakeholders, and beneficiaries in the region.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Kharkiv, Ukraine, specifically within the North East Area Office. The contract duration is set 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 without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative ideas and provides employees at all levels with opportunities to take responsibility and contribute to the mission of assisting refugees and displaced individuals.