Education & Youth Programme Development 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 and disaster. Founded in 1946, NRC has grown to employ around 15,000 staff members and operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. NRC's mission is to ensure that displaced people can exercise their rights and access essential services, including education, shelter, and legal assistance. In Moldova, NRC was registered in April 2022 and has established a country office in Chișinău, focusing on supporting displaced persons from Ukraine and other vulnerable populations. The organization emphasizes a partner-led response, working closely with local civil society actors to deliver programs and strengthen national authorities' capacity. NRC's multi-sectoral approach includes education programming, protection from violence, and livelihoods support, all aimed at addressing the needs of displaced individuals and fostering their self-reliance and integration into host communities.

Job Overview:
The Education & Youth Programme Development Manager will play a crucial role in the design, development, and oversight of NRC's Youth Education portfolio in Moldova. This position is responsible for enhancing the quality of youth education and economic inclusion projects, identifying opportunities for further programmatic interventions, and ensuring compliance with NRC policies and procedures. The role requires a strong leader who can effectively manage staff and partners, provide capacity building, and contribute to fundraising efforts by developing and revising funding proposals and donor reports. The Programme Development Manager will also support monitoring, evaluation, and learning initiatives, ensuring that outcomes and indicators are tracked effectively. This position is particularly important given the context of significant displacement in Moldova, where the needs of youth and vulnerable populations are pressing and require innovative and effective solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Education & Youth Programme Development Manager include:

• Developing and implementing strategies, procedures, and guidance notes related to education and youth programming.
• Coordinating and managing the implementation of education and youth projects, including overseeing activities, budgets, and project documentation.
• Managing and mentoring staff, fostering their professional development and capacity building.
• Ensuring compliance with NRC policies, guidance, and procedures throughout project implementation.
• Contributing to fundraising efforts by developing and revising funding proposals, budgets, and donor reports.
• Supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities, including tracking outcomes and indicators.
• Representing NRC in relevant forums and managing relationships with stakeholders, including local partners and government authorities.
• Identifying opportunities for programmatic interventions and enhancing the quality of existing projects.
• Ensuring that the needs of displaced youth and vulnerable populations are prioritized in program design and implementation.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Education & Youth Programme Development Manager position should possess the following qualifications:

• Proven management experience in a humanitarian, recovery, or nexus context.
• Technical expertise in formal and non-formal education, youth programming, and economic inclusion.
• Proficiency in developing proposals, budgets, work plans, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• A strong track record in staff capacity building and team management.
• Expertise in using ICT tools for assessments, analysis, documentation, and reporting.
• Familiarity with humanitarian standards and best practices.
• Experience working in complex and volatile contexts, particularly in relation to displacement and refugee issues.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal, are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a relevant educational background, typically including a degree in education, social sciences, international development, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in education or youth programming may be advantageous and are often preferred by employers in this sector.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in program management, particularly in the fields of education and youth development within humanitarian or recovery contexts. A minimum of several years of relevant experience is typically required, with a preference for candidates who have worked in similar roles or environments. Experience in fundraising, proposal writing, and stakeholder engagement is also highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly Romanian or Russian, would be considered an asset and beneficial for effective communication within the local context.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Chișinău, Moldova, and is offered on a 12-month contract with the possibility of extension based on funding, requirements, and performance. The role may require approximately 25% travel. The position is classified as Grade 9 in NRC’s International Salary Scale, which comes with a competitive compensation and benefits package. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women and people of color. The organization emphasizes a supportive work culture that empowers employees to share ideas and take responsibility.