Senior Education Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that responds to the world's worst crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Established in 1933, IRC operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. The organization focuses on various sectors including education, health, and protection, aiming to empower individuals and communities affected by conflict and disaster.

Job Overview:
The Senior Education Officer is a pivotal role within the IRC, primarily responsible for enhancing the education and child protection programming in Poland. This position emphasizes school-based initiatives and requires the postholder to conduct workshops and training sessions, forge partnerships with local institutions, and manage projects throughout their entire lifecycle. The officer will be tasked with ensuring that educational programs meet quality standards and effectively support the wellbeing of students. This role demands a proactive approach to identifying new opportunities for collaboration and maintaining strong relationships with various stakeholders in the education sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Education Officer will lead the implementation of school-based education and child protection initiatives, ensuring they align with IRC's technical guidance and quality standards. Key responsibilities include delivering training sessions for teachers and school staff, engaging with children to pilot activities, and overseeing the implementation of EU-funded projects at the school level. The officer will monitor progress against established work packages and timelines, ensuring compliance with grant requirements. Additionally, the role involves tracking expenditures, supporting financial reconciliation, and contributing to new grant proposals and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design processes. The officer will also conduct outreach to schools to identify new program participants and maintain relationships with local education institutions and stakeholders to facilitate program delivery and coordination efforts. Furthermore, the officer will support data collection and information management systems in line with MEAL guidelines and assist in program evaluations to document lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in the education sector, ideally with direct experience in schools. They should have a proven track record in designing and delivering training for adults, particularly teachers and school staff. Experience with donor-funded projects, particularly EU projects, is highly advantageous, as is familiarity with work plans, deliverables, and budget management. The ideal candidate will have experience collaborating with educational institutions, municipalities, NGOs, or Teacher Training Centers, and should be comfortable working in multicultural settings, with experience working with refugee or migrant learners considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in Education, Pedagogy, Psychology, Social Sciences, or a related field is required for this position. Formal pedagogical qualifications are strongly preferred, and additional training in areas such as inclusive education, wellbeing, child protection, or adult learning will be viewed favorably.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the education sector, with a strong emphasis on practical experience within school environments. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to design and deliver effective training programs for adult audiences, as well as their experience in managing donor-funded projects, which includes familiarity with project planning, deliverables, and budget oversight.

Languages:
Fluency in Polish is mandatory, along with communicative proficiency in English. Knowledge of Ukrainian or Belarusian is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse populations. Strong digital skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams are also essential for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time and may involve working in a dynamic and multicultural environment. The role may require occasional travel within Poland to various educational institutions and partner organizations. Compensation and benefits details are typically aligned with IRC's organizational policies and may include health benefits, professional development opportunities, and support for work-life balance.