Education in Emergencies Specialist Plan International

Organization:
Plan International

Details:
Purpose / Role This position is responsible for assessment, response analysis, design and implementation of the education components of PLAN’s emergency response to the conflict situation in Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan. S/he will need to co-ordinate with other Emergency Response team members and PLAN staff, especially Implementation Management, protection and other relevant technical sectors, to ensure a rapid, proportionate and effective response. S/he will need to ensure response to immediate education issues in Pibor, Jonglei with simultaneous consideration of longer term needs and possible scenarios. The specialist may be expected to take a very active role in technical co-ordination, support and advocacy with South Sudan Education Clusters and other stakeholders and technical agencies relevant to the sector. Duration: 3 months (with possible extension) Duty Station: Jonglei

Background:
N/A


Responsibilities:
Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Assessment
• Provide sectoral leadership and expertise in the assessment in Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan.
• Conduct initial rapid assessment of current situation in collaboration with local specialists and affected population; determine priorities and immediate activities and resources
• Review, assess and update the education situation in areas affected by emergency
• Highlight education issues requiring a response – both immediate (less than 2 months) and medium term and make recommendations on specific PLAN actions required. Ensure core commitments to children are taken into consideration.
• Represent PLAN in the Education Clusters, stakeholders and Governmental and non-Governmental agencies (and military where present) for the purposes of the education aspects of the assessment.
• Assess in-country resources, human, material and financial for response with relevant staff and agencies and assist in capacity building of national staff.
• Identify potential partnerships in Pibor, Jonglei, South Sudan to implement recommendations, assess potential partners where available or make recommendations on how to fill gaps.

2. Program Design
• Define aims and objectives of the overall emergency education program (with support and feedback from the Global Education in Emergencies Specialist and country team members).
• In collaboration with national and international Education and Child Protection Actors, map current institutional response capacities – including conducting an education specific 3Ws. • In collaboration with Education Actors, develop a realistic evidence-based, education program plan, including both programmatic and advocacy activities (results oriented).
• Design most appropriate education interventions based on the outcomes of assessments and the context.
• Ensure that issues of gender, protection, DRR, and conflict sensitivity are factored into the program design.
• Ensure PLAN’s guidelines and UN education cluster standards are considered and any departures documented.
• Work in close collaboration with other program specialists to ensure that emergency interventions build upon each other and link in to longer term programming.
• Develop an education Program Plan, concept papers, and proposals in respect of the above.

3. Response Management and Implementation
• Work closely with the relevant implementation manager(s) to ensure that the implementation of relevant activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritised manner in full consultation and co-ordination with all relevant agencies both governmental and non-governmental.
• Provide technical guidance and direction to PLAN for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of agreed education plans with special emphasis on the most vulnerable children and their families.
• Make frequent field visits to Pibor, Jonglei conflict affected areas to monitor implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed including additional staffing or staff training or other.
• Design and develop appropriate surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems for education interventions.
• In coordination with Child Protection staff, support the Monitoring and reporting of child protection concerns and violations of child rights commitments embodied in the UNCRC, resolution 1612 and other legal instruments.
• Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality and accountability mechanisms.

4. Response Reporting, Monitoring & Evaluation
• Develop a monitoring plan and monitoring tools (simple tools that national staff can easily use)
• Draft education interventions reports to serve as standalone deliverables or to be included in larger emergency response reports for both donor and internal purposes.

5. Information and Co-ordination
• Provide regular updates to Emergency Response Manager and emergency team on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency.
• Engage and follow up with relevant implementation manager(s)
• Represent PLAN to governmental and non-governmental groups as needed and agreed with the ERM.
• Support the implementation of, and represent PLAN in, emergency education coordination mechanisms including any relevant cluster.
• Brief updates and reports on sectoral activities/strategies to donors and other stakeholders. Key Internal Contacts Emergency Response Manager and other members of the Emergency Response team as appropriate Key External Contacts Other agencies and groups responding to the emergency, in particular those working in the emergency education sector. Global Education in Emergencies Specialist. Reporting lines Reports to Emergency Response Manager or designate



Requirements:
Selection Criteria Core Competencies
• People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.

• Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of PLAN. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.

• Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to PLAN's core values and humanitarian principles.

• Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.

• Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Has the experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.

• Work style: Is well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills.

• Knowledge and skills: knowledge of PLAN policies and procedures (desired), Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct. Requires general finance, administration, information management and telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills.

• Training skills: Knowledge of and ability to do training for Plan national staff and partners on Education in Emergencies

• 3 – 5 years humanitarian aid experience.
• Fluency in English
• Multiple language skills desirable. Technical Competencies required for this position are
• Minimum of 5 years (of which at least 3 in the field) of progressively responsible professional experience in education in emergencies, or related fields.
• Minimum of two successful assignments in an emergency situation/context;
• All education specialists will have a good knowledge and understanding of DO NO HARM principles and established international child protection standards (especially UNCRC)
• Experience using the INEE Minimum Standards
• Experience with participatory approaches to education, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area. Experience in the country of potential assignment is an asset.
• Experience with teacher training, non-formal education. Experience with peace education and conflict resolution, desired.
• University degree in Education or related field with good knowledge of Protection Principles and Emergency Response



Timeline & Start Date:
ASAP



Application Procedure:
Interested candidates should send a Cover Letter and CV to Sweta Shah, Global Education in Emergencies Specialist, sweta.shah@plan-international.org