Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

IRC’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Officer will be based in Hizreh, NorthwestSyria. Under the direct supervision of ECD Manager. The ECD Officer will work closely with ECD team, other sectors, Partnerships unit and MEAL unit in NorthwestSyria. He/She will be responsible for overseeing implementation quality, target controlling, and action planning and management of IRC’s ECD programing in NorthwestSyria through IRC direct implementation teams across the different sectors including health, protection and ERD. Additionally, the ECD Officer will support implementing partners including local organizations and local authorities to provide them with the technical support needed according to partnership agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs). The ECD Officer will ensure timely, effective and high-quality support on the different program activities.

The ECD Officer is responsible for the below mentioned key objectives related to the ECD Program Technical support and Implementation Quality Control:

• Support the effective execution of integrated ecd activities in close collaboration with other sectors such as health, protection and erd as needed to ensure quality of implementation.
• Provide technical and operational support to ECD service providers in relation to the integration, adaptation and development of ECD materials and resources. assess the capacity gaps, establish and execute innovative plans to strengthen the capacity of irc staff in relevant sectors and implementing partners’ organizations.
• Reporting on target achievements and contributing to narrative program reports.
• Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation plans of ECD programs to assess their impact and effectiveness. this includes tracking progress, M&E tools verification, documenting success stories, and using data to inform decision-making and improve program outcomes

Responsibilities:

• Oversee implementation quality and compliance with ECD program guidelines through regular field visits to IRC and Partners across Northwest Syria.
• Lead and support ECD service providers within different sectors in Northwest Syria to ensure the implementation quality through IRC and Partners.
• Collaborate with other Sectors to ensure integration of ECD Programing into their activities and messages.
• Support the preparation of integrated ECD work plans on weekly basis with clear objectives and achievements benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, in line with programmatic vision and strategies.
• Close mentoring of implementation of ECD activities, progress on achieving program’s indicators; and taking corrective actions whenever needed in collaboration with relevant team members.
• Ensuring feedback from the field is reflected in ECD activities in order to respond to changing realities and needs of the field.
• Provide operational support as needed based on procurement plans and budget forecast.
• Represent IRC ECD team in internal and external meetings as assigned by the supervisor.
• Support in planning and implementation of program activities based on criteria and beneficiary needs and status.
• Collecting, preparing, compiling and sorting documents for data entry from different sources, and checking source documents for accuracy and verifying data and correct data where necessary.
• Provide regular reporting based on program timeline including progress reports on targets and budget spending.
• Actively review relevant ECD materials, provide technical inputs and create plans for adaptation and integration that is consistent with relevant programs.
• Raise Item forecasts on INTEGRA following the procurement plan and adjust the plans as needed in agreement with the supervisor.
• Other duties assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop ECD programing in Northwest Syria.

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree preferable to be in Early Childhood Development, Education, Psychology, Human Development, Social Work, or related subject.

Work Experience:

• Approximately 2-4 years of experience in implementing and technically supporting early childhood development and education programing in Northwest Syria.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Prior experience and excellent understanding of working in emergency settings or insecure environments.
• Solid demonstrated experience in planning, reporting, mentoring, controlling the quality of implementation.
  Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training, and transfer of technical knowledge and leadership skills to others.
• Demonstrated track record in working with teams and local organizations/authorities, showing high performance in a multi-cultural environment, demonstrating flexibility, and ability to handle pressure.
• Demonstrated experience with program design, planning, and management.
• Excellent writing and editing skills for reporting
• Experienced user of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and database management software.
• Experience with mobile data collection (such as KOBO, CommCare).

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• Arabic and English are required.
• Travel: 100% to field sites in Northwest Syria. as well as attending relevant workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Early Childhood Development Manager

Position directly supervises: None

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): NA
Key Internal Contacts: ECD Officers, ECD assistants, ECD volunteers, ECD service providers across the different sectors,Field manager**,** Health Managers, Health Admin officers, IP managers,IP Admin Officers, Partnership Managers, Partnership Officers, M&E Sr. Manager, M&E Manager, ERD Sr. Manager, IT sr. Officer, Finance Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Procurement Manager, HR manager.

Key External Contacts: Local implementing and non-implementing partners in Northwest Syria and governmental actors including key stakeholders.

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.

How to Apply:

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/58117?c=rescue&sq=req58117