The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview/Summary: The Senior ECD Manager’s main responsibilities are to provide guidance and leadership to the IRC Jordan ECD program, including in positioning IRC’s ECD activities along the humanitarian-development nexus. The Senior ECD Manager will serve as the program lead for IRC Jordan and provide technical direction and leadership for the creation, implementation and scaling of high-quality ECD programming and service delivery. The Sr. ECD Manager will work closely with the ECD/Education Technical Unit and Regional Ahlan Simsim teams and other sectors to effectively harmonize and integrate ECD programming across the different sub-sectors of IRC for a holistic and high-quality response.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management, Technical Quality and Strategy

·         Lead the overall strategic direction, leadership, and management of all ECD programs within the IRC Jordan Country Program in line with the country strategic action plan and regional Ahlan Simsim program strategy

Lead on ECD sector components of the Strategy Action Plan in Jordan, along with the Implementation Plan and key Strategic Objectives identified in Jordan (Client Responsiveness, Partnerships, Outcomes & Evidence) Actively support the ECD team member(s) in the development, implementation, and monitoring of ECD interventions With guidance from the ECD Technical Unit (TU) and Regional Ahlan Simsim (AS) team, develop country-specific programmatic standards for child-facing and caregiver-facing programming; Ensure that content and program models are aligned with local or national standards for early childhood development and early childhood education; Develop and/or improve monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the ECD programs, ensuring that they adhere to international and national standards Work collaboratively to leverage the integration approach with other program sectors where appropriate, including Economic Recovery and Development, Health and Women’s Protection and Empowerment programming.

 

Program Development, Grants Management and Reporting

Co-lead the strategy development of IRC ECD programming, as needs are identified and funding opportunities arise.

·         Ensure program design follows client and partner-centered approach through thorough assessments and engagement with local and national partners and systems.

·         Develop and coordinate proposals and budgets for program initiatives in collaboration with other projects and sectors, as relevant.

·         Conduct needs assessments, desk reviews, or other studies as needed.

Develop budgets for program proposals in conjunction with the ECD TU, the Regional AS team, ECD team members, grants, and finance departments, along with budget and project modification activities. Review, monitor and ensure high-quality, detailed program spending and work plans for the ECD program. Ensure the Project Cycle Meetings are prepared and that action points are followed up in a timely manner. Provide oversight on Budget vs. Actual reports and bring any over/under expenditure issues to the attention of the Regional AS team, SMT, Grants and Finance teams along with proposed corrective actions. Ensure the submission of timely, accurate and well written donor reports and other reporting requirements. 

Partnerships, Coordination and Advocacy

·         Lead the maintenance of existing and the development of new strategic relationships with key formal system actors, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Affairs, and other relevant institutions and stakeholders in Jordan.

·         Represent IRC’s ECD program with government bodies, civil society, the private sector, donors, and academic stakeholders as needed.

·         Cultivate strong relationships with potential implementing partners, donors, embassies, and key multilateral stakeholders to enhance IRC’s visibility as the ECD partner of choice in Jordan.

·         Continue active participation in various coordination forums, including the Childhood National Team, Education Working Group, ECD Working Group, Moving Minds Alliance (MMA), and other relevant platforms

·         Provide strategic direction in the design and implementation of scaling and capacity strengthening initiatives with lines ministries and partners, ensuring that ECD solutions are in line with national strategies, aiming at institutionalization and sustainability.

·         Organize the work with IRC Partners and contracted facilities to deliver the needed services according to IRC and donors’ policies and agreements.

·         Ensures that all policies, procedures, and practices follow the local authority's IRC, donor, and national requirements.

 

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

·         Recruit, supervise, and build the capacity of ECD team member(s) in relevant technical and management competencies.

·         Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.

·         Identify training needs of ECD staff and develop formal/informal training interventions or identify appropriate external training that will enhance clinical, public health, management, and reporting skills.

·         Approve and manage attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.

·         As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies

·         Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

·         Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

·         Position directly supervises: Senior ECD Officer

·         Indirect Reporting: Regional Ahlan Simsim Project Lead

·         Other Internal: IRC Technical Advisors and ECD/Education leads, supply chain department, Finance department, Other Program Coordinators, Program Managers, and M&E Sr Manager, Partnership Coordinator, Grants Coordinator

·         Other External: Relevant other stakeholders, e.g. UN bodies, local and national authorities.

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Minimum Qualifications:Masters level qualification in Social Sciences, Education, Psychology, Human Development, Social Work, or related subject. ·         Minimum of five years professional experience managing (designing and implementing) ECD/Education programs including in humanitarian and development contexts. ·         Demonstrated successful experience in capacity building, project design and program coordination. ·         Demonstrable experience working with local partners in the delivery of ECD programs, as well as working with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Protection and other actors on system support and system strengthening initiatives. ·         Strong writing and analytical skills, including M&E and assessment data framework for use in program decision-making and advocacy. ·         Competence in Windows, MS office programs, emails and other relevant software ·         Fluent in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

·         Promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace. ·         Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and manage human resources.·         Demonstrated strong interpersonal and intercultural communication with success working both within a team and independently. ·         Excellent organizational and time management skills with ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Working Environment: This post will be based in Amman Office

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.