The purpose of the role is to lead day to day engagement on country programmes across five to six geographies; be the focal point for all communication between ECW and the in-country partners, including in ensuring that grantees respond to contractual obligations and reporting; facilitate multi-disciplinary engagement across the Secretariat and draw on technical expertise; lead on policy engagement and in-country representation and dialogue to deepen engagement and provide consistent messaging and direction; oversee MYRP delivery and be the primary point of contact for MYRP implementation issues to enable ECW to have a stronger role in the implementation of programmes; and share learning across regions and portfolios.
It is intended that the role will help to deepen ECW’s understanding of contextual issues and strengthen support and oversight of implementation of ECW grants, in particular on technical issues and risk and safeguarding and enable more portfolio level management of grants and connections between country contexts on common issues.
The programme Manager is expected to:
Lead day to day engagement on country programmes across five to six geographies:
Support to and oversight of MYRPs in up to six countries, involving day to day engagement with relevant grantees and stakeholders, including government, donors and humanitarian and development actors
Leading and facilitating set up and design of programmes, monitoring implementation and performance, providing guidance in budget revisions and reprogramming decisions, and ensuring reports are submitted, reviewed and approved, liaising with relevant ECW Secretariat teams.
Focal point for identifying and supporting capacity development activities (particularly in ECW’s thematic areas such as gender, disability inclusion, and mental health and psychosocial support), following up on required assessments, such as risk assessments, and facilitating grants management decisions.
Facilitate multi-disciplinary engagement across the Secretariat and draw on technical expertise:
Work flexibly and dynamically to provide clear strategic and technical direction
Set clear priorities on a regular basis, and ensure consensus at ECW Secretariat and country level
Draw on expertise from ECW’s technical specialists, finance, and operations teams. This will include serving as the interface between these individuals and in-country partners to provide coordinated and consistent direction, and
Review and approve annual and final reports (narrative, financial and results).
Facilitate grant-related request processes (costed and no-cost extensions, reprogramming requests)
Work collaboratively and dynamically across the ECW Secretariat, including with other Country Managers and ECW’s technical experts to ensure that programmes are drawing on latest evidence of teaching and learning and protection to deliver the best quality outcomes for children in a safe environment
Lead on policy engagement and in-country representation and dialogue to deepen engagement, and provide consistent messaging and direction:
Stay abreast of humanitarian trends and developments globally and in country, drawing on appropriate situation analysis where available and ensure delivery is aligned to changing contexts
Keep up to date on latest evidence and implement best practices in education in emergencies. Share best practices and knowledge learned.
Support engagement with partners including. Global Partnership for Education and Education Coordination Mechanisms (e.g. Clusters, Sector, Refugee Education Working Groups, etc.) to ensure ECW investments are coherent in the wider delivery context and continue to add value
Work closely and collaboratively with internal ECW Secretariat, Education Coordination Mechanism coordinators and partners to problem solve and determine priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results for children affected by emergencies.
Strengthen engagement with local NGOs to increase their representation in dialogue
Oversee MYRP delivery and be the primary point of contact for MYRP implementation issues to enable ECW to have a stronger role in the implementation of programmes
Actively monitor programmes e.g., through field visits and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues.
Coordinate Annual Performance Assessments and decision making around continuation of investments and new investments.
Handle multiple issues and manage a complex workload. Make judgement calls about priorities and engage proportionately across contexts.
Share learning across regions and portfolios
Identify opportunities to learn and apply lessons across ECW programmes and between country contexts. Work with internal and external partners to influence thinking and action on education in emergencies.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree in education, economics international development, or another relevant technical field, ideally with modules completed on education in emergencies
At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in fragile and crises contexts
Previous experience of overseeing large and complex programmes in challenging contexts
Proven ability to build effective relationships, deliver difficult messages, collaborate, matrix working and working through others to achieve results
Proven ability to lead and provide clear strategic direction and take decisive action
Proven experience of managing risk (fiduciary, safeguarding), demonstrating resilience, problem solving and adaptive programming in emergency or crisis situations.
Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing in English and French to engage and represent ECW and to maintain partnerships with stakeholders.
Experience working in a developing country in emergency context is considered as an asset.
Fluency in French and English is required. Additional fluency in other UN languages considered an asset.
