Early Childhood Development Manager

Job Overview/Summary:

IRC’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Manager will be based in Al-Hasakeh-NE Syria.  Reporting to the Integrated ECD Coordinator-WoS, the ECD Manager for Northeast Syria will lead the ECD program implementation in NE Syria through collaboration with relevant IRC sectors teams, managing and overseeing the activities associated with supporting, adapting and expanding the provision of ECD programing in NE Syria, especially through adapting the ECD integrated approaches within other sectors including Health, protection, ERD and other. The ECD Manager will also support the ECD Coordinator in internal and external representation activities, communication and knowledge management initiatives, as well as donor reporting, and program development opportunities as required. On collaboration with other IRC sectors and departments, the ECD Manager for Northeast Syria will lead on ECD projects design, planning, overseeing implementation quality, indicators reporting, and action planning and management of IRC’s ECD programing inside NE Syria through IRC and Partners to ensure timely, effective and high-quality support on the different program activities.  The Early Childhood Development Manager is responsible for four key objectives:

Program Quality and Implementation: lead and support the effective execution of ECD activities in collaboration with relevant team members (especially Protection and Health) and partners.

Technical Support: provide technical support in relation to the integration, adaptation and development of ECD materials and resources that are center and home based. Assess the capacity gaps, establish and execute innovative plans to strengthening the capacity of IRC staff in relevant sectors and implementing partners’ organizations.

Grants Management: Ensure effective grant and budget management and contribute to new proposal and concept notes.

Coordination and Partnership: Build strong coordination mechanisms with IRC protection and Health sectors and support collaborative relationships with Syrian organizations to adapt, plan and implement ECD-related activities.

Responsibilities:

 Program Design, Planning, Implementation and Quality:

• Work with regional team and IRC program teams (Protection and Health) to provide technical support in integrating ECD in relevant IRC programming in Northeast Syria directly and through partners.
• Support program design including the development of project narratives and budget, and development of qualitative and quantitative reporting from inside Syria.
• Support the preparation of integrated ECD work plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, in line with programmatic vision and strategies;
• Close monitoring of implementation Quality of ECD activities, progress on achieving program’s indicators; and taking corrective actions whenever needed in collaboration with relevant team members.

• Work closely with MEAL unit and Reporting &IM Officer to ensure reporting on program indicators, implementation of MEAL tools, and provide technical support to MEAL staff in the field related to working with Children specifically.
• Enhance client responsiveness among ECD program and IRC FARM implementation in coordination with Accountability Manager. This also requires following up on JIRA system, responding to suggestions and complaints on a timely manner.
• Ensure feedback from the field are reflected in ECD activities in order to respond to changing realities and needs of the field.
• Meet regularly with implementation teams (IRC and Partners) to follow up on targets achievement, implementation modalities and address implementation challenges on a timely manner.
• Regularly update implementation work plans for different teams in coordination with other sectors.
• Ensure the provision of Quality ECD services through the ECD standalone center in NE Syria.
• Follow up on referrals among implementation teams (IRC and Partners) within different implementation sites and programs to ensure comprehensive approach for service delivery.
• Report on implementation on regular monthly, quarterly, and biannual basis reflecting on achievements, challenges, and next steps.
• Develop and regularly update activity implementation, spending and procurement plans and budgets for new and existing ECD programs. Plan and monitor the procurement/distribution of new materials for all ECD activities as per work plans and as required by ECD Coordinator and donors.

• Logistical arrangement to address program, staff needs and quality programing.

• Work closely with IRC regional Communication team to reflect on program successes and develop beneficiaries testimonials based on implementation within different teams.

Technical Support:

• Build the capacity of relevant IRC staff and partner organizations on an integrated ECD service and ensure the roll out of ECD training for staff.
• In coordination with the ECD TU and the MEAL team, oversee the maintenance of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for ECD, including quality control and reporting systems;
• Contribute to program Monitoring tools in terms of technical content and convenience to NE Syria implementation modalities.
• Adopt innovative methods in building the technical capacity of IRC staff and partner organizations using remote management techniques. Including ECD technical training sessions and coaching.
• Work closely with the ECD Coordinator and ECD TU to provide clear technical support, supervision, training and mentoring to the ECD team, including training needed to build specialized skills;
• Ensure that ECD staff and services are inclusive and adhere to best practice, professional standards and principles;
• Actively review relevant ECD materials, provide technical input and create plan for adaptation and integration that is consistent with relevant programs.
• Provide technical supervision to implementation teams through conducting technical coaching sessions to ECD service providers on regular basis (IRC and Partners) within different sectors (Education, Health, Protection).
• Identify Capacity building Gaps and staff needs then tailor Capacity strengthening sessions as needed in coordination with different sectors and the regional technical unit.
• Revise and develop ECD content taking into consideration localization and contextualization of materials to NE Syria to adequately address the needs of the local community.
• Explore new areas of programming in Northeast Syria to ensure that clients wellbeing are addressed and boys’ and girls’  literacy, Numeracy and social-emotional skills are improved in both their homes and communities and receive through direct or partner implementation.

Grants management and business development:

• Support the ECD Coordinator in Working closely with the Grants section and relevant sectors to complete grant management documents, deliverables, and budget compliance within donor guidelines;
• Support the ECD Coordinator in identify gaps in existing integrated ECD programming and work with the team to develop innovative approaches and mechanisms to address them;
• Work closely with the ECD Coordinator in the design and development of new and potential funding opportunities for ECD programming;
• Support the ECD Coordinator in producing donor reports and other materials as required;
• Ensure effective Budget management and appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals in collaboration with relevant team members.
• Represent ECD NE Syria in meetings as relevant and in coordination with ECD team.
• Contribute to any business development required for ECD program, including drafting concept notes, proposals as required by the ECD  Coordinator

Coordination and Partnership:

• Support the development of strategic partnerships with local implementing partners in NE Syria to facilitate effective adoption and implementation of an integrated ECD activities and scaling up.
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including in particular local implementing partners, and other relevant actors in coordination with the ECD Coordinator.
• Work with Partnership colleagues to come up with strategies for integration of ECD activities and Ahlan Simsim content across a range of partner programs;
• Coordinate with different stakeholders for program advocacy and scaling.
• Contribute to materials content development that promote ECD in humanitarian settings in coordination with ECD program leads and other programs. 

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
• 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.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing and/or technically supporting early childhood development, education or child protection programs.
• Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Education, Psychology, Human Development, Social Work, or any related subject. 

• Solid demonstrated experience in planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
• 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 management skills to others.

• Demonstrated experience with capacity building and training of internal and external teams

• Demonstrated track record in working with teams, showing high performance in a multi-cultural environment, demonstrating flexibility, and ability to handle pressure;

• Excellent Computer skills: MS Word, Excel.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

1. A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
2. 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:

• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and speaking) is a must. 

•  Frequent travels to field sites in NES as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings as needed.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Early Childhood Development Coordinator-Whole of Syria

Position directly supervises: ECD Officer-NE Syria

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): NA

Key Internal Contacts: Field director, Field manager, Health Manager, partnerships manager, Protection Manager, CP Officer, PSS CP Officer, WPE PSS Officers.

Key External Contacts:  Relevant governmental entities, local NGOs and INGOs, UN agencies, local ECD 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.