Cluster/Sector Coordination - Education

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Lebanon Education sector was established as a response to the Syria crisis and with a primary mandate of coordination activities within the now unified response plan (LRP). Currently, Lebanon is undergoing one of its deepest economic and political crises that is threatening the social fabric of the country and putting the education sector at the brink of collapse. The escalation of conflict at the Southern border has further complicated a multi-layered crisis, with localized school closures and increasing displacements. Chaired by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) and co-led by UNICEF and Save the Children, the Education Sector establishes a system for leadership and accountability of the Education in Emergencies (EiE) response, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the various stakeholders. The Sector provides a framework for effective partnership between the MEHE, international and national humanitarian actors, civil society organizations and affected populations.

The Education Sector Coordinators need to ensure a coherent and effective response to the changing education needs by coordinating agencies engaging in Education interventions by working closely with the education stakeholders (children, families, communities, authorities, education institutions and INGOs and UN agencies) to provide an effective, timely and strategic collective response to the education crisis in Lebanon. 

The Education Sector Coordinator will work impartially, representing all members of the Education Sector and should work closely with UNICEF as Education Sector co-lead and UN OCHA through the Emergency Operation Cell and with MEHE.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Programme Development and Quality Director

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Sector Coordination

• Assume overall responsibility for co-leadership of the education sector in Lebanon, ensuring the Sector is fulfilling the Core Functions of an EiE Sector (support service delivery, inform strategic decisions of Humanitarian Coordinator and Team, plan and develop strategy, support advocacy, monitor and evaluate performance of the Sector overall, build national capacity in contingency and preparedness). 
• Ensure that the NGO/INGO voice is heard and present in sector meetings in addition to relevant MEHE stakeholders and donor meetings liaising closely with NGO fora such as LHIF and LHDF
• Co-chair the coordination groups and task teams within the Education Sector, including the National Education Sector Working Group, the Education Core Group, as well as oversee and/or co-chair a selection of the Task Teams that report to the Core Group. 
• Work closely with other key members of the Education sector in Lebanon, including government counterparts, donors, school officials, OCHA, UNICEF and all other sector members.
• Support the Information Management focal person in ensuring robust strategic analysis of key data from various sources (including MEHE, VaSyr, MSNA, etc.), in order to better inform strategy and support evidence-based advocacy. 
• Keep abreast of Education partners´ response activities and identify any gaps by supporting the Information Management ensuring that the Education Sector dashboard is regularly updated
• Facilitate the development of an overall sector strategy and response plan (LRP) and to the extent possible, ensure the strategy complements government policies and plans.
• Ensure that the sector strategy and response plan is updated regularly according to evolving needs and that it establishes indicators by which performance of the sector can be measured
• Advise the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund strategy and allocation process, including through engagement in the selection committee, and in an advisory role during implementation.
• Co-ordinate the harmonization of response activities, ensuring that activities prevent overlap and duplication; develop harmonized standards and guidance when possible
• Ensure the development and implementation of a  localization strategy for the Education Sector, including through supporting leadership of local organizations within the Education Sector
• Lead early warning, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness efforts for the sector; ensure adequate sector participation in cross-sector early warning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness activities.
• Ensure that interagency response strategy for Education reflects key findings from needs assessments identifying gaps, and formulating a sector-wide interagency response plan, taking into account the crosscutting areas from other sectors or clusters 
• Ensure that information is shared amongst sector members, and that information from other sectors is made available to sector members in order to improve planning, integration and implementation.
• Ensure clear and effective communication occurs between the field and the national sector.
• Contribute to regular ISCG sitreps, and take an active part in ISCG co-ordination meetings.
• Ensure education is explicitly included and prioritized in all multi-sector assessments and reports, including ISCG Sitreps.
• Track and monitor sector members fundraising for Education specific interventions, and ensure that members are aware of funding opportunities

Develop and maintain collaborative relationships

• Display neutrality and act as the representative of all education sector members.
• Actively engage in various stakeholder groups related to education, including LHIF, LHDF, and the Education Donor Working Group. 
• Support the MEHE Education Sector Coordinator (within the DG’s office) to engage with Education Sector partners to improve coordination and harmonization of partners in line with MEHE/Sector strategies.
• Develops strategies for teams to work across traditional boundaries, working in diverse environments
• Establishes clear objectives with teams and individuals and monitors progress and performance
• Fosters collaborative, transparent and accountable relationships through wide diversity of partners
• Uses negotiation and conflict resolution skills to support positive outcomes for the Education Sector as a whole
• Develop and maintain a strong and positive relationship with the DG of Basic Education’s office and UNICEF, Education Sector co-leads
• Develop and maintain a strong and positive relationship with sector partners

Capacity Building

• Undertake capacity mapping and gap identification exercises to develop a capacity-development strategy for the sector.
• Identify the training needs of sector partners and advocate to lead-agencies, donors or other stakeholders to meet these needs.

Advocacy

• Together with sector partners, identify core advocacy concerns for the sector and contribute key messages to the broader advocacy initiatives of the Inter-Agency Coordination body and other relevant actors.
• Develop a joint sector/ cross-sector advocacy initiative to raise the profile and needs of the sector among in-country humanitarian donors.
• Encourage all sector partners to include common/sector-wide issues, concerns and messages in their own communication activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Degree in Education, International Relations, Human Rights or Development Studies.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• 3-6 years of progressive experience in networking or coordination within previous functions.
• Demonstrated experience in managing partnerships with NGOs / CSOs and government
• Experience in strategy development and fundraising
• Strong experience in data collection and analysis
• Strong understanding of child rights and governance.
• Excellent time management skills
• Strength in interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Previous experience of liaising with the UN, national and donor governments and NGOs as advantage.
• Computer skills
• Flexibility and willingness to change work practices and hours, and capability to work in insecure environment 
• Available to travel in/out country

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures

Child Safeguarding

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse

Safeguarding our Staff

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures