Education & Child Protection Officer at Edukans Foundation

About Edukans

EDUKANS is an international development and humanitarian agency with its headquarters in the Amersfoort, Netherlands, and Country Offices in Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda as well as operational presence in various countries including Ghana, middle, southeast Asia and Latin America. EDUKANS strongly committed in capacitating & supporting local partners and line government structures to provide marginalized children and young people with quality basic education and vocational skills trainings with innovative and practical tools. EDUKANS with the funding support from UNICEF, has been implementing the project called: ‘Access to an Integrated Resilient Quality Education and Child Protection Services for Emergency-Affected Children in Afar Region’ in six selected targets Woredas, namely, Berhale, Abala, Koneba, Abala Town Administration, Awura and Gulina.

Role Purpose:

The Education & CP Officer is responsible for day to day implementation of project activities of a project which is being implemented in six woredas of Afar region as well as promoting  access to quality and inclusive primary education to fulfil all children’s right to education, based on Edukans’ vision, mission, and values. He/she will be responsible for quality and effective implementation of the project activities at regional, woreda, kebele and school level; provide technical support to government partners, stakeholders and Edukans project staff; organize and facilitate capacity building training workshops, provide technical supports, participate on various assessments including stakeholders mapping, assessments; monitoring. Ensures cost effective budget utilization of the project; keeps close working relationship with networks and strategic partners such as REB, BoWSA, Woreda Education Office, Woreda Women, Youth and Children’s Affair Office and other development partners; monitors project implementation with participation of supervisors, community, PTA, children;  collect weekly reports from facilitators, woreda education focals and Community case workers and compile and share accordingly. Also, documents CP/GVB case management data, education related data and prepares periodic reports regularly.

KEY AREAS oF Accountability

Planning and Reporting

• In close collaboration with woreda stakeholders, prepares quarterly action plan and ensures timely submission to the respective woreda level
• Ensure increased access to safe and inclusive ALP, ASR, O class learning opportunities in project implementation woredas.
• Provides follow-up and technical support for target schools, TLC, CFS, and woreda  offices ensure preparation of timely and quality quarterly project progress reports on the prepared formats as per donor reporting schedule.
• Facilitate and ensure the involvement of children as primary stakeholders in all project works
• Conducts woreda based baseline assessment to identify program effectiveness, in terms of children learning outcome and project indicators.
• Ensure target schools are equipped with the basic and necessary teaching and learning materials, print rich corners and outdoor equipments.
• Ensure and work effectively with key regional and local partners to the sustainability through localization process
• Reports on gaps, challenges observed in the programme operations to the program coordinator or area manager on time for taking action.

Coordination and Management of Projects Implementation

• Follow up the day to day implementation of all components of the project(learning, CP and life skills development) as per the Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs).
• Adheres to Edukans’ compliance procedures and provide guidance and technical support to ALP/ASR facilitators, CCWs, Woreda Education Offices, Woreda Women, Children and Social Affairs offices, School principals supervisors  and others who have contact with children.
• Foster collaborative environment and team spirit among stakeholders and project staffs in order to maintain and strengthen good relationship for better implementation of the project interventions
• Ensure the project is implemented in a ways responsive to the community, and children in line with Edukans principles, values and strategic plan
• Providing technical assistance to MEAL coordinator in the process of project data collections and data management
• Identify gaps and provide technical and capacity building support for stakeholders at local level
• Prepare weekly activity plans with  line staff as necessary and ensure smooth implementation of these plans.
• Set up/strengthen Child Protection Committees, including training and awareness raising on dangers of abduction in their communities and linking children to available services.
• Set up/support and monitor Child Protection Help Desks to identify, support and refer children with protection concerns.
• Monitor and assess the implementation of the program, ensuring that case workers are using the case management forms consistently and correctly.
• In close collaboration with the Program Coordinator, Woreda Offices and other government stakeholders, facilitates on timely and quality implementation of the project activities based on the action plan and resource allocated
• Closely work with stakeholders and communities in the course of project planning and implementation
• Organize with local stakeholders regular monthly and bi-monthly meetings, and monitoring visits, at the project sites and prepare proper minutes and reports for documentation and follow-up actions
• Ensure active participation of children and other stakeholders in the project activities implementation
• Carry out any other relevant task assigned by the line manager and project team.

Supervision and Monitoring

• In close collaboration with the program Coordinator and government stakeholders, maintain strong supervision and monitoring system to measure achievement and progress toward the project objectives and expected outcomes and manage the performance of intervention areas
• Conducts monitoring and supervision of the planned project activities and provides technical support to Woreda Office and intervention schools  to improve quality of delivery
• Strengthens participatory and collaborative supervision and monitoring of project activities, including active participation of children
• Document and share key lessons, case stories and program achievements for shared learning
• Report project work progress information to Program Coordinator after completion of each monitoring & evaluation process.

Staff Management and Mentorship

• Ensure that project staffs such as ALP facilitators. ASR facilitators Community Case Workers and stakeholders, understand and are able to perform their role based on the project objectives and expected outcomes
• In close collaboration with the Program Coordinator, provides  clear directions and guidance to intervention schools and teachers, as appropriate;
• In collaboration with the Project staff and government stakeholders staff, identify gaps and facilitate capacity building training and other support for government stakeholders and the community and other stakeholders
• Arrange experience sharing sessions among beneficiaries and other stakeholders

Location: Afar, Semera, with frequent travel to target woredas

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: Community Case Workers and ALP/ASR facilitators

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• A minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in NGO environment, preferably with experience in an integrated education & child protection programme.
• University degree in Education, psychology social work, or related fields.
• Good English oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of Afar aff language is desirable.
• Experience in community facilitation and mobilisation
• Good understanding of community politics and traditional networks in program location..
• Excellent technical understanding of the ALP, child protection and community based approaches.
• Good computer knowledge and skills & able to prioritise tasks
• Flexibility and ability to work independently and in a team
• Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure & operate in harsh living/working environment
• Gender awareness and sensitivity
• Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply