Syria Education Programme Project Lead

Chemonics UK, in partnership with international and local Syrian organisations, is delivering the FCDO-funded Syria Education Programme II (SEP II) to 2027. SEP II (locally known as Manahel) builds on the original Syria Education Programme (SEP), which supported over 625,000 primary school children (50% girls) to attend school and learn between 2018 and 2023.

SEP II will continue to provide quality education that improves literacy and numeracy outcomes for students through structured pedagogy and engaging school leaders and teachers in continuous professional development. Crucially, SEP II will ensure that children in high-trauma environments are safe, protected, and their mental health and psycho-social needs addressed.

We are now inviting Project Lead applications from senior educationalists interested in working with Chemonics to deliver this exciting, system changing, programme.

Main Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the role.

The SEP Project Lead will supervise all activities related to this programme and have overall responsibility for the successful performance of the team. The SEP Project Lead shall provide strategic leadership and bear primary responsibility for all administrative requirements of the contract, ensuring that the quarterly key performance indicators, objectives and deliverables are met. They will be responsible for ensuring the programme is in compliance with FCDO regulations, the contract, and Chemonics UK policies. The SEP Project Lead will be the official representative of the contractor and be primarily responsible for liaising with high-level FCDO and government officials, and forging alliances with a partners and stakeholders.

Management of Planning, Implementation and Monitoring Activities

• Provide leadership, technical direction, and management oversight for all programme activities and results
• Define, through consensus of staff, client, and stakeholders, the objectives and vision that will guide programme activities
• Ensure that work plans are developed with input from staff, partners and stakeholders and initiate implementation of that work plan
• Monitor, and where necessary, modify programmatic assistance to achieve results
• Ensure that relevant, productive, and complementary activities are implemented effectively
• Work closely with FCDO to ensure consensus regarding programme vision and objectives
• Ensure that FCDO is up-to-date regarding programme implementation and achievement of key performance indicator

Personnel Management

• Supervise the adoption of job descriptions, performance criteria, and scopes of work for all professional and administrative staff on the programmw
• Approve selection and hiring of all local professional and administrative staff on the programme.
• Manage all professional and administrative work performed by staff

Contract and Financial Management

• Oversee and ensure highest quality contract performance in compliance with contract provisions
• Manage contract finances (budget and fund allocations) and ensure accurate financial records are kept

Communications

• Develop and communicate (verbally and in writing) the strategic vision for the programme to staff, FCDO, and all counterparts and stakeholders
• Maintain open, two-way communication with FCDO, the field staff, and Chemonics UK head office.
• Make formal and informal presentations as needed
• Conduct meetings and maintain relationships with the Government officials and other relevant stakeholders
• Maintain two-way communication channels with counterparts so as to build a relationship of trust and cooperation
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required

Person Specification

• Master’s Degree (or higher) in education, public policy, public administration, or a related field
• Relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor or international NGO managing an office or program
• Significant experience as an educator, experience with psycho-social support preferred
• A minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience with experience leading a team
• Experience with applying an evidence-based approach to education and programming
• Experience working in developing countries is required, preferably in a fragile or transitional state environment
• Experience in the hiring and supervising of host country local personnel and ensuring, when need arises, that they secure necessary training required to meet program needs
• Financial management experience, including budgeting; financial management (tracking, reporting and accounting); and procuremet
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with and manage culturally and geographically diverse staff
• Previous experience working in the Middle East and on programs in insecure environments is desirable
• Experience managing complex contracts and agreements, with FCDO experience preferred
• Fluency in Arabic and English is required
• Travel to project site, Gazientep, Turkey, will be required aprox 4-6 weeks over a 12 months period

Apply by: COP Wednesday 30th October 2024

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