EECD Coordinator

Job Overview:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. In response to the influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon in mid-2012, IRC opened a country office and launched humanitarian assistance programming. IRC operates throughout Lebanon, with the main office in Beirut and field offices in Deir Dalloum and Zahle. IRC’s programs assist Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in host communities across multiple sectors: education and early childhood development, livelihoods, and protection in close coordination with the Lebanese Government and broader humanitarian and development community.

The IRC’s Education and Early Childhood Development program has provided support to Syrian and Lebanese communities through inclusive access to early learning opportunities, formal and non-formal quality education, and caregivers’ engagement, through inter-sector and innovative approaches reaching thousands of children and caregivers across the country.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs, the EECD (Education and Early Childhood Development) Coordinator will serve as the program lead for Education and Early Childhood Development lead in Lebanon and provide quality technical direction and leadership for EECD programming, representation, advocacy, and scaling, in addition to staff management and business and strategy development for EECD.

Major Responsibilities:  

1. Program Oversight and Implementation:

•  Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of EECD programs to ensure quality, inclusivity and alignment with IRC’s standards and Lebanon’s national framework and strategies.
•  Supervise the implementation of IRC and partner Education and ECD programming, including oversight of program operations, leading coordination with different stakeholders, providing technical support, budget planning, ensuring integration with other sectors when needed.
• Ensure program targets and quality standards are met and in line with national standards for early childhood development, and IRC’s Education and ECD outcome indicators.
• Liaise with Education and ECD Technical Advisors regularly for timely technical input, guidance, innovation and alignment with global best practices.
• Oversee EECD portfolio’s operational and financial compliance, including appropriate and timely expenditure tracking, procurement planning, donor reporting and indicator performance.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC cross-functional units (Supply Chain, Finance, MEAL, Partnerships and Grants) to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in grant cycle meetings (opening, review and closing) and procurement bid committees as needed.

2. Representation, Advocacy, Partnerships and Scaling:

•  Establish and strengthen productive relationships with Education and ECD-focused organizations and networks, technical experts, government agencies and donors within Lebanon that support advocacy, scaling and sustainability objectives.
•  As the Education and ECD focal point at country level, participate actively in external coordination forums including national EECD technical groups and sector working groups; participate in internal coordination and management meetings to promote effective and efficient information sharing, problem-solving and decision making.
• Work in close collaboration with the Partnerships teams to develop a holistic and collaborative approach to strategic and operational partners that can best leverage EECD programs, improve the quality and reach of IRC programs.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to ensure quality implementation of EECD approaches through partners.
• Establish and maintain solid relationships with EECD stakeholders, networks and government agencies that support the IRC’s scaling and sustainability objectives.
• Work closely and coordinate with line ministries to influence national Education and ECD strategies and initiatives, to ensure greater investments in Education and ECD and greater access to Education and ECD services in Lebanon.
• Upon request by the Senior Management Team, support organizing and facilitating field visits for partners, donors and others interested in IRC’s EECD programming in Lebanon to demonstrate program impact and visibility.

3. Staff Management and Development:

• Drive strategic change management as former Education and Early Childhood Development teams are consolidated, to ensure optimized structure, workflows, and resource utilization of the EECD team, as well as to ensure the program remains responsive, efficient, and aligned with evolving strategic priorities and funding landscapes.
• Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance.
• Develop and implement a staff capacity building plan to ensure quality EECD programming across programming teams and other IRC programming; Actively seek out and promote formal and informal training for all staff in the team.
• Promote a positive and supportive working environment that prioritizes staff well-being, inclusion and work-life balance.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, set clear job expectations and objectives for staff, provide constructive feedback and manage mid-year and annual staff performance management system, in a timely and fair manner.
  

4. Program Strategy and Business Development:

• Contribute to the implementation of the Lebanon Strategic Action Plan by ensuring that program activities align and contribute to achieving selected pathways and outcomes.
• Lead the design and development of new business concept notes and proposals for the continuation and expansion of EECD programming in Lebanon.
• Ensure all new business development efforts are participatory and informed by evidence-based data, field learning, and local stakeholders feedback.