Back Education Project Officer

Trócaire is one of Ireland’s top International NGOs, having over 45 years’ of experience in international Development. Trócaire Implements programmes directly and through local partners in the Gedo region of Somalia

Trócaire has been working in Gedo in health, nutrition and education for the last 27 years. Currently Trócaire implements Health, Nutrition, Protection, WASH and Education Programme activities. Trocaire places great emphasis on empowering local communities and partners so that control and agency lies with those with whom we work.

The programme is now recruiting an Education Project Officer who will work with the Education team in Gedo to support the implementation of the education component of the programme as per the needs of the community and donors.

Reporting to the Education Coordinator this is a fixed term for one year and is based in Gedo region of Somalia.

The successful applicant will be expected to sign up to and adhere to Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policy.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Programme

• Support day to day oversight of education projects which includes accompanying Community Education Committees, supporting partners’ planning and coordination.
• Support and monitor the activities of the local partners according to the defined proposal and the work plan as well as the project impact
• Report regularly to the Education Coordinator on project activities, identifying progress, problem areas, and potential solutions.
• Identify programme operational needs for education projects for the management to take lead in proposing course of action. Work with other program staff to remedy issues and track individual program actions.
• Support Community Education Committees (CECs) and teachers in the planning, implementation and monitoring of their school projects
• Support the Education Coordinator in representation at key education meetings and education cluster meetings in the Gedo region.
• Act as a contact point for the Education Coordinator on all education operational and project issues and ensure that concerns are addressed while adopting to organization’s procedures.
• Support the Education Coordinator in the supervision of the education projects including monthly reporting of its deliverables providing regular reports against the projects work plans.
• With support from Trocaire’s Education & Protection Coordinators and MEAL Coordinator, provide ongoing technical assistance to education programme to ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with accepted international standards, including those for protection, and accountability.

Capacity Building

As a part of this position the project officer will take a prominent role in organizing and facilitating capacity building initiatives for Community Education Committees (CECs), teachers, parents and other education stakeholders including on:

• Psycho-social support training.
• School safety audits.
• Community-based child protection and positive parenting.
• Outreach activities to raise awareness on child protection services.
• Teachers training on pedagogy.

Networking

• Support local CECs in ensuring that local authorities are kept informed of Trócaire supported Programmes.
• Accompany visitors (Trócaire or external) to the project areas and carry out local promotional work as required.
• Perform other duties as required by the line manager that are consistent of the level of this function.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

• Bachelors degree in education.
• Development studies/project management is an added advantage.

(E) Experience

• At least 4 years of experience in Education and Protection Integration work.
• Experience working with local authorities, communities committees and partners.

(E) Skills

• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen; flexible and adaptable to work in unstable environments and under pressure with limited support.
• Strong writing and excellent communication skills in Somali.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Office).

(E) Qualities

• Ability to support and build local capacity.
• Good understanding and experience of Project /Programme management cycle, and participatory appraisal techniques.
• Knowledge and experience of working on education in emergency and/or education programmes is desirable.

(E) Other

• Being a resident of Gedo would be an added advantage.