Education Cluster Coordinator

The role

The ‘cluster approach’ was adopted by the IASC as a key strategy to address the gaps in humanitarian response. UNICEF and Save the Children (SC) were designated as Co-Leads of the Global Education Cluster. At country level, the aim of the cluster approach is to strengthen humanitarian response by demanding high standards of predictability, accountability and partnership in all sectors or areas of activity, by clarifying the division of labour among organizations and better defining their roles and responsibilities within the different sectors of the response. It aims to make the international humanitarian community better organised and more accountable and professional, so that it can be a better partner for the affected people, host governments, local authorities, local civil society and resourcing partners.

The humanitarian context in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is highly complex, with multiple protracted crises, including cyclical armed and intercommunal conflict and huge numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs), compounded by epidemic outbreaks, natural disasters, and largescale food insecurity. In 2022, over 2 million children need emergency education services, mainly concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika.

On behalf of SC and UNICEF, the Country Lead Agencies for the Education Cluster, and in support of the government, the purpose of this post is to provide leadership to and facilitate processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by Education Cluster humanitarian partners in the DRC. The Education Cluster Coordinator is a core Cluster Coordination team member.

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications

• University degree, preferably at an advanced level, in a subject area relevant to education, international development/ relations/ policies, coordination management;
• Formal training in cluster coordination () is desirable.

Experiences and skills

Essential:

Experience:

• At least 8 years progressively responsible work experience with UN, government and/or NGO, including in humanitarian contexts
• Significant experience in a senior management role/ Cluster coordination in an emergency response/ fragile state, including field operations
• Proven experience in leading strategy development and humanitarian response planning processes that focus on the needs of the hardest to reach and most marginalized children
• Experience applying relevant interagency humanitarian frameworks and standards in education in emergencies (for example INEE Minimum Standards)

Skills:

• Politically and culturally sensitive with excellent interpersonal, communication and diplomatic skills
• Effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence investments and prioritization of the education sector in the humanitarian response
• Solid project management skills related to program development cycle with a proven history of delivering results
• Demonstrable ability to work and represent views across different stakeholders taking part in the Education Cluster
• A high level of written and spoken French and English

Knowledge

• Technical knowledge of EiE concepts, issues, innovations, INEE minimum standards and Global Education Cluster tools to drive strategic-level discussions and inform standards and practices
• Knowledge of the IASC Cluster System and recent humanitarian reform developments, including the Transformative Agenda ad Grand Bargain
• Understanding of the Consolidated Appeals Process and other funding mechanisms
• Knowledge of information management processes within the Cluster system

Other:

• Demonstrated commitment to and the
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in Cluster Coordination roles
• Prior experience working in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or West and Central African Region

Contract length:

12 Months

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.