Education Project Manager (EPM)

Organizational Context

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental Organization registered in the Vatican, with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate for forcibly displaced people that they may heal, learn and determine their own future. JRS programmes are currently found in over 58 countries, serving refugees, other forcibly displaced persons and members of the host communities. The main programmes provided are in the field of Education, Livelihoods, Reconciliation, Advocacy and Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support. JRS facilitates involvement of individuals and communities and promotes regional and global cooperation and networking on behalf of refugees and the forcibly displaced. JRS works cooperatively with other organisations and agencies in order to achieve its mission. It seeks work in situations where no one else is working, where it can bring a particular expertise to bear, where its presence will attract others, where it can build its work on an existing network and where its presence can send a larger message to decision makers and others.

Key Purpose

To manage the Education project in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi. The Education Project Manager is responsible and accountable for education project staff, programs, and facilities.

Relationships

The Education Project Manager works as part of the JRS Malawi team and reports directly to the Programmes Manager and receives technical support from the Regional and International Office education personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Provide technical assistance on a range of education projects including but not limited to: Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education and Education for Children with Special Needs.
• Supervise and mentor Education project staff including but not limited to Schools Coordinator, Head teachers and deputy Head teachers.
• Oversee the overall management of the schools in line with the project proposals.
• Support the school heads in ensuring that interventions are relevant and appropriate and that quality standards are maintained across the schools.
• Ensure that project activities are monitored on a continuous basis whereby corrective actions (clear recommendations based on monitoring outcomes) are taken according to set time and standards.
• Prepare and submit annual project proposals; monthly; quarterly; yearly and any other reports as deemed necessary within a time frame agreed by the organization and donors.
• Undertake needs assessments and design new interventions as appropriate in collaboration with the School Heads and Programmes Manager.
• Work with Programmes Manager to develop and design concept notes/project proposals on continuous basis when and as required.
• Ensure that the project is implemented in a consultative, participative and gender sensitive way.
• Maintain strong communication with School Heads, School Management Committee and Parent Teacher Associations of each school.
• Attend relevant school meetings and provide minutes to the Programmes Manager.
• Ensure application of all JRS policies and procedures including Codes of Conduct

Staff Management

• Ensure that all education staff and volunteers adhere to JRS organizational policies (i.e. Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy etc.).
• Ensure sufficient, qualified and appropriate staff and volunteers are in place to support and implement education projects.
• Assist in recruitment, placement and management of personnel and volunteers associated with education projects.
• Support staff to identify areas for development and jointly plan capacity building opportunities. i.e. teacher training, curriculum development etc.
• Continuously support the professional development of education staff and volunteers by providing clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities.
• Appraise performance of personnel under his or her supervision and oversee that all staff in the project are appraised respectively.
• Ensure performance objectives are produced, worked towards and achieved.
• Convene periodic meetings with education staff to ensure common understanding of progress against indicators and update on current policies and developments in education.

Finance & Budgeting

• Responsible as the primary budget holder for education project.
• Verifying requisitions and ensures they are in accordance with the approved budget and project objectives then providing authorization if all is in order.
• In collaboration with the Finance Department, review and analyze expenditure reports (on a monthly basis) and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of budgets so as to ensure 100% of budget lines are spent by end of project.
• Account for JRS assets and interests and safeguard from loss arising from fraud, waste, weak administration and poor value for money.

Representation of JRS

• To liaise with the Local Government, Implementing Partners and UNHCR at field level.
• To represent JRS at meetings of NGO’s, UN and Government as requested by the Country Director.
• Work with UNHCR, Plan-Malawi, MoH, MoHS, CARD, WHH and other implementing partners as necessary to advocate for refugees in cases of human rights violations and/or protection issues and concerns.
• Represent JRS Malawi program in a highly professional and dignified manner.
• Any other duties that may be delegated by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least a degree in Education, Social Sciences or related field
• Experience in ECD, Primary and Secondary education
• At least four (4) years of experience working in education sector

Required Skills and competencies

• Experience in project planning, reporting and budgeting
• Excellent written and verbal English is an advantage
• Demonstrated work experience in a multicultural work environment with social justice and serving vulnerable populations. Preferably, has experience in refugee setting.
• Experience of working in a developing country is an added advantage
• Flexible and lateral thinker with proactive problem solving skills
• Creative thinker with ability to design highly innovative education and community engagement programs
• Demonstrable experience of, and capacity for, working collaboratively as part of a team and team building skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).

Required Core values

• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;