Democratic Republic of the Congo: Education Cluster Coordinator DRC

The Opportunity

The cluster approach ensures clear leadership, predictability and accountability in international responses to humanitarian emergencies 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.

On behalf of Save the Children 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 and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by participants in the Education Cluster in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The post holder has joint responsibility with the Cluster Lead Agency, resourcing partners and all cluster participants at the national and sub-national level for the efficient management and functioning of the Education Cluster encompassing the following:

• Establish and maintain an appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanism
• Strengthen pre-existing sectoral coordination through increased predictability and accountability
• Build complementarity of partner actions: avoiding duplication and gaps
• Ensure adequate resources are mobilized and are equitably allocated for the effective functioning of the cluster and its response
• Effective and comprehensive integration of relevant cross-cutting issues, including age, gender, environment and HIV/AIDS
• Maintain flexibility within the cluster to respond to changes in the operating environment, evolving requirements, capacities and participation
• Effectively use and transfer information to, from and between cluster participants and other stakeholders
• Interact with other clusters (including through inter-cluster coordination fora), humanitarian actors, government counterparts, and relevant authorities for operational planning, engagement and active contribution of operational partners
• Be accountable to the affected population through effective and inclusive consultative and feedback mechanisms.
• Monitor performance of the core cluster functions
• Ensure effective communication, reporting, engagement and coordination between national and sub-national clusters

The post holder is accountable to:

• The Save the Children Country Director and the UNICEF Education Cluster representative, who will in turn ensure that the post holder is provided with all necessary support and guidance, and that any issues that arise relating to "double-hatting" are addressed. Education Cluster participants, who will in turn ensure that they deliver on their agreed minimum commitments (see IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at the Country Level, November 2012)
• Education Cluster coordination team members, who will in turn support the post holder in line with their terms of reference
• Inter-cluster coordination bodies established by the HCT/UNOCHA
• Affected populations through agreed mechanisms
• Accountability to the country representative/cluster coordinator, cluster participants, coordination team members and inter-cluster coordination bodies will be expressed in regular review meetings.

In order to be successful you will have:

• At least 3 years' experience working with UN and/or NGO, including programme management and/or coordination in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the cluster. Extensive work experience outside the humanitarian sector which is relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for humanitarian experience.
• University degree, preferably at an advanced level, in a subject relevant area such as Education, Humanitarian, International Development.
• Communicates, works and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required
• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda.
• Understands, uses and adapts the tools, mechanisms and processes developed as part of Humanitarian Reform
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles
• Demonstrates commitment to Principles of Partnership
• Prior experience developing EiE intervention strategies
• Experience in designing and leading capacity building interventions for partners on EiE
• Experience of representation and ability to represent the Education Cluster effectively in external forums.
• Experience of working with and supporting local partners
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• A high level of written and spoken English and French
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to and understanding of child rights, the aims and principles of SC, and humanitarian standards such as the Sphere Charter and the Code of Conduct. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.
• Formal training in cluster coordination an advantage
• Prior experience working in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or West and Central African Region
• Previous experience working with Save the Children

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector.

01 year Contract

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, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

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.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=cnBldGV1aWwuNzE4MTAuMzgzMEBzYXZldGhlY2hpbGRyZW5hby5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20