Project Manager on Instant Network Schools (m/f)

Description

• Type of contract: National consultancy contract
• Post Number: N/A
• Period of contract: 9 months
• The Effective Date of Assignment: As soon as possible

Operational Context

• UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. An unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 25.9 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. We work in 134 countries, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Our teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including legal protection, administration, community services, education and health
• UNHCR’s new Education 2030 Strategy is anchored in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) guiding principles that aim to ensure inclusion of displaced populations within national education systems. The Global Compact on Refugees, states that “in line with national education laws, policies and planning, and in support of host countries, States and relevant stakeholders will contribute resources and expertise to expand and enhance the quality and inclusiveness of national education systems to facilitate access by refugee and host community children, adolescents and youth.” UNHCR therefore seeks to support these communities by focusing on system-strengthening interventions to ensure that all learners receive quality, relevant, and inclusive education that prepares them to fully engage in the economic, social, and cultural world. The implementation of the Instant Network Schools (INS) is designed to adopt a consultative process between UNHCR, relevant line ministries, implementing partners and the refugee community to ensure that it is aligned to national policies to ensure sustainability, alignment with the GCR, and is an effective learning resource for refugees and the communities that host them, including those enrolled in secondary and post-primary education
• Since 2013, Vodafone Foundation and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have partnered to enhance the quality of education in refugee camps. Working with UNHCR’s Innovation and Education Teams, Vodafone Foundation’s technical expertise and core capabilities were leveraged to co-design the Instant Network Schools (INS) programme. Over the years, the INS became a flagship programme helping to shape the future of UNHCR’s Connected Education approach. It has defined a holistic approach that has had significant impact within the schools in refugee camps. The INS is helping to ensure that refugees, and the communities that host them, have access to accredited, quality, and relevant learning opportunities. As of 2020, Vodafone Foundation and UNHCR have deployed 36 Instant Network Schools. Since its inception, over 86,000 refugee students and 1,000 teachers benefitted from the programme across eight refugee camps in Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. By 2025, 255 new INS schools will be opened across 6 countries (Kenya, Mozambique, Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania, DRC and Turkey). Vodafone Foundation & UNHCR are aiming for a staged roll-out over the next six years (2020 – 2025) to ensure adequate engagement and buy-in at all levels of government and private sector for long term sustainability and integration into local systems

The position

• The Project Manager - Instant Network School (INS) is a member of Mozambique’s Protection team and reports to the Head of the Nampula Field Office with support supervision from the Education focal point. S/he is responsible for the day-to-day implementation, operation and monitoring of the Instant Network Schools programme in Maratane and Nampula. Working closely with the UNHCR offices and educators in public schools, the Programme Manager is responsible for the effective and efficient establishment and management of all INS-related activities. S/he, working closely with the Education Focal Point, will be the liaison person with the government, i.e Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology to ensure endorsements from the Mozambique government. The Programme Manager will manage and coordinate a team of INS coaches (one per school) who will act as school-based focal points, ensure proper use of the INS facilities and programme buy-in. In 2020, it is expected that 2 INS schools will be opened in Mozambique, with additional schools opening in the following years. The position will be based in Nampula and will involve frequent travels to partner schools

Duties

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• INS activities are guided by global, regional and country priorities and reflect UNHCR's policy on age, gender and diversity (AGD)
• Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community-based approaches
• Persons of concern are treated with dignity and respect and all protection incidents are immediately identified and addressed

Responsibility (processes and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Support to programme set-up and consolidation: Provide programmatic and operational support to the setup and consolidate INS locations in public schools, with an emphasis on secondary education, across Mozambique. Serve as liaison between the partners and the local community
• Support to UNHCR’s Ministry liaisons: support the UNHCR staff focal point for education (in Nampula the Asssociate Protection Officer (Community-based) who will serve as the main liaison with the Ministry of Education to align the INS program to national priorities, provide data and information, and to develop a strong working relationship with the ministry to cultivate greater collaboration for INS implementation and sustainability
• Connected Education strategy development: with support from UNHCR’s global Connected Education team, work to develop a Connected Education roadmap to support UNHCR’s education strategy for Mozambique and aligned to national strategies, inclusion of refugees into national education systems with a focus on post-primary and the SDG4
• Programme Management: Responsible for delivering the implementation of the INS programme in accordance with approved time schedules, budgets and both UNHCR, Ministry of Education and Vodafone Foundation (VF) guidelines and procedures. Support UNHCR, Ministry of Education and VF team with the strategy, project planning, and identifying technology solutions to address local education needs
• Recruitment and Team Management: Participate in the recruitment process for the INS coaches, train, mentor (with the support of UNHCR Connected Education and Vodafone Foundation) and provide technical guidance to the team to ensure successful delivery of the INS programme
• Educational content: Liaise with local authorities to identify opportunities to secure curriculum-aligned content for distribution in the INS. Activate prospect for other content providers which could complement the portfolio
• Resource Planning and Management: Support the work of educators in the schools and ensure effective and optimal deployment and use of INS platforms and tools
• Training and Support: Provide on-the-job training, and facilitate training by others, to educators, secondary education school staff (prioritizing those with a focus on STEM subjects), partners and other stakeholders in using educational technology, ICT maintenance and other relevant areas. Train educators in the use and basic maintenance of the equipment, use of content, integrating technology into lesson planning and delivery
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Building capacity amongst educators and partners to monitor the programme as per the programme’s M&E Framework. This includes supporting in the effective use of online tools for data collection, conducting focus group sessions, analyzing interim progress on INS programme together with partners like the Ministry of Education. Also play an active role in designing and facilitating a research study on the impact of the INS over the five years. This includes assisting with coordination with local authorities, along with supporting monitoring and research mission to the field
• Reporting: Produce timely programme reports to document progress and decisions, identify challenges and mitigation measures, and track programme impact

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Implement INS activities as required
• Issue documents and reports for clearance by the Head of the Office and/or Protection Officer
• Provide advice on INS implementation in consultation with UNHCR staff and MoE liaisons

Requisites

• Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
• The ideal candidate will have the following:
• University degree in one of the following related areas: ICT/Education/Project Management
• A background in education and knowledge of educational technology
• Experience working in harsh environments with low bandwidth field technologies
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects from conception to take off
• Demonstrated experience and skills in facilitation and delivering trainings
• Demonstrated experience conducting data collection for monitoring and reporting
• Proficiency in English and Portuguese (spoken and written)
• Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:
• Excellent teamwork and problem-solving skills
• Solid writing skills and an understanding of project management cycle and programme management in complex emergencies
• Experience with various distributed ICT Systems and Networks, preferably in a development setting
• Demonstrated experience in conducting or supporting Evaluations
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Strong understanding and experience in building digital literacy amongst youth
• Must be able to multi-task effectively and balance competing priorities, reporting lines and deadlines
• Advanced interpersonal skills s/he must be able to relate well with others, dictate responsibilities, offer support and constructive feedback
• S/he must be able to adeptly and quickly solve problems as they come up
• Competencies:
• Values:
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity Core Competencies
• Core Competencies:
• Accountability
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Communication
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Results Orientation
• Organizational Awareness
• Candidates may also be tested on relevant managerial and cross functional competencies. Examples are listed below:
• Managerial Competencies:
• Empowering & Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement & Decision Making
• Strategic Planning & Vision
• Leadership
• Managing Resources
• Cross – Functional Competencies:
• Analytical Thinking
• Innovation & Creativity
• Technological Awareness
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Planning & Organizing
• Policy Research & Development
• Political Awareness
• Stakeholder Management
• Change Capability & Adaptability

Benefits

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For national consultancy, the salary is linked to the salary for National Professional Officers and is based on the experience of the selected candidate

Notes

• Personal History Form not submitted in UNHCR format as well as not signed, incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees)
• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application
• UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behaviour and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80

How to Apply

Application

• Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit their applications with fully complete and signed Personal History Form and Supplementary Pages (https://www.unhcr.org/afr/how-to-apply.html) as well as updated factsheet (internal candidates only) via email to: mozma@unhcr.org with the Subject line “Project Manager on Instant Network Schools”