Background/Context
Whilst much attention has been given to the need to return children and youth to the classroom during the Covid-19 pandemic, not enough effort is being made to address the ever-growing mental health needs of children and youth from conflict-affected communities. Over the last decade, numerous studies have highlighted the devastating impact of war and displacement on the wellbeing of children and youth.
The impact of displacement, war and violence on children’s wellbeing in general – across all regions in which NRC operates has proven to be detrimental to education. The Central and West Africa region (CWA) is characterized by multi-dimensional and chronic crises, counts 38.8 million children that are not in school (compared to 31.6 million 10 years ago), representing one out of every five out-of-school children worldwide. Countries where NRC is working in CWA (Mali, Burkina, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, CAR and DRC) are struggling to provide quality learning opportunities as they are faced with lack of education resources and personnel, overcrowded classrooms, deliberate attacks to education and high school dropout rates.
In response to growing Psycho-Social Support (PSS) needs stemming from conflict, attacks to education and the pandemic, NRC introduced its flagship Better Learning Programme (BLP) to CWA Country Offices in 2021. Building on PIWJK’s 2020-2021 project ‘Better Learning Programme (BLP) Covid-19 Scale-Up’, NRC will undertake a phased approach to further scale up BLP in the CWA region over a three-year period building on the work already carried out in 2021.
1. Role and responsibilities
As the Regional BLP Capacity Building Project Manager, your roles and responsibilities will include –
- Support the in-country BLP focal points (including technical guidance) to implement and monitor BLP activities
- Assess and map existing strengths, weaknesses, capacity gaps in implementing BLP across Country Offices
- Focal point for the BLP capacity building component including couching and mentoring across relevant Country Offices;
- Set up of a workplan made available to relevant Country Offices including regional and global workshop/fora to roll-out the capacity building materials with the relevant NRC colleagues;
- Roll-out across relevant Country Offices of the BLP global materials (such as the BLP Guidance Kit, the BLP youth wellbeing programmatic documents, the capacity development Kit etc);
- Support the Regional Education Adviser in reporting requirements;
- Actively participate the BLP Technical Steering Committee meetings to move forward project milestones through structured approach;
- Focal point to ensure quality implementation of BLP in relevant Country Offices through existing communication platforms follow-up, field-visits, coaching, revision/development of country specific procedures/tools, GOMs, GRMs, GCM, coordination of Country Offices inputs and consolidation of reports to donors, review of BLP technical resources and/or advocacy/communication materials etc;
- Coordinate and manage BLP project (global/regional grant) implementation (activities, budget and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements
- Ensure that BLP projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist
- Interface with the Global BLP Unit (GBU) in coordination with the regional Education Advisor;
- Compile and disseminate best practice, lessons learnt, recommendations, and case studies from project implementation, creating and tracking against a project improvement plan.
2. Competencies
- Minimum 5 years of experience from a senior level project implementation position in a humanitarian/recovery context;
- Previous work in PSS/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs is considered as an asset;
- Previous experience operating NRC Better Learning Programme 1/2/3 is considered an asset;
- Fluency in French and English, both written and verbal is required;
- Good communication, interpersonal skills and diplomacy;
- Strong organisational and team working skills;
- Good cultural awareness and sensitivity;
- Expertise within one of NRC’s core competencies is an asset.
Behavioural competencies
- Influencing;
- Analysing;
- Communicating with impact and respect;
- Coping with change.
Find more details to the role here JD BLP Regional Capacity Building Manager, CWA.docx
What We Offer
- 12months contract with possibility of extension
- An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
- A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields
Internal candidates are encouraged to apply but we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.
To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase icon “I am an employee” on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRC’s internal career site
**Apply by completing all the system required fields of your experience in your application**