Technical Advisor for Non-Formal Education

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program

Positive Youth Engagement (PYE) is a seven-year multi-sectoral Youth Activity designed to address the core issues of Palestinian youth development. The PYE activity will reach vulnerable and marginalized youth aged 10-24 at risk of social marginalization in deprived areas and private universities where they live by improving education, health, employment, community involvement (reintegration), and other needs as identified through drivers' assessments. The activity’s goal is to transform vulnerable youth into productive, contributing citizens who are connected to their communities by increasing opportunities for Palestinian youth to realize their potential and to effectively contribute to social and economic development. The following are the main themes of the PYE:

• Core programming that supports, protects, prepares, and engages youth in safe spaces located within a strong network of more than 80 CBOs throughout the West Bank. 
• Tailored packages of activities, resources, and referrals that will set youth on individually selected pathways building on the core curriculum to increase opportunities for youth to effectively contribute to social and economic development.
• Opportunities for sustained community engagement and leadership through youth-led pathways and councils, community and social media campaigns, and mentorship of subsequent cohorts as part of sustainable community youth networks.
• Improve opportunities for learning and individual empowerment for youth in grades 7-12 through the network of safe spaces.
• Expand safe spaces through 11 local university career centers to reach youth ages 19-24 and offer the PYE core interventions including the Profound Stress and Attunement (PSA) approach and healthy well-being for youth, parents, and adult caretakers; learning activities (including the Passport To Success (PTS) and I: SERVE), youth pathways; and youth-led small-scale initiatives in addition to technology and innovation-driven learning programs with a focus on STEAM, green solutions, and entrepreneurship.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Technical Advisor for Non-Formal Education (TBD) will lead the design and implementation of the new component entitled Non-Formal Education under the PYE program. The Advisor will work closely with the Advisor on Career center development in Private Universities, the Learning and Capacity Building Senior Technical Expert, Advisor on Youth Pathways and well-being and will engage with existing partners and the new service providers that will manage the design and implementation of related non-formal education programs in the safe spaces across 40 geographic locations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The focus of this position would be to:

·        Design and manage the implementation of the non-formal education interventions and activities across target safe spaces in communities of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

·        Develop the framework to identify and engage service providers on the following subjects including math, science, innovation, and English language.

·        Manage the pool of experts and service providers to implement the non-formal education activities based on indicators and targets set.

• Contribute to related MEL studies and youth educational performance improvement surveys.
• Collaborate with the network of partner organizations and safe spaces to advance the implementation of non-formal education efforts across target localities.

with a focus on improving the educational performance of youth grades 7-12 through interactive and transformational learning activities and sessions that will take place in youth safe spaces at a total of 70 safe spaces. The Advisor will be supported by a Senior Specialist, Officer, and Coordinator on the subject matter.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Strategize, set technical priorities in collaboration with the Chief of Party (CoP), lead implementation, and review technical progress related to non-formal education activities.
• Finalize design and implementation plan for the non-formal education component of PYE that leads to long-term livelihood improvements for target youth.
• Develop and implement non-formal and alternative education programs to reach students in private schools as well as dropouts from secondary and high schools.
• Advise on training for pre-and in-service teachers in private schools and fresh graduates in coordination with specialized service providers.
• Manage the development of instructional approaches, curricula, and learning materials in support of literacy, math skills, science, and innovation through non-formal modes of instruction.
• Manage the development of non-formal education frameworks at the national level for non-formal education through PYE partner organizations and safe spaces.
• Identity and liaise with educational organizations including Teacher Training Institutes, private schools, and educational civil society organizations to improve the capacity to deliver quality non-formal education interventions and learning.
• Overall Responsibility for implementing non-formal education approaches, including literacy, numeracy, life skills, and work readiness.
• Work in close coordination with the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP), and the Youth Pathways Manager to ensure the delivery of an integrated program on non-formal education with work skills and employment readiness opportunities. Further, coordinate with the Youth Wellbeing Manager on psychosocial first aid for target youth.
• Work in close coordination with the Gender and Social Inclusion Senior Specialist to develop and implement gender-specific mechanisms to reach target female youth.
• Engage with the Youth Safe Spaces Specialist to identify potential local NGO partners in the educational and non-formal education sectors.
• Oversee the performance of partners implementing non-formal education activities.
• Guide the process of identifying and developing non-formal education materials.
• Finalize objectives, intermediate results, and indicators for this component in collaboration with the MEL team; improve data processing and reporting.
• Contribute to weekly, quarterly, and annual reporting on this component in English.
• Develop and monitor technical deliverables of service providers and safe spaces.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the CoP. 

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging program participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

The Non-Formal Technical Advisor will directly manage the component’s team including a Senior Specialist, Officer, and Coordinator. Additionally, the Advisor will be working closely with other technical advisors within the PYE team, the MEL team, and Safe Spaces Specialist, in addition to the PYE partner organization and safe spaces.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: PYE Chief of Party

Works Directly With DcoP, Technical Advisors, Finance, compliance, and Operations teams, Partner Organizations, Safe Spaces in the communities, MercyCorps Regional and Global Teams mainly the Technical Support Unit. 

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced degree in International Education, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field; PhD or EdD strongly preferred.
• 10 years of Education experience is ideal.
• 5-7 years’ previous experience in implementing non-formal education programs is required.
• Experience initiating and implementing effective performance monitoring education delivery.
• Experience integrating girls and at-risk or marginalized students to increase retention and reduce drop-out rates among segments of youth grades (7-12).
• Experience working on education programs in the Palestinian context with key Palestinian stakeholders is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience and demonstrated skills with the development and implementation of teacher and learning facilitator training, support, and monitoring programs and protocols, including those that are evidence-based are required.
• Demonstrated experience in coaching and mentoring of teachers and learning facilitators.
• Strong interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and creative.
• Strong communications and technical skills.
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and excellent verbal and written English is required.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving. This position requires an ability to think creatively about changing norms that lead to greater opportunities for economic growth at household, community, and institutional levels. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem-solve, work within a complex and sensitive setting, and follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Ramallah, Palestine, and requires constant movement between West Bank cities. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status, or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Qualified persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online HERE no later than 2:00 PM Friday, 17 November 2023.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.