Senior ECD Partnership Officer

The Senior ECD Partnership Officer will support the implementation of high quality standards of ECD programming by IRC partners. : This will also include follow-up on procurement and payments related to program activities, review budget variance against projection, follow-up on staff movement inside Syria, and support the recruitment of new staff, as needed. The Senior ECD Partnership Officer will coordinate monitoring and evaluation activities with partners, verification of reports received from partners and compilation of qualitative and quantitative reports to the donor.

Major Responsibilities:

Program/Project Management

• Serve as focal point for the implementation of strategic partnership management steps (PEERS), including pre-award assessments, partner monitoring and reporting, and implementation of partner project support plans.
• Serve as the focal point for the coordination of partner trainings and workshops, regular communication, problem solving, and reporting.
• Support the ECD Coordinator with strategic decision making, planning, and partner engagement regarding Ahlan Simsim Partners.
• Ensure the documentation of key partner support through trainings and workshops (pre/posttest, attendance sheet, evaluation) and provide feedback and support in the implementation of the recommendation made after trainings.
• Support the assessment of capacity building needs based on observation and assessment of each partner’s knowledge and capacity in ECD.
• Coordinate with the ECD Manager in strengthening the capacities of partners, including conducting trainings, coaching and mentoring.
• Work alongside IRC Health, Protection and Partnership teams to ensure integrated ECD programming is reflected in ECD capacity building and/or Ahlan Simsim-related sub-awards.
• Coordinate with MEAL for monitoring and evaluation of partner activities to ensure key indicators and targets are met and are consistent with IRC donor requirements
• Contribute to the development of regular reports, both qualitative and quantitative, in relation to ECD capacity building and ECD sub-awards. Work with Partnership team to ensure timely and quality reporting from partners.
• Contribute to the design of ECD partnership interventions and activities to be implemented within the NW Syria context
• Support partners in activity design for any collaborations in emergency response in NW Syria.

Grant Management

• Support the ECD Manager and IECD coordinator in the implementation and adherence to grant work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Support in compiling data for internal and external reports including donor reports.
• Review Partners proposals and budgets, as well as review and provide feedback on partner’s financial and narrative reports.
• Work with the Partnership team to complete regular partner program monitoring and review meetings, and disbursement of any contribution in kind (CIK) for partners.

Others

• Other duties as assigned by direct manager to enable and develop IRC programs

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: IECD Coordinator

Position directly supervises:None

Indirect Reporting:

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: ECD Manager, Senior ECD Partnership Officer, grants, finance and supply chain /NWS, Regional Technical Lead ECD (Ahlan Simsim), Regional Research Lead (Ahlan SimSim), other IRC programs and support departments especially Health, child protection, WPE and Partnership team.

External:Partner organizations in NW Syria

• Bachelor degree in social work, sociology, psychology, law or any related subject.
• At least 4 years professional technical experience including a minimum of 1 year implementing ECD programs in emergency/conflict contexts.
• Excellent interactive training and facilitation skills that focus on using technology based learning approach.
• Good communication skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships
• Demonstrated understanding of working with vulnerable groups in humanitarian setting
• Previous experience in capacity strengthening and mentoring of staff preferred
• Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well
• High standard of spoken and written Arabic and English
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word Experience in regular report writing.

Working Environment:Standard office work environment with frequent travels to Turkey. No travel to Syria is envisaged.