Job Title: Senior Specialist, Primary Education

Division/Department: Global Operations

Location New Delhi

Reporting Relationship: Program Director

JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Specialist, Primary Education is one of the key positions of ChildFund India to provide technical leadership to the program designing and implementation of various projects around primary education in line with Country Strategy Plan. The position is responsible for life stage two portfolio of ChildFund India. In addition to this, position will also support early childhood care and education (ECCE) component of life stage one (birth to five years). These projects can be supported through sponsorship or other forms of funding which includes corporate, government etc. The responsibility includes project planning, program quality, effectiveness. designing, providing directions and guidance for implementation, regular progress review and documentation. budget control and management and donor reporting. This position is a part of Country Management Team (CMT) and liaisons with ChildFund International Regional Office (RO) and International Office (IO) for life stage two related actions including ECCE.
The Senior Specialist, Primary Education is responsible to develop and execute a coherent education program portfolio, represent the organization in external forums, and support the growth of a quality program through the acquisition and stewardship of resources.

DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the design and quality of primary education program portfolio for ChildFund across the 3 life stages. This includes working closely with the International Technical Teams to develop standards, indicators, core guidance and effective practices; and ensuring those are implemented in projects supported by ChildFund India across the country.
• Strengthen the education portfolio by developing and managing technical partnerships (national level), building field level staff capacity, providing timely technical support to the local partners, and by quality evaluation of projects.
• Develop a coherent learning agenda aligned with ChildFund International’s theory of change and life stage approach. This includes identifying key questions in the development arena related to child development, promoting a culture of inquiry within the organization, and ensuring a plan to gather evidence, promote knowledge, execute applied research, and develop a cadre of professionals across ChildFund in India.Support in evidence-based programing, preparing Project Design Development (PDD) and Annual Operating Plan and Budget (AoPB) and take lead in establishing signature programs.

• Collaborate and network with other developmental organizations and participate in relevant forums on primary education at the National level and helping to position ChildFund India as a strong strategic partner. Also, to take lead in exploring network and partnership opportunities and establishing mutually benefiting partnerships with strategic advantages for ChildFund India.
• Conduct project reviews together with monitoring and evaluation unit aiming at strengthening the program quality standards and provide guidance to the monitoring and evaluation teams on measuring effectiveness and impact of the program interventions.
• Organize periodic budget reviews together with relevant project and finance teams to ensure optimum utilization of funds throughout the year and 100% at the end of the project period for both subsidy and grant projects.
• Support communications unit in preparing capacity statements. specific brochures. success stories, magazines or any other programmatic documents related to the livelihood.
• Coordinate and engage with communications and knowledge management team towards designing and implementing thematic related communication materials such as preparing consolidated reports, case studies, success stories, project outcome documents for dissemination and publication, campaigns, etc.
• Lead/Support resource mobilization by developing concept notes, technical papers, assess donor environment, develop linkages and participate in networks. Take a lead role in raising resources through government, bilateral and institutional collaborations and to support business development team in raising corporate grants.
• Represent the organization in external forums through presentations, networking, publications, and engagement in the development discourse or advocacy initiatives. Develop program positions, as appropriate.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge practices on education and ensure that the ChildFund India program portfolio contributes to this discourse and benefits from it.
• Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the ChildFund’s Child Safeguarding Policy and organizational values.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned by the Line Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in education / social science/ Development Studies with relevant experience.
• 8 to 10 years of experience in the development sector with 5 to 6 years’ experience of management and or technical support to education programs at national level.
• Strong project and people management skills with proven ability to set strategic direction and develop operational plans.
• Demonstrated success in providing technical leadership to partner organizations spread across different geographies in India.
• Experience in training design and capacity building of staff, including mentoring and leadership.
• Familiarity with the donor landscape active in education and experience in growing a program portfolio in collaboration and partnership with government and bilateral agencies.
• Proven ability to cultivate and steward relationships with partners and donors.

COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge 0f participatory community development approaches.
• Excellent presentation, public speaking and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing an influential style of leadership.
• Strong computer skills, with familiarity in using Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Organized, team player, self-starter and results-oriented individual.
• Excellent written and spoken skills of English and Hindi Language. Knowledge or skills of any other India language will be desirable.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Last Application date: February 13, 2023

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

ChildFund International is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children.