Senior Project Officer

Program Brief

Founded in 1933, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed, and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure, and wishing to advance on a path of development.

IRC has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 and obtained registration with the NGOAB in March 2018. Since IRC obtained registration in March 2018, it has moved quickly to expand its integrated emergency health and protection response through both direct and partner-based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and child protection. Through 2018, the IRC’s response strategy will primarily target Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, while meeting the significant needs of both refugee and host populations, as already existing vulnerabilities are compounded by cyclical monsoon and cyclone seasons that impose additional threats to the lives and protection of those refugees as well as vulnerable host populations. IRC is growing its programming to cover education and livelihoods/DRR, as well as its geographic footprint in the host community and in other parts of the country.

Purpose of the Role

The use of technology for education can contribute to overcoming some of the main challenges seen with the rollout of the Myanmar Curriculum (MC), including teacher professional development, and addressing the language barrier where the teaching and learning materials are in Burmese and English, two languages that either the learners or teachers have a proficient level of fluency. Considering the challenges and constraints, to address the education program needs and gaps, UNICEF Cox’s Bazar field office is implementing T4E solutions for providing quality education in the camps. One of the key initiatives is the provision of secured devices using a mobile device management (MDM) platform to ensure they do not connect to the internet or mobile network. Additionally, it is necessary to capacitate implementing partners and generate evidence on using these technology solutions. IRC will be partnering with UNICEF to implement technology solutions in the camps by monitoring initiatives on the ground, researching and studying field operations to identify best practices and areas for improvement, and determining the viability of solutions, as well as capacitating implementing partners through training to ensure the program staff of national implementing partners develop their skills for managing and monitoring T4E initiatives.

Thus, the IRC is looking to hire a full-time Sr. Project Officer to support achieving the above objectives of the project. This position will directly report to Manager – Capacity Building and Evidence Generation and will closely work with Specialist – Technology for Education and Education Coordinator to bring out the intended results. The scope will cover three major areas to support with: capacity building, evidence generation and managing MDM platform.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

The applicant must be comfortable in a fast-paced, collaborative, and flexible working environment to help to support the diverse, multi-disciplinary work. Experience working in cross-functional teams is essential. The Sr. Project Officer will perform a variety of tasks under the guidance of the Manager – Capacity Building and Evidence Generation for the completion of the project activities including, but not limited to:

Coordination, Management & Representation:

• Coordinate closely with UNICEF implementation partners, local communities, local government agencies, and MDM developer and bring their voice to the technical discussion forums of IRC BD.  

Mobile Device Management (MDM) Platform:

• Manage mobile devices at Implementation partner’s end.
• Monitor, update, and secure devices using SureMDM via the platform on a regular basis.
• Work with implementation partners to address technical issues and troubleshoot problems with the operation of the software in the field.

Capacity Building:

• Support Manager in developing, organizing, and conducting orientations, trainings and workshops for UNICEF’s implementing partners.
• Contribute to increasing the capacity of implementing partners on the use of the learning passport platform, MDM platform and the learning management system.

Evidence Generation and Monitoring:

• Conduct classroom observations and collective qualitative data through focus group discussions and interviews with stakeholders, such as implementing partners, learners, and teachers.
• Monitoring implementation to provide feedback to implementing partners for the MDM platform.
• Monitor T4E programs and generate evidence about technology solutions for four initiatives.
• Develop monthly updates from the field level collected data.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience and Competencies: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• At least 3 years of NGO/INGOs working experience in Education programs.
• Experience and skills in EdTech solution implementation, MDM platform, capacity building, monitoring, evaluation, and research would be of value.
• Experience working with refugees and vulnerable groups of people.
• Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Strong writing skills and speaking fluency in both English and Bangla.
• Understanding of local dialect will be an additional value.
• Should be willing to travel to project areas (Camps & Hosts – Cox’s Bazar and Vasanchar) on a regular basis.
• Cares about the mission and goals of the IRC.

Specific Educational Qualification

• Minimum bachelor’s degree from any discipline or the equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in education, Social Welfare, Sociology, Development Studies, and English will be preferable.

Professional Degree/ Certification

• Will get priority (if any).