Вакансія: Formal Education Specialist

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Group/Practice/Unit: Communities & Governance 

Who We Are 

At IREX we strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people and communities thrive. 

But around the globe, persistent poverty, repression, and injustice prevent too many people form achieving their full potential.  To address these problems, we focus on people, not on vaccines, roads, or wells. We support individuals and institutions to create change in their own communities—and to create person to person bridges between nations. 

IREX works with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information. 

IREX in Ukraine seeks a qualified Formal Education Specialist for the USAID-funded Ukraine National Identity Through Youth (UNITY) program. UNITY (Mriemo ta diemo) program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IREX in partnership with Building Ukraine Together (BUR), Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR Ukraine), Making Cents International (MCI), International Republican Institute (IRI), and Zinc Network. This five-year activity launched in 2020 is designed to foster vested ownership among Ukrainian youth in their country’s democratic, European future by further mobilizing youth leadership around a values-based conception of Ukrainian identity grounded in innovation, engagement, and pluralism. 

As the Formal Education Specialist, you will report to the Access to Education Lead and support the development, production, and dissemination of high-quality programs and activities aimed at restoring youth access to education, which has been affected by the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine.

The primary responsibility of the FES will be the implementation of educational activities and the provision of technical expertise in the field of formal education. Collaboration with the Access to Education Lead, Subgrants Manager, Non-Formal Education Specialist, and MEL Specialist will be essential to ensure smooth coordination and execution of project activities.

Key responsibilities include working closely with project partners, including the Ministry of Education and Sciences, trainers, and other education sector stakeholders. You will attend and monitor training activities across Ukraine and be responsible for coordinating the work of trainers, teachers, regional project representatives, vendors, etc. Frequent travel throughout Ukraine will be required, with the position based in Kyiv.

Furthermore, you will represent UNITY within networks of key stakeholders in the Ukrainian education sector, attend sector-related working groups and meetings, and coordinate with UNITY’s Advisor for Gender & Inclusion on inclusive education best practices.

As a FES, you will also oversee and manage programmatic aspects of selected subgrants and small grants/awards that aim to foster access education. Your role will include providing support to grantees in project implementation and effectively managing projects directly within the UNITY team.

We look forward to welcoming a dedicated and passionate Formal Education Specialist to join our team and contribute to our mission of empowering Ukrainian youth in shaping their future through education and engagement.

The ideal candidate takes pride in his or her work and is able to work independently as well as work closely and cooperatively with others to problem-solve and find solutions. She or he will handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality, has a strong work ethic, and is committed to IREX and UNITY values.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships. 

Are you the next member of our team? 

Your Background & Skills

• At least three years of experience in the education sector strengthening or a relevant field, such as setting up career orientation programs for students or implementing professional development programs for educators.
• A degree in international development, public administration, education, management, communications, or other relevant field is preferred.
• Understanding of the formal education sector in Ukraine, its developmental needs, and perspectives.
• Demonstrated success in maintaining excellent collaborations with teachers, higher education institutes, government agencies, and partner organizations, and the ability to establish productive relationships with teachers, government officials, and opinion leaders at national and local levels.
• Proven experience in educational curriculum design and delivery would be an advantage.
• Portfolio of successfully implemented projects or interventions that improved educational sector outcomes (e.g., student enrollment, retention and graduation rates; teacher retention and promotion rates; curricular reforms) would be an advantage.
• Experience with trauma-informed classroom behavior management approaches and student mental health and well-being innovations would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to cooperate with partner organizations and establish productive relationships with government officials and opinion leaders at national and local levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of positive youth development, human-centered design, and Do No Harm approaches is a plus.
• Strong command of spoken/written English, Ukrainian.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and complete tasks/projects in accordance with stated deadlines.
• Able to work independently and as a team member, with the ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible.
• Strong presentation skills: ability to write and present information concisely.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to travel (contingent upon the actual epidemiological situation and based on security recommendations provided by IREX and the Government).
• Ukrainian citizenship or residency with work authorization is required.

Your Daily Tasks

• Provide technical expertise to staff and partners on educational strengthening programming, including pre-service and in-service teacher training, online educational pedagogy, trauma-informed classroom behavior management approaches, innovations for educator and student mental health and well-being, and school-to-work student learning pathways.
• Contribute technically to the design and implementation, quality control of in-person and online program activities aimed at strengthening the formal education sector, which may include secondary, tertiary, and/or vocational education.
• Participate in the selection of subgrantees and provide technical input and oversight during thegrant implementation process.
• Identify, select, and manage external consultants working on education and other relevant fields.
• Map, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with secondary schools, universities, local governments, civil society, youth groups, opinion leaders, parents/guardians, and other program stakeholders.
• Coordinate with UNITY partners who implement designated education sector activities, provide programmatic feedback and recommendations, and ensure progress towards key results.
• Support UNITY partners in adapting international best practices and solutions to the Ukrainian context and the needs of Ukrainian youth.
• Collaborate with the Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Advisor to adapt and apply best practices for inclusive and accessible education that benefits all youth, including those living with disabilities and other forms of marginalization.
• Advocate for the inclusion of new solutions (courses, activities, approaches, services for youth) in school and university programs and services.
• Identify and showcase local, regional, and national level resources for educators and students, such as professional development opportunities, toolkits, networking, and resource hubs.
• Collect success stories and lessons learned to profile successful educators and youth provide input to education-themed awareness campaigns.
• Ensure that training curricula and approaches are tailored based on evaluation results and data.
• Draft program reports, updates, and other reports on program activities.
• Propose and pilot interventions to improve access to education for youth.
• Stay up to date with developments and the latest research related to access to formal education for youth.
• Interact regularly with opinion leaders, government officials, educators, school administrators, trainers, civil society and media groups, and other program stakeholders.
• Create professional development plans for teachers and, in coordination with partners, ensure the implementation of programs for educators and students.
• Travel frequently throughout Ukraine to attend program events and meetings.
• Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Please note that the general duties and responsibilities may be further adjusted based on the specific requirements and priorities of the program.

TO APPLY 

Please send your cover letter and resume as an attachment in an email with “UNITY Formal Education Specialist” in the subject line to [email protected]. Only complete applications will be considered. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Application deadline: Oct 08, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.  

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for remote work.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.

All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. AA/EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled