Jordan - Chief of Party, Learning Environment Improvement Program (2010107)

Organization(s): International Relief & Development

Country/Region: Jordan

Contract Length: Full-time staff position

Apply by: 18 August 2010

Reference No: 2010107

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International Relief & Development (IRD) is a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental organization which focuses its operations in regions of the world that present social, political and technical challenges. IRD specializes in facilitating and supporting assistance that is tailored specifically to those most in need. IRD’s mission is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. The organization accomplishes its mission by implementing targeted cost-effective relief and development programs that improve the lives of these vulnerable groups.

- IRD was founded by Dr. Arthur B. Keys, Jr. in 1998.
- IRD provides more than $400 million annually in development and humanitarian assistance to Africa, Asia, the Balkans, Latin America, the Middle East and the Newly Independent States.
- Since 1998, IRD has provided over a billion dollars in humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations around the world.
- Each year IRD distributes more than $100 million in in-kind contributions to those in need around the world.
- Currently IRD is implementing or developing assistance programs in more than 30 countries.
- IRD provides cost-effective relief and development programs in six core sectors (Economic Development, Public Health, Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems, Infrastructure, Community Stabilization, Democracy, Governance and Community Development and Relief/Rapid Response) and Special Projects.

The program will focus on the establishment and institutionalization of a positive learning environment through the fostering of a school and community-based decision-making process; promoting a school accreditation system; and providing complementary infrastructure improvements and repairs for numerous schools.

The program aims to improve student achievement, well-being and access to safe facilities. The program objectives are:

- Increasing the early adoption of positive learning behaviors and reinforcing positive change;
- Promoting school and community based decisions and building awareness within the schools and their communities   for increased support for enabling environments that contribute to improved learning outcomes;
- Improving the infrastructure of 150 selected schools; and
- Institutionalizing improved learning environments in 350 schools.

Position Description:

Manage a project team of community-based participation specialists, education experts, and school facility design and construction / rehabilitation engineers. Serve as counterpart in representing the project for clients and for the production and/or oversight and approval of project deliverables.Work in partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Education to achieve project objectives. Demonstrated ability to effectively deal with a broad range of stakeholders including high-level host country government officials, education sector professionals and community representatives. 

Required Skills

- A Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field and 10+ years of donor-funded international development management experience;
- Demonstrated ability to lead project teams to meet objectives in and across multiple technical areas;
- Expertise in community mobilization; secondary education reform; and/or school rehabilitation construction;
- Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination;
- Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic an advantage but not required.
- Familiarity with the education system in Jordan and/or other Middle Eastern countries and key issues and challenges faced;

Experience Required

- Previous experience as Chief of Party for a large USAID-funded project;
- Experience working in Arabic or Muslim countries