Education and Protection Officer

JOB TITLE: Education and Protection Officer LOCATION: Dier Ezzor CONTRACT LENGTH: 12 Months – Renewable Reporting to: Education and Protection CoordinatorROLE PURPOSE:The Officer will assist in integrating protection principles into educational programming and support the promotion of safe, inclusive learning environments that foster the well-being and holistic development of all learners. The Education and Protection Officer will play a key role in the implementation and follow-up of a comprehensive education project in Deir Ezzor. Working closely with the Education and Protection Coordinator, the Officer will support activities in both formal and non-formal educational settings. The primary purpose is to enhance educational access, quality, and protective environments for children and adolescents, particularly those from vulnerable and conflict-affected communities. The Officer will be responsible for integrating protection principles into educational programming and promoting safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that foster the well-being and holistic development of all learners. This role requires a proactive approach to community engagement, technical support for partners, and a strong commitment to safeguarding.KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY1. Project Implementation & Technical Support* Representation: Support the representation of IPV in coordination meetings related to NES coordination mechanisms (e.g., Education and Child Protection sub-sectors) at the request of the Education & Protection Coordinator. * Field Monitoring: Conduct regular field visits to project sites (schools, learning centers) to monitor activity progress, verify data, and provide on-site technical support to partners and volunteers. * Partner Support: Support and facilitate meetings with implementing partners to follow up on project progress, address implementation challenges, and share key updates. * Quality Assurance: Review partners' programmatic documents (reports, training materials, attendance sheets) to ensure alignment with approved plans, donor requirements, and quality standards. Highlight any irregularities or concerns to the Education & Protection Coordinator. * Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges affecting project implementation (e.g., access issues, community tensions, supply chain delays) and propose contextually appropriate mitigation measures. * MEAL Compliance: Ensure adherence to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes. Support data collection activities and promptly report any data discrepancies to the MEAL team and Coordinator. * Material Support: Assist in the needs assessment, procurement planning, and distribution of educational supplies, learning materials, and student kits, ensuring they reach the intended beneficiaries. * Reporting: Contribute to quality donor reporting by providing relevant technical inputs and field data on a monthly, quarterly, or as-needed basis. * Planning & Strategy: Support the Education and Protection Coordinator in developing project plans, objectives, strategies, and detailed implementation work plans. * Mainstreaming: Provide technical input to ensure the quality implementation of activities, ensuring protection principles (including accessibility for children with disabilities and GBV risk mitigation) are mainstreamed across all education interventions. * Safeguarding: Act as a key point of contact for safeguarding concerns in the field, ensuring that reporting mechanisms are understood by partners and community members, and that any concerns are reported immediately according to IPV's policies.2. Capacity Building* Technical Input: Provide technical input and recommendations for assessments, strategies, and reports related to Education and Protection projects. * Training & Facilitation: Support the design, organization, and facilitation of training sessions for partner staff, teachers, and community volunteers on relevant methodologies in Education and Protection (e.g., PSS, SEL, inclusive education, child safeguarding). * Coaching & Mentoring: Conduct on-the-job coaching and mentoring for partner staff and volunteers to strengthen their technical skills and confidence in implementing activities. * Performance Improvement: Assist in evaluating project performance and partner capacity, identifying areas for improvement, and contributing to capacity-building plans. * Learning & Development: Support the identification of capacity gaps among partners and contribute to the design of tailored support to address these gaps.3. Coordination & Representation* Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain effective communication and build strong working relationships with NGOs, working groups, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), school principals, and local education authorities in NES. * Cluster Participation: Participate (in-person or remotely) in relevant working groups, task forces, and coordination meetings (e.g., Education and Child Protection sub-sectors) to ensure IPV's work is aligned with the broader humanitarian response. * Collaboration: Collaborate closely with stakeholders (including protection actors) to ensure smooth program implementation, address community feedback, and promote knowledge sharing and integration. * Partner Support: Support partners' active and meaningful participation in Education and Protection coordination platforms to strengthen the local response.4. Other DutiesIn addition to the above responsibilities, the Education and Protection Officer will remain flexible and undertake additional tasks as requested to support the overall programs team in NES, contributing to a collaborative and effective team environment.QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCEEssential (Must Have)* Education: Relevant university degree in Education, Protection, Humanitarian Response, Development, Human Rights, Social Work, Project Management, or a related field. * Experience: Minimum 2–3 years of proven experience in implementing education and/or protection projects in humanitarian or early recovery contexts. * Contextual Knowledge: Experience working in complex and volatile environments (preferably in Syria/NES) with documented results related to the position's responsibilities. Strong understanding of the Northeast Syria (NES) context, including local governance structures (e.g., Education Committees). * Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of protection principles and approaches in humanitarian settings, including cultural sensitivities in Syria. Good knowledge of gender dynamics and protection issues related to the Syrian conflict and displacement. * Inclusion: Demonstrated experience in or strong commitment to working with children with disabilities and promoting inclusive, gender-sensitive education practices. * Analytical Skills: Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to contribute to practical strategies addressing Education and Protection issues. * Humanitarian Standards: Experience supporting emergency and early recovery operations and familiarity with humanitarian standards (e.g., INEE Minimum Standards, Sphere Standards) and coordination mechanisms (Clusters). * Grants & Compliance: Experience in grants follow-up and a basic understanding of donor compliance requirements. * M&E Orientation: Familiarity with M&E systems, data collection tools, and the use of data for program improvement and decision-making. * Community Engagement: Proven experience in community engagement and mobilization, particularly with parents, teachers, and local education authorities. * Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-ethnic and multicultural environment. * Work Ethic: Ability to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision. * Communication: Good reporting and communication skills. * IT Skills: Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). * Language: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.Note:IPV is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.IPV is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to adhere to PSEA and child protection policies.HOW TO APPLYYou can apply for this position through the following link: https://ipv-sy.org/jobs/education-and-protection-officer/