Education/ Integration Specialist

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 8,000 employees and also 8,000 volunteers, while managing a turnover of over 400 million Euro. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, nongovernmental and non-denominational relief organization. The Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest humanitarian NGO and has been ranked the 3rd best NGO in the world in 2018 (for the six consecutive years, the organization is among the top five of the NGO Advisor Annual List).

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency. 

Background

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country. With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.

Purpose

DRC Greece is looking to recruit a qualified, flexible, and enthusiastic professional to work for its office in Larisa as an Education/Integration Specialist. Under the direct management of the Urban Manager and with technical guidance from the Education Coordinator and the Urban/Integration Coordinator, the Specialist will provide support to the regions of Thessaly, ensuring the access to both formal and non-formal Education to all out of school children (OOSC) residing in open accommodation sites, urban accommodation, or any other accommodation facilities. In support of the Area Manager and the Urban Manager, the Specialist will also support in the design and the implementation of DRC’s non-formal education activities in two open accommodation sites and in urban learning centers by providing technical supervision and oversight of non-Formal education staff in sites and monitoring the operating context to ensure DRC’s education programming is relevant and responsive to humanitarian needs in the region of Thessaly.                                

Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities include:

Design and implementation of support activities to the region of Thessaly and NFE activities in DRC supported Sites:

• Monitor enrollments to formal education for school-age children (4 to 15) and youth (16-18) in the region of Thessaly.  
• Identify gaps regarding the access to education of children residing in the Thessaly region.
• Identify OOSC and coordinate outreach activities to facilitate their access to formal and non-formal education.
• In collaboration with the Area Manager and the Urban Manager, build networks with local authorities, municipalities, civil society organizations and public schools in the region to promote the inclusion of refugee children in schools. 
• Provide support to public schools with refugee students regarding school enrollments, attendance and avoiding school dropouts.
• Organize capacity building activities of education personnel in formal and non-formal education institutions.
• Coordinate the facilitation of intercultural education activities and workshops for refugee children and youth provided by DRC or by other CSOs.
• Support in the organization of awareness raising events for local communities in collaboration with other DRC departments, local schools, donors and other local and national CSOs.
• In collaboration with the Education Coordinator, provide technical guidance and supervision to NFE staff (Senior Teachers, Teachers, Education Cultural Mediators and Social Scientists) in DRC supported sites in Thessaly, to ensure the consistency and the quality of the programme in support of the Urban Manager and the Area Manager
• Promote empathy, compassion and respect for the gender, ethnic, religious, cultural and learning diversity of all children.
• Adhere to DRC’s Code of Conduct preventing child safeguarding violations and promoting the implementation of DRC’s child Safeguarding Policy.
• Support the Urban Manager in the development of budgetary forecasting and budget follow ups for the NFE activities in DRC supported sites in Thessaly

Reporting and Education Information Management:

• Identify, monitor and report school enrollments based on available data from DRC, Unicef, MoE and other local and national stakeholders.
• Ensure that relevant project data and Means of Verification are accurately collected and stored and comply with internal reporting systems.
• Monitor the progress of non-formal education activities provided by DRC against project plans, budgets and timelines.
• Prepare timely and high-quality progress and donor reports.

Representation and coordination:

• Coordinate with relevant Government Authorities, Civil Society Organizations and other relevant stakeholders and represent DRC in inter-agency meetings as required.
• Liaise closely with Ministry of Education focal points and other local stakeholders to support the access of refugee children to formal education
• Represent DRC Greece to relevant forums and working committees/groups. 
• Liaise with local authorities and CSOs to coordinate joint activities and promote synergies. 

Programme Development:

• Identify staff training needs and support in the planning and delivery of capacity building for education personnel both in formal and non-formal education.
• Develop education project objectives at area-level in collaboration with the Education Coordinator and Urban/Integration Coordinator.
• Identify development opportunities for the DRC Education programme in the area of deployment and support with budgeting and narrative for proposals (where relevant).
• Contribute to continual improvements in DRC programming and ways of working, through identification and communication of challenges, gaps, recommendations for improvements and lessons learnt.
• In collaboration with the Education Coordinator, contribute to the development and design of DRC’s education program and activities.

Accountability:

• Support in the collection of material for DRC’s communications platforms.
• In day-to-day tasks ensure relevant accountability to internal DRC and Donor policies. 
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Area Manager or Education Coordinator relevant to the project objectives.
• Any other tasks assigned by the line manager in line with overall response in the area of deployment.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in Social Sciences, Education, or a related field (required).
• Training or courses in child protection/safeguarding and NFE will be considered an asset.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in related field with a focus on education programs (required).
• At least 2-year experience with local or international NGOs (required).
• Proven experience in project management and management of interdisciplinary teams.
• English (advanced verbal and written skills) (required).
• Greek (advanced verbal and written skills) (required).
• Prior professional experience working with vulnerable children will be considered an asset.
• Experience in delivering education trainings and/or mentoring education personnel will be considered an asset.
• Experience engaging with parents, communities and local institutions and stakeholders to improve access to education and address students’ needs will be considered an asset.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.

• Strong sense of initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principles.
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn from others.
• Ability to multitask and cope with multiple competing demands under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in a demanding working environment.
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed

• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required

Terms and Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)
• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)
• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.
• The position will be based in Larisa (Central Greece) and national terms and conditions apply

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 28th of September 2021. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position DRC reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.