Description
The Team Leader will provide overall strategic leadership for the Syria Education Programme (SEP III), ensuring the programme's support to the Ministry of Education and Education Directorates is relevant to, and aligned with, the Ministry's evolving reform priorities.
The Team Leader will lead the six-month inception period, including establishing the Damascus presence, mobilising the Core Delivery Team and TA Pool, operationalising delivery systems, and formalising ways of working with the Ministry.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership and oversight of the programme
- Leading the Core Delivery Team and overseeing the TA Pool
- Ensuring the programme operates flexibly and applies a 'test, learn, adapt' approach
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with senior officials in the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders
- Overseeing programme and budget management, ensuring value for money and compliance with FCDO and IRC financial and procurement requirements
- Managing programme staff, including through direct line management of the ESS Technical Director and other senior team members
The Team Leader will require:
- An advanced degree in education, public administration, international development, or a related field
- A minimum of 10 years' experience managing large-scale, complex, donor-funded technical assistance or education programmes
- Significant prior experience working directly with government ministries or line departments on system-level policy and process reform
- Substantial experience working in conflict, crisis, or politically sensitive transition contexts
- Sound understanding of public finance and value-for-money principles