PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
In Jordan, roughly 7% of the population is living with a type of disability, of which 20% are under the age of 15. With the influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan since 2012, there has been an increase of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country – roughly 10% of people crossing the border from Syria to Jordan have some form of disability. While there is current legislation protecting the rights of and some services available to PWDs, the refugee crisis has exacerbated the already limited services, in particular formal and informal education. In Jordan, public schools are overcrowded and lack the needed resources to accommodate the influx of Syrian students. Specifically, school facilities are not accessible to PWDs, adequate transport is not available, and there is a lack of trained teachers and special education resources. Stronger linkages also need to be made in schools between detection programs, diagnosis and rehabilitative services for children with disabilities, as highlighted by the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) long-term strategy. Societal misperceptions of different forms and types of disabilities are high among host and refugee populations and PWDs are often stigmatized or marginalized, further limiting their access to education or other services. Community members, parents and peers need to be better informed to reduce stigma and build a more inclusive environment for PWDs. There is also a high need to better prepare family members and the community in general to accommodate the special needs of PWDs.
Since 2013, Mercy Corps has received support from UNICEF to implement the “Access to Education and Psychosocial Support to Children in Public Schools Program” in order to ensure vulnerable children, in particular children with disabilities, have equal access to quality education and rehabilitative services.
Mercy Corps continued to provide in-depth support to schools, and expanded its services to the informal education centers ‘MEKANI centers’ that are currently operated by UNICEF’s partner community-based organizations (CBOs) in order to reach children with disabilities that are not in school.
While significant progress has been made under the program, there is a continued need for technical support and guidance in the schools, and a need for expansion of services into new schools and informal education centers.
Mercy Corps will continue providing in-depth support and guidance for the schools, and will continue to build the capacity of the schools staff and shadow teachers through comprehensive technical training. Mercy Corps will also continue providing the supportive services for children with disabilities.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Field Officer will follow up daily on the implementation of the project on “Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Education”. Field Officer will oversee project activities in schools, and communities, including trainings, community events, and teachers/parents meetings. S/he will coordinate all project activities with teaching staff, parents, shadow teachers, facilitators, and stake holders. S/he will assist Project Coordinators and Deputy Manager in monitoring activities, providing follow up, and preparing weekly updates and monthly progress reports. Field Officer will report directly to Deputy Program Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist Project Coordinators and Deputy Manager in all operations related to the project implementation.
- Support community outreach and identification of children with disabilities.
- Coordinate and monitor the training events, including training of teaching staff and parents training.
- Prepare relevant training materials, arrange for the training events and conduct trainings sessions effectively
- Orient and provide oversight of shadow teachers to ensure quality and learning.
- Support regular teachers’ meetings, parents’ meetings, and community sensitization events
- Coordinate daily activities, including schedule and delivery of activities, and case referrals.
- Oversee and provide guidance to the facilitators.
- Ensure safety and security of children and team.
- Monitor schools upgrades, teachers’ and parents’ performance, enrolment and daily attendance, children’s learning progress and psycho-social improvements,
- Contribute to overall monitoring and evaluation efforts in accordance with the pan, including monitoring, data collection, Data entry, analysis, report writing
- Prepare weekly updates and monthly progress reports, including challenges and recommendations
- Coordinate with other international and local organisations, local government and other stakeholders in the area of education, disability and child protection
- Provide support for organizing visits, meeting, events, training and workshops
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Shadow Teachers, Facilitators, and Minders.
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Program Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Manager
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- College degree in Special Education, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work or other related field
- At least 3 years of related experience performing required tasks in development or relief context
- Good understanding of the context of inclusive and special education in Jordan, and/or psycho-social support
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel
- Knowledge of English is preferable
SUCCESS FACTORS:
- Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values
- Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies
- Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
- Demonstrated organizational skills
- Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills
- Security, political and cultural aware
