Field Coordinator

Job Description

Duty Station: Chandranagar, Sarlahi (Residential)
Term of Appointment: Annual contract, open ended and performance dependent
Remuneration: Negotiable according to qualifications & experience within a framework.
Start Date: To be started immediately.

Position Summary: 

This is a leader-manager position with a high degree of activism and zeal. Job involves working with school teachers, parents and local authorities in both formal and informal settings focused on primary level.

Tasks

Promotion and Advocacy 

• Promote/advocate the following issues/subjects in the working area:
  – Public Education in general – Primary grades in particular in the community/with local leadership
  – Child-friendly Teaching
  – Mother Tongue/Multilingual Teaching
  – Non-discrimination and positive discrimination in schools
  – Public Schools in general
  – Dignity of Teaching Profession
  – Complimentary role of parents for quality education with parents and  opinion leaders of the school catchment
  – Need for enhancing learning achievement in public schools

• Motivate and help parents to organize to claim rights to basic education and generate support for public schools with SMCs and teachers.

Management and Monitoring:

• Take charge of the field office, plan and implement activities based on annual plans.
• Coordinate with thematic staff and provide necessary support to CEPP staff and partners to operate.
• Conduct the monitoring visits and organize review meetings with the staff and stakeholders from time to time and support them on strategic issues.
• Perform any other managerial duties assigned by the Program Coordinator or CEPP.
• Supervise (monthly planning, time sheets, leave, and performance capacity), support and motivate sub-ordinate staff.
• Maintain accounts and make reports and control the wastage of inefficiencies, inaccuracies and irregularities.

Coordination/ Communication

• Communicate and coordinate with the stakeholders as necessary.
• Publicize the cause with the parents, teachers
• Support the Program Coordinator in organizing meetings, workshops, interactions and ensure an effective follow-up of the outcomes.
• Explore, identify and join the stakeholders, line agencies, partners and like-minded individuals and institutions in the field.

Reporting and Documentation

• Assure that concerned staff is aware of the agreed reporting system and format for periodic reporting.
• Follow up and assure that reports are produced in time.
• Synthesize quarterly plans and produce overall program reports in every 6 months (first halves of January and July).
• Make a short personal quarterly report with outlines of engagement and reflection.

Expected Outcomes

• School environment is pleasant both in tangible and non-tangible terms – parents have positive approach towards the school.
• SMCs meet and discuss pertinent issues regularly at school, resource centres and districts of the working area.
• Parents are aware of school affairs and pay visit to schools regularly (at least once in a quarter).
• There are adequate children in the school – proportional to the inhabitants of the concerned school’s catchment.
• Parents/SMCs/Teachers have approached the job holder when a task to be done in school is beyond their capacity.
• Attendance of teachers and pupils is regular in schools.
• High standard is expressed in dealing with managerial issues – people should feel that this is a credible institution and work for THEIR interest.
• The staff and partners have annual, half yearly, quarterly, monthly implementation plans.
• Papers and data are maintained and are retrievable when needed.
• Performance of subordinate staff is high and staff are satisfied.
• Office is well kept and imitates the values we stand for (not lavish but efficient and effective, nothing appears unattended for long).
• Any visitor feels given due importance and counted.
• Financial books are updated.
• Assets, vehicles, equipment and machines are upkept and maintained.
• There is a constant supply of the material needed.
• CEPP as well as the Coordinator is known for the values and themes it/he/she stand(s) for.
• Flow of information to and from the field to other colleagues is effective (fewer surprises!).
• There is updated info on the events being organized by CEPP.
• Reports from the activities are produced in time and made available for processing.
• Quality of reports is good (i.e. reports can be compiled without asking more details and follow up questions).
• Old reports can be retrieved as and when needed.

Required Qualification & Experience

Key Qualification, Competencies and scope

• Bachelor’s Degree in Educational/Pedagogical with 1-3 year experience in teaching in schools preferably in lower grades. Bachelors in other fields with interest and commitment to education can also be considered. Masters is not automatically an added advantage.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Nepali and English, and fluency in spoken Maithili and/or Bajjika language is essential.
• Basic Computer Skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet and Email).
• Basic General Knowledge (to the level of Public Service Exams of similar level).
• Understanding of Nepal’s School Education System with historical understanding.
• Understanding of the concept of political-economy and global ecological concepts with commitment to the cause of deprived in reference to Madhesh in particular.
• Capacity to work in harsh living conditions (not applicable to physically challenged persons).
• Biking skill and two-wheeler driving license.
• Prepared to work in odd-hours based in the field. This is the residential field-based position.

Desired Personal Qualities

• Zeal to work for change.
• Good listening and observation with an attitude of leading by example – who does not mind getting their hands dirty.
• Self-motivated – taking initiative to take the job forward – creating working environment
• Good interpersonal skills and good understanding of diversity and discrimination with understanding of Nepal’s cultural and natural diversities.
• Understanding of the function and Role of Civil Society.
• Good understanding of environmental issues and adoption of its principles in work and life situations.
• Applicants of Madheshi origin will be given preference.

How to Apply

Interested candidates may submit a letter of motivation (mention expected salary) and CV with a photograph to the following info@schoolingnepal.org and arati@schoolingnepal.org stating on the subject line ‘Application for the Field Coordinator’ (exactly).

Deadline for application: 18th July, 2021 

Interviews with selected candidates may take place within two weeks after the deadline for applications. More than one interview and written assessments may be necessary.