EXTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT
TITLE: Senior Project Officer
Contract Type: National
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Program Implementation
LOCATION: Mae Hong Son/Mae Sot with regular travel to refugee camps
CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed term (with possibility of extension)
ROLE PURPOSE:
Save the Children supports the provision of basic education across nine refugee camps along the Thai–Myanmar border in partnership with three key education partners: the Karenni Education Department (KnED), which oversees the education services in the 2 Karenni Refugee Committee (KnRC) administered-camps, and the Karen Refugee Committee Education Entity (KRCEE) and the Office of Camp Education Entity (OCEE) which together oversee the education services in the 7 Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) administered-camps. The Senior Education Officer provides technical and operational leadership for refugee education initiatives under two key projects: "Inclusive Futures: Phased Integration of Refugee Services and Economic Inclusion in Thailand’s System" and "Sustaining safe and inclusive education for conflict‑affected children in Rakhine and along the Thailand cross‑border." Working closely with the Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator, the post holder supports the planning, monitoring, reporting, and implementation of the project interventions across nine refugee camps. This role focuses on coaching the Project Officer and Project Assistants in ensuring the quality of the services delivered that consider the safety and meaningful participation of the children and staff. Additionally, the Senior Education Officer plays a key role in liaising with local education partners, troubleshooting implementation challenges, and using evidence and feedback from children, teachers, and communities to continuously drive program quality and relevance.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator
Staff reporting to this post: This is a remote leadership position responsible for managing a diverse, cross-functional team across the Thailand-Myanmar border. The post holder will provide distance management and guidance to
Direct: Project Officer and Project Assistant
Indirect: 1 Consultant for curriculum mapping and alignment, 9 Department of Learning and Encouragement (DOLE) staff, and 11 camp-based staff supporting the rolling out of Thai Language in Basic Education schools located in nine refugee camps along Thailand-Myanmar border.
Budget responsibilities: Support the Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator
in overseeing the project budget to ensure efficient financial management and resource allocation across all field interventions.
Role Dimensions: In this role, coordination with KnED is a key priority, requiring close engagement to support planning, implementation, and ongoing programme delivery. At the same time, the position will work closely with KRCEE based on assignments and priorities set by the Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator.
The post holder will work closely with the Karenni Education Department and various school stakeholders across these camps to ensure the delivery of safe, inclusive, and high-quality education services for refugee children. The role also plays an important part in strengthening partners’ technical competencies, ensuring quality delivery of education services, and supporting capacity development.
Additionally, post holder will collaborate with and support the Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator in overseeing the project budget to ensure efficient financial management and resource allocation across all field interventions. The role requires sound judgement and timely decision‑making, particularly in addressing priority and urgent matters to ensure continuity and effectiveness of programme implementation.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Project implementation
- Provide inputs to the Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator for planning and reporting on Thai Language teaching, curriculum mapping and alignment, and capacity building for partners and head teachers using the PRIME system to track progress, indicators and key deliverables.
- Ensure consistent adherence to project compliance requirements, including finance procedures, documentation standards, and proper filing systems, to maintain audit readiness and organisational accountability.
- Actively support the planning cycle for Thai Language teaching, curriculum mapping and alignment, and capacity building for partners and head teacher’s activities, including annual and quarterly planning, review and adjustment processes based on implementation progress, emerging needs, and contextual changes
- Participate in regular team meetings providing updates from the field and proposing solutions to implementation challenges.
Education quality support
- Provide support to KnED, KRCEE, OCEE and head teachers in related to the effective implementation of education activities, develop a good understanding of the project activities as well as clarify unclear activities for smooth delivery.
- Engage and co-ordinate with Education Advisor in related to Thai Language training modules, curriculum alignment in collaboration with the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) or/and DOLE in order to ensure implementation plan for these activities are in place and able to be delivered according to standards.
- Work with the project officer and education team, to provide - support to the consultants working on curriculum mapping and alignment, DOLE, OBEC and camp-based staff teaching Thai-language. Troubleshoot and help resolve education issues raised by trainers, teachers, partners, children, DOLE, OBEC staff, and camp-based staff in co-ordination with the project officers and project assistants.
- Conduct regular Thai language classroom teaching observations and monitor the implementation of new materials developed in alignment with the Thai Curriculum agreed to be used in the in nine camps.
- Review education activity reports with support from Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team before submitting to Strategy, Programme, Quality and Impact (SPDQI) team according to agreed standards
- Support the MEAL team during field monitoring visits, including data collection plan, verification and follow-up on agreed action points, and be responsible for updating the Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT) tracker in PRIME.
- Work with MEAL team and Education Advisor to provide support to Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator for quality project report.
Partnership management and support
- Collaborate with KnED to ensure timely reporting and payments.
- Provide administrative and coordination support to KnED for the implementation of education services in the 2 KnRC-administered camps. Undertake regular monitoring of education services implemented in the 2 KnRC – administered camps.
- Support the design and delivery of additional training, coaching, and resources for partner staff as needed.
- Represent Save the Children in the camps, maintaining strong, respectful relationships with camp‑based education authorities, school leaders and community stakeholders.
Administration and financial support
- Support the stipend distribution process in all the 9 camps, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proper documentation in line with organisational procedures.
- Contribute to quarterly financial planning and budget phasing that align with implementation plans and funding requirements.
- Ensure proper management of cash advances, including timely requests, appropriate use, and accurate reconciliation in accordance with Save the Children’s finance policies and timelines.
- Develop and maintain monthly work plans, ensuring all required administrative documentation (e.g. Travel Authorisation Requests, etc.) is completed accurately and submitted on time to support smooth implementation of the programme.
Internal coordination and support
- Ensure camp partners are informed and prepared for visits from other Save the Children staff and visitors.
- Participate actively in monthly team meetings, sharing key updates, challenges and learning from the field.
- Participate or represent in Education Sector Committee (ESC) or other Committee for Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (CCSDPT) Work Group (WG) meetings on behalf of the Refugee Education and Protection Program Coordinator when required
Other responsibilities
- The post holder may be required to undertake other duties and specific tasks outside the scope of this job description, as agreed with the line manager
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice):
Accountability:
- Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
- Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
- Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
- Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in relevant qualification in Education.
- Five years professional working experience, development sector preferred
- Knowledge of education technical issues such as teacher training, curriculum development, assessment preferred.
- Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in teaching, learning and education
- At least 5-7 years professional working experience in development education program
- At least 3 years classroom teaching experience
- Ability and experience in developing teaching and learning resources and lesson plan
- Ability and experience in facilitating training for teachers
- Ability and willingness to work in a remote area and travel in the 9 camps along the Thai - Myanmar border
- Knowledge of education systems of refugee along Thailand – Myanmar border
- Ability to speak and write Thai, English and Karen or Burmese languages
- Demonstrated excellent team player, self – directed
- Ability and experience writing activity reports
- Proven ability to work independently
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrated administrative skills
- Demonstrated budgeting skills
Desirable
- Experience in child safeguarding and protection in schools
- Experience working in low resource context
- Experience in delivering education in emergency
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience
Equal Opportunities
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Save the Children International (SCI) Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Interested candidates should apply under this link: Senior Project Officer - SCI Career Site Careers and submit a motivational letter, comprehensive CV, expected salary and details of at least 3 referees.
Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
“We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse”
