Job Announcement: Senior-Level Consultant to Direct the Global Coalition for Protecting Education from Attack (GCPEA)

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Extended Deadline to Apply: January 27, 2012

Background
The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) was established in 2010 by organizations from the fields of education in emergencies and conflict-affected fragile states, higher education, protection, international human rights, and international humanitarian law that were concerned about on-going attacks on educational institutions, their students, and staff in countries affected by conflict and insecurity. The mission of the GCPEA is to catalyse enhanced prevention of attacks on education; effective response to attacks; improved knowledge and understanding; better monitoring and reporting; stronger international norms and standards; and increased accountability. The Steering Committee of GCPEA is made up of the following international organizations: Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA), Education Above All (EAA), Education International (EI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Save the Children International (SCI), UNESCO, UNHCR, and UNICEF. The Institute of International Education (IIE) currently serves as GCPEA’s fiscal and administrative agent.

Position
With the Institute of International Education (IIE) as the administrative agent, the Coalition is seeking a highly qualified, experienced, and senior-level Consultant for a 12-month leadership position, based in New York, to direct GCPEA. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the coalition in its advocacy and programmatic work and provide strong organizational and management leadership for putting GCPEA on firm footing as an international coalition, leading and advancing the coalition’s global agenda, and executing the decisions of the Steering Committee.

Primary Responsibilities and Tasks Performed

1. Work closely with GCPEA Executive Committee and Steering Committee members to develop and implement the coalition’s strategic goals and priority activities.
2. Direct and provide technical expertise in project implementation and monitoring. Projects may include advocacy, outreach, events management (conferences, roundtables, seminars), research, report writing and editing, and other activities.
3. Direct and provide technical expertise in the design and execution of a fundraising strategy that includes proposals, events, and stewardship of individual donors.
4. Act as a spokesperson and represent the organization to external audiences through media relations, participation and public speaking at conferences and forums, and advocacy actions to implement GCPEA’s advocacy plan.
5. Build and manage key relationships with affiliated organizations, various subcommittees and working groups, other strategic partner organizations or coalitions, and donors.
6. Plan and implement GCPEA’s communications and media strategy, including web-based and social media. Ensure that the coalition website is managed and updated.

Duration: 12 months with the possibility of extension (beginning April 1, 2012).

Work Base: Primarily, the consultant will be based in space shared with the Human Rights Watch Offices in New York City, working with IIE in consultation with the coalition’s chair.

Key Skills, Technical Background, and Experience Required

1. Broad knowledge and understanding of NGO executive management, including: Demonstrated leadership skills: ability to provide leadership, direction, and drive for results, with a minimum of five years senior management experience; demonstrated management skills: a minimum of five years’ experience managing areas of operation, including supervision of staff; good understanding of budget planning and oversight; demonstrated track record raising funds, maintaining donor relationships, and donor reporting and compliance.
2. Knowledge and experience in: international development specifically related to education in emergency/conflict situations, higher education, or international humanitarian action, ideally with a focus on protecting education in armed conflict; or international humanitarian law and human rights law, especially in the area of right to education and children’s rights and protection; and advocacy and policy development.
3. Experience working with and coordinating activities by diverse actors and organizations including UN and other international organizations. Understanding of and/or experience coordinating coalitions or other membership organizations.
4. Outstanding verbal and written skills, with demonstrated abilities in public speaking, writing and editing reports, articles, and other documents. Fluency in English is mandatory; working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
5. A minimum of a relevant MA or advanced legal degree (JD or LLM), or a BA with at least 8 years relevant senior field-based experience.
6. Willingness to undertake business travel (<15% time).
7. Authorization to work in the United States.
8. A strong commitment to protecting education from attack.

Documents Required by Applicants

Applicants should forward:

1. Cover letter;
2. Resume/curriculum vitae;
3. Short unedited writing sample of not more than 5 pages; and
4. Names and contact details of three professional references.

Submit via email to gcpea@protectingeducation.org with subject: "GCPEA Director Application." Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The extended deadline to apply is January 27, 2012.