CONTEXT AND DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES UNHCR’s new Education 2030 Strategy is anchored in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) guiding principles that aim to ensure inclusion of displaced populations within national education systems. The Global Compact on Refugees, states that “in line with national education laws, policies and planning, and in support of host countries, States and relevant stakeholders will contribute resources and expertise to expand and enhance the quality and inclusiveness of national education systems to facilitate access by refugee and host community children, adolescents and youth.” UNHCR therefore seeks to support these communities by focusing on system-strengthening interventions to ensure that all learners receive quality, relevant, and inclusive education that prepares them to fully engage in the economic, social, and cultural world. The implementation of the Instant Network Schools (INS) is designed to adopt a consultative process between UNHCR, relevant line ministries, implementing partners and the refugee community to ensure that it is aligned to national policies to ensure sustainability, alignment with the GCR, and is an effective learning resource for refugees and the communities that host them.
Since 2013, Vodafone Foundation and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have partnered to enhance the quality of education in refugee camps. Working with UNHCR’s Innovation and Education Teams, Vodafone Foundation’s technical expertise and core capabilities were leveraged to codesign the Instant Network Schools (INS) programme. Over the years, the INS became a flagship programme helping to shape the future of UNHCR’s Connected Education approach. It has defined a holistic approach that has had significant impact within the schools in refugee camps. The INS is helping to ensure that refugees, and the communities that host them, have access to accredited, quality, and relevant learning opportunities. As of 2020, Vodafone Foundation and UNHCR have deployed 36 Instant Network Schools. Since its inception, over 86,000 refugee students and 1,000 teachers benefitted from the programme across eight refugee camps in Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. By 2025, 255 new INS schools will be opened across 6 countries (Kenya, Mozambique, Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania, DRC and Turkey). Vodafone Foundation & UNHCR are aiming for a staged roll-out over the next six years (2020 – 2025) to ensure adequate engagement and buy-in at all levels of government and private sector for long term sustainability and integration into local systems. The Project Manager – Instant Network School (INS) is a member of Egypt’s Education team and reports to the Education Officer with support supervision from the Assistant Representative for Operations. He/She is responsible for the day-to-day implementation, operation and monitoring of the Instant Network Schools programme in Egypt. Working closely with the UNHCR offices and educators in public schools, the Programme Manager is responsible for the effective and efficient establishment and management of all INS-related activities. He/She will work closely with Egypt Ministry of Education to ensure endorsements from the Egyptian government. The Programme Manager will manage and coordinate a team of INS coaches (one per school) who will act as school-based focal points, ensure proper use of the INS facilities and programme buyin. In 2020, it is expected that 9 INS schools will be opened in Egypt. The position will be based in Cairo and will involve frequent travels to partner schools.