Role overview
The Right to Education Initiative (RTE) is looking for a full-time programme manager to lead RTE’s work on Early Childhood Education and the right to pre-primary education, in line with RTE’s strategic plan.
The successful candidate will be responsible to implement RTE’s strategic objective regarding ECE & the right to pre-primary education which is to ‘lead global advocacy for the establishment of an international legal framework that recognizes free quality pre-primary education; provide legal and empirical information, advice and tools, including defining specific indicators and offering guidance for monitoring this issue.
This position includes possible travels to undertake field research and to attend work-related meetings and events worldwide.
Areas of responsibilities and key tasks
Strategic planning & fundraising
Develop and implement a sub-strategy for RTE’s work on early childhood education (ECE) based on a comprehensive analysis of the sector from a human rights perspective.
Support RTE’s Executive Director in raising new funding for RTE’s work on ECE from dedicated foundations and other sources.
Research, advocacy & capacity development
Conduct and/or coordinate legal research and analysis to support advocacy, including from UN Treaty Bodies concluding observations and court decisions.
Work in close collaboration with RTE’s advisers and others partners to build a network of various actors working on this issue, including child development experts, policy makers, lawyers, academics and activists to facilitate discussions on ECE from a human rights perspective, agree strategies to secure better legal recognition and strengthen advocacy for free quality pre-primary education for all.
Produce reports, papers, articles, brief and tools, including right to education indicators
Develop indicators and guiding questions for research to support the monitoring of ECE and pre-primary education as part of our wider activities related to monitoring and accountability.
Encourage civil society organisations (CSO) partners to monitor this issue and report about it at national, regional and international levels.
Coordinates pro bono projects and lawyers, commissions legal briefs with pro bono lawyers, and develops and manages relationships with law firms.
Track developments on ECE internationally.
Facilitate training workshops.
Networking & outreach
Work in close collaboration with key partners, including CSO, academic researchers, UNESCO, UNSR.
Advocate to key targets including States representatives in various fora, including UN Human Rights Council, GPE, OIF, UNESCO.
Represent RTE in events and meetings related to ECE, and deliver presentations when relevant.
Communication
Inform and raise awareness about this issue through our website, social media networks and e-bulletin, providing key information, including on the current legal framework applicable to ECE, relevant resources, news, blogs and useful links.
Write content for RTE’s website on this issue (webpage, blog, news).
Organise events, such as panels, seminars, roundtables.
Draft press release in collaboration with the communication manager.
Other
The role holder will from time to time be required to carry out any other duties that are within the scope of the job.
Candidate profile
We are looking for a highly skilled and enthusiastic Programme Manager to join our team and lead RTE’s work on ECE from a human rights perspective.
This is a new position and key role, and the successful candidate will have proven experience in managing programmes in the field of human rights and/ECE.
Aside from sharing our values, we are looking for someone who is comfortable working in a multicultural environment and who is happy to take on new tasks and support the team when needed.
We will provide the candidate with the opportunity to work as part of a small team of dedicated and passionate people and the real opportunity to shape the growth of the organization.
In addition to an expert, we are looking for someone who has excellent interpersonal skills.
The ideal candidate will have:
Education & qualifications
Postgraduate education in human rights law or in the field of ECE.
At least five years of experience working on human rights issues, ideally working on the right to education or economic, social and cultural rights.
Essential knowledge
Solid understanding of international human rights law with a background in economic, social and cultural rights.
Knowledge of ECE and pre-primary education.
Theoretical and practical knowledge of international human rights law.
Understanding of human rights-based monitoring, campaigning and advocacy strategies
Know-how
Excellent research and analytical skills, including significant experience in designing and implementing advocacy-oriented research and policy analysis.
Excellent written and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex legal information into accessible information for nonlegal professionals.
Experience of drafting, editing and presenting research reports and policy papers, including submissions to UN bodies.
Experience working with allies and partners across various civil society sectors, including social movements, NGOs, unions, academic institutions, policy makers, UN agencies and others.
Experience of supervising, managing and coordinating the work of others, including staff, consultants, and external partners such as pro bono lawyers.
Experience of planning, organising and prioritising work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines
Written and oral fluency in English is required; fluency in other major languages such as French, Spanish or Arabic is highly desirable.
Personal skills/qualities
Ability to think strategically.
Ability to speak publicly.
Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, including from distance, as well as external partners.
Flexibility and adaptability – can adapt to changing work priorities at short notice, take on the ideas of others, adapt own way of working.
Ability to manage relationships based on respect for each other and mutual trust.
Positive attitude.
Curiosity and creative thinking.
Open-minded, including open to constructive feedback.
Good time management and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work in an independent and autonomous way.
Willingness to learn new skills.
Willingness to “pitch in” and support colleagues outside the parameters of the job description where necessary
Status & location
Full time position, 35 hours a week.
One-year contract with possibility of extension, depending on funding.
Our office is based in London, with flexibility to work from home. Working from another country can be considered.
Salary range
£35,000 – £39,500 gross per year.
