TUNTAS Education Specialist

Subject to donor approval

Location: Sidoarjo or Malang District, East Java, Indonesia, with regular support to program operations with our implementing partners in Bogor and Depok (West Java)

ROLE PURPOSE

The TUNTAS Education Specialist is the program’s technical education expert. The role supports the Program Manager in setting strategic direction, maintaining technical quality, and making sure the program is implemented effectively. It ensures that program investments align with the program design, agreed education quality standards, national education policies, and DBS Foundation commitments. The Education Specialist works closely with the Education Technical Advisor to support the program team on the quality and effectiveness of delivery.

The role supports the design and delivery of an integrated package of technical assistance to district and provincial governments. The aim is to prevent school dropout and improve educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people by:

• Strengthening the delivery of life skills learning
• Supporting the implementation of school-based Early Warning System (EWS) tools for risk identification, along with education-focused case management
• Enhancing recovery learning and re-engagement pathways through Community Learning Centres (Pusat Kegiatan Belajar Masyarakat/PKBM)
• Expanding access to inclusive, quality, and relevant learning through youth empowerment, school and community engagement, and sustainable education systems

The program covers four districts in the two provinces with the highest concentration of dropout risk: Bogor and Depok (West Java), and Sidoarjo and Malang (East Java). The Education Specialist works with program implementation teams, MEAL staff, government counterparts, schools, PKBM, and other implementing partners.

The role keeps the TUNTAS program design consistent and connected with other Save the Children initiatives in Indonesia, and aligned with the DBS Foundation, to maximize impact and support lasting system change. The position requires deep expertise in the Indonesian education system, both formal and non-formal. It also requires proven experience delivering large-scale capacity building at the local level and a strong grounding in adult learning and systems-strengthening approaches.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Technical Support and Program Quality

• Serve as the technical lead for the TUNTAS program, providing strategic direction and quality assurance across all education components.
• Under the direction of the Program Manager, ensure the quality of program design and implementation, and the continuous improvement of the TUNTAS program.
• Systematically integrate GEDSI, disability inclusion, climate change, child protection, and child participation into program design and implementation.
• Make sure program design aligns with national policies and donor commitments.
• Provide strategic advice and support to partner staff so that partners meet education objectives and goals.
• Work closely with the National Education Technical Advisor to provide technical assistance and direction, so that all program implementation is consistent and meets quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to support the sustainability of education initiatives.
• Support the Program Manager in developing a Detailed Implementation Plan for all program areas. Ensure on-time delivery that meets the quality framework and standards, including monitoring and evaluation, and that program approaches work together.
• Raise any implementation issues with the line manager, with recommendations for resolution.
• Coordinate external technical assistance visits from Jakarta-based and international staff, as well as the donor.
• Support the Program Manager in ensuring timely and accurate narrative and financial reporting to the National Office and Save the Children Members.

Partnership Management

• Under the direction of the Program Manager, work closely with district-level implementing partners to ensure high-quality, on-time program delivery.
• Ensure implementing partners submit high-quality monthly narrative and financial reports on time.
• Under the direction of the Program Manager, develop capacity-strengthening plans for partners, and provide technical support to build their capacity.
• Lead joint monitoring visits with implementing partners. Capture lessons learned and document how the partnership develops.
• Initiate and maintain collaboration and networks with diverse partners, including local civil society, strategic partners, and coalitions.
• Maintain relationships with local authorities, implementing partners, and other key stakeholders at district and provincial level.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Conduct regular visits to TUNTAS implementation areas, and gather learning and feedback to inform planning for the program team, local government, and related stakeholders.
• Hold regular meetings with local partners and monitor how they carry out planned activities to achieve outputs and outcomes.
• Carry out education quality assurance visits in TUNTAS program areas to check that education minimum standards are followed, and advise where standards need to change.
• Provide technical input to the monitoring and evaluation of the Education Implementation Plan, and help local government and stakeholders track and measure education indicators against it.
• Support local government and related stakeholders in assessing education needs, covering both soft and physical infrastructure.
• Provide technical assistance and take an active part in annual education program assessments.
• Collect and analyze data to inform decisions and improve the effectiveness of sustainability strategies.
• Work with the MEAL team to develop program logframes, indicators, implementation plans, M&E frameworks, and related tools, including quality data collection tools and analysis of key program and project indicators.
• Lead the development of program research and learning agendas as required by the organization and donor.
• Manage knowledge: improve and maintain the tools and documents partners use in implementation, store learning materials and documentation, and share lessons from the field on time with the National Education Advisor, internal and external stakeholders, and children themselves. Facilitate cross-learning across education networks.

Organizational Culture

• Act as a role model and help build an organizational culture that reflects our values and dual mandate, and promotes accountability and high performance.

Emergency Response

• Support project activities and financial and budget management when an emergency response is needed in any area.

Additional Responsibilities

• The duties and responsibilities above are not exhaustive. The post holder may be asked to carry out additional duties that are reasonable for their level of skills and experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Education Management, Early Childhood Education, or a related field; a Master’s degree is highly preferred
• Minimum 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience designing and managing education programs, ideally focused on foundational learning and teacher professional development
• Strong knowledge of Indonesia’s education system (formal and non-formal) and policy environment at national and sub-national levels
• Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, development partners, and civil society organizations in the education sector
• Experience working with an international NGO or similar organization
• Extensive experience managing complex donor compliance, with solid knowledge of financial and budgetary control
• Extensive experience managing partnerships and strengthening implementing partners’ capacity through coaching and technical oversight
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and develop teams
• Experience integrating cross-cutting priorities such as GEDSI, child protection, and climate change education into program design and implementation
• Strong understanding of project cycle management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options, and think and plan strategically
• Fluency in written and spoken Bahasa Indonesia and strong written and spoken English, including experience producing high-quality technical reports and presentations
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to build partnerships, facilitate collaboration, and represent programs in high-level forums
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to field locations
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles, including child rights, rights-based approaches, safeguarding, and accountable partnerships

Save the Children encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.