Higher Education Capacity Specialist

Higher Education Program - Lebanon

World Learning is a leading international non-profit organization advancing education, systems strengthening, and inclusive development through programming around the world. We are seeking an experienced Higher Education Capacity Specialist for the anticipated USAID-funded Higher Education for Lebanese Development program focused on strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) to improve the quality of their programs and build relationships with the private sector to ensure that their graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce.

The Higher Education Capacity Specialist will oversee the design and implementation of higher education institutional capacity strengthening, including leading strategies and approaches to improve the institutional capacity of HEIs to improve the quality of academic programs. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic individual and a recognized leader in the higher education sector, preferably in Lebanon; will demonstrate knowledge of higher education sector work related to enhancing institutional effectiveness and quality assurance; and will have experience working with government and other relevant stakeholders.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project.

Responsibilities

• Provide management, oversight, and direction to the program's higher education capacity strengthening activities, including advising HEIs on international accreditation and supporting HEIs to achieve self-defined goals;
• Lead a capacity assessment of participating HEIs and support their development and implementation of capacity strengthening plans;
• Provide technical assistance to HEIs in areas of improvement identified including organizational and management systems, quality assurance, and partnership development;
• Engage stakeholders including HEIs, MEHE, the private sector, and others in dialogue on higher education capacity development, reform, and sustainability;
• Monitor and evaluate activities (track, monitor, evaluation and report on results) and adapt approaches as needed based on lessons learned;
• Contribute to work plans, reports, visibility products, and other program deliverables
• Provide technical guidance to the Chief of Party, program staff and consultants, and consortium partners to troubleshoot problems related to the project's technical approach and deliverables;
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

• Master's degree or Doctorate degree in higher education administration, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, education policy, organizational development, business management, or related field;
• A minimum of (7) seven years of demonstrated relevant experience in capacity strengthening of post-secondary institutions, preferably in Lebanon;
• Understanding of higher education landscape in Lebanon required; experience working in higher education administration, teaching, or student advising preferred; familiarity with university accreditation standards and processes preferred;
• Familiarity with relevant capacity strengthening tools including USAID's Human and Institutional Capacity Development tool and/or those targeted to higher education;
• Experience with USAID projects is a plus;
• Professional level of verbal and written fluency in English required and proficiency in Arabic and French required.
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status.
  
  

The World Learning Inc. Family

For more than 90 years, World Learning Inc. is a thriving global organization made up of The Experiment in International Living, the nation's most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students; School for International Training, offering accredited undergraduate study abroad programs through SIT Study Abroad and internationally focused master's degrees through SIT Graduate Institute; and World Learning, a global development and exchange nonprofit organization.

World Learning | worldlearning.org

World Learning has worked to create a more sustainable, peaceful, and just world. World Learning's education, development, and exchange programs help people find their voices, connect with their communities, strengthen the institutions that form the backbone of a democratic society, and build relationships across cultures. With World Learning's support, these emerging leaders tackle critical global issues like poverty, conflict, and inequality.

The Experiment in International Living | experiment.org

The Experiment in International Living is the nation's most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students. For more than 90 years, The Experiment has empowered young people to step off the beaten path, experience the world as a classroom, immerse themselves fully in another culture, and build the knowledge and skills needed to confront critical global issues.

SIT | sit.edu

School for International Training (SIT) was founded in the early 1960s as a training center for the first Peace Corps volunteers. For nearly 60 years, SIT has prepared students to be effective changemakers and global citizens through experiential education focused on the world's most critical global issues. SIT Study Abroad offers accredited summer and semester undergraduate programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs on multiple continents. SIT Graduate Institute offers global and hybrid certificates, master's, and doctoral degrees.

An organizational commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

We are a globally diverse community of staff, faculty, board members, alumni, students, and participants who believe that inclusive and equitable practices are at the heart of a peaceful and just world. Each of us strives to honor diverse voices and lived experiences, examine our own biases and privileges, actively work to address inequities in our structures, and foster a community of open dialogue. We are committed to acting with accountability, transparency, reciprocity, authenticity, and empathy.

World Learning is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action/veterans/ADA employer, committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.