Turkey: Higher Education Project Officer – Turkey (Turkish nationals only)

SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their post-conflict society into prosperity. SPARK is a dynamic and growing not-for-profit development organization with over 80 staff members that helps young entrepreneurs to start or grow their own businesses.SPARK is achieving its mission by organizing business plan competitions, business skills training, SME coaching and mentoring, business incubation, SME financing, intensive higher vocational summer courses, curriculum development and quality assurance at universities and higher vocational education institutions.

SPARK is currently looking to fill the position of:

Project Officer, Higher Education – Gaziantep (Turkey) The Project Officer (PO) will be assigned to work on implementation of the large structural programme addressing educational needs of Syrian Students living in Turkey. PO will be based in Gaziantep.

Main tasks and Responsibilities:

· Coordinate SPARK Scholarships with Universities and Higher Education Institutions in Turkey;

· Ensure smooth progress of organizational and logistical matters linked to the project;

· Establish and maintain contacts with relevant stakeholders from the educational sector;

· Maintain relations with the cooperation partners, especially local universities and educational CSOs;

· Provide organizational and logistical support for other missions and ongoing activities in the region;

· Main focal point and support point for scholarship holders;

· Other key administrative tasks.

Requirements and Skills:

· Practical experience in a prior comparable position is an advantage;

· Thorough knowledge of the political and economic situation in Turkey and MENA;

· Proven organizational skills and the ability to work independently;

· Excellent network abilities

· Accurate, structured and precise;

· Flexible and responsible;

· Fluent English and Turkish (essential);

· Knowledge of Arabic is an asset;

· Strong writing and reporting skills;

· Good communication and social skills and the ability to work in a multicultural setting.

· Please note that this position is for Turkish nationals only.

SPARK Offers:

· Remuneration according to the experience;

· International and dynamic working experience;

· Training opportunities;

· Full-time contract for 12 months (3 months probation period).

This position is conditional on expected donor approval.

If you are interested, please send your letter of motivation and your CV (in English) to vacancy[at]spark-online.org with Reference: Project Officer – Turkey. Deadline for application is November 2, 2016.