Apply: UNICEF Education Specialist

By Development Diaries
November 2, 2021

Deadline: 12 November, 2021

Location: Niamey, Niger

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking to fill the role of Education Specialist.

Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

Responsibilities

Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes to ensure that current and comprehensive data on education issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes with strong lens on equity and inclusion including gender and disability inclusion in complex and volatile contexts
Help supervisor set priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans
Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery
Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of education programmes
Formulate, design and prepare programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s strategic plans and country programme and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies
Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM)
Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval
Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results
Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonisation of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated
Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector on education programmes
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results
Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme management
Identify lessons learnt and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals
Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution
Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organisational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources
Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress
Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education and related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results
Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with regional office/headquarters to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process
Participate in education programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support
Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use
Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes
Prepare communication and information materials for country office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fundraising for education programmes
Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate interagency (UNCT) discussions on education and related issues to collaborate with interagency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects, ensuring organisational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting
Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results
Research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management
Assess, institutionalise and share best practices and knowledge learnt
Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects
Organise and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects

Requirements

Advanced university degree in Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field
Five years, minimum, of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education
Experience working in a developing country is an asset
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organisation is an asset
Fluency in French and proficiency in English
Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

To apply and for more information, click here.