Education Program Officer (NOB), Fixed Term, # 00132867, Sahrawi Refugee Camps

Qualifications of Education Program Officer (NOB):

• Location: Tindouf
• Vacancy No: 583224
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
• Deadline: 10/12/2025

Brief details about Education Program Officer (NOB):

About

Information about the organization that has offered the job:

Since 1986, UNICEF Algeria has been supporting Sahrawi refugees in five camps near Tindouf.

The extreme desert conditions and limited possibilities for self-reliance have made refugees heavily dependent on humanitarian aid.

As part of the 2023–2027 Cooperation Program with the Algerian Government, addressing the needs of Sahrawi refugee children and families remains a major priority. UNICEF’s response focuses on immunization, maternal and child health and nutrition, inclusive education, child protection, and social participation. These interventions are carried out in coordination with UN and humanitarian partners through the Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan (SRRP), with an emphasis on technical support, capacity building, and the provision of essential goods.

In the education sector, the Sahrawi Education Authority operates a school system that provides learning opportunities for approximately 40,000 children and adolescents in the five Sahrawi refugee camps, from preschool through lower secondary school. More than 2,000 children are enrolled in five Quranic schools (one per camp), and 323 children with disabilities attend 10 special education centers. Overall enrollment rates reflect near gender parity, with slight disparities: boys are slightly more numerous in preschool, while girls are more represented in primary and lower secondary school. Upon completion of this cycle, students are directed to secondary boarding schools in Algeria, fully funded by the Algerian government under arrangements with the Sahrawi education authorities.

The need to ensure education for children in the camps remains considerable, and the sector faces numerous challenges related to funding shortfalls. These include a sharp drop in school attendance after primary school (only 51% continue to lower secondary school), overcrowded and under-resourced classes, and a high dropout rate, with fewer than 70% of children completing primary school and only 53% passing final exams. Opportunities for vocational training and alternative learning and skills development for adolescents and youth remain very limited. These challenges are even more pronounced when it comes to ensuring inclusive education for children with disabilities.

United Nations agencies and other humanitarian actors support the delivery of education services within the framework of the five-year education strategy (2021–2025) developed in 2021 by the Sahrawi education authority with the support of UNICEF. They coordinate their interventions through the Education Coordination Group (ECG), which brings together Sahrawi authorities (Department of Education, Red Crescent), UN agencies (UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR), donors (ECHO, AECID, AICS), as well as national and international NGOs (AFAD, CISP, MUNDUBAT, OXFAM, ANARASD, TGH) and the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM).

To reflect the strong humanitarian focus of the current Country Programme Document (CPD), UNICEF has established a field office in Tindouf, co-located with WFP and WHO in premises provided by the government. The team includes a Head of Field Office (NOC), an Education in Emergencies Officer (NOB), a Health and Nutrition Officer (NOB), a Programme Associate (GS6), and a Driver/Administrative Assistant (GS3).

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Head of Field Office (CFO) in Tindouf and in close collaboration with the Education Specialist based in Algiers, the Education Officer supports the implementation of the Education component of the humanitarian program led by UNICEF Algeria in the refugee camps located in Tindouf, in accordance with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan.

The Education Officer ensures the quality management of the educational program, in order to guarantee the achievement of learning outcomes as well as equitable and inclusive education, in line with UNICEF policies and procedures as well as the conditions set by donors.

He/she contributes to the achievement of results in accordance with plans, allocations, results-based management approaches and methodologies, as well as UNICEF Strategic Plans, performance standards and the accountability framework.

Summary of main functions/responsibilities:

Summary of main functions and responsibilities:

1. Support for program development and planning
2. Program management, monitoring and achievement of results
3. Technical and operational support for the implementation of the program
4. Networking and partnership development
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
6. Support for program development and planning

• Contribute to the preparation and updating of situation analysis for the development, design and management of education-related programs/projects. Conduct research and report on development trends (economic, social, health, etc.) and collect data to support program development, management, monitoring, evaluation and achievement of program results.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of sectoral objectives, strategies and results-based planning, through research, collection, analysis and dissemination of information on education and other related themes for development planning and priority setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support at all stages of the programming cycle, by carrying out and administering various technical processes related to the program, preparing materials and documents, and adhering to organizational processes and management systems, in order to support program planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation.
• Contribute to the preparation, design and updating of the Rolling Work Plan (RWP) for the humanitarian program and the UNICEF Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) funding appeal, in line with the five-year education strategy and the Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan (SRRP).
• Ensure close collaboration and constant dialogue with education partners, and lead the Education Coordination Group (ECG) by convening meetings, disseminating minutes and ensuring UNICEF participation in SRRP forums and workshops.
• Contribute to the development of programmatic documents with CSO partners, in accordance with HACT procedures, via the UNPP platform and etools.
• In collaboration with the Advocacy, Communication and Partnerships team, strengthen relationships with donors, by developing program proposals and reports for the education sector.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Ensure quality control and monitoring of the implementation of the education program, in accordance with KPIs, HACT policy and RAM system, in order to improve performance using monitoring indicators and achieve expected results for the benefit of Sahrawi refugee children.
• Develop robust planning and management of activities, budgets, supplies, expertise, partnerships with CSOs, to ensure quality management of the education program.
• Ensure effective financial and budgetary management of the education program, in accordance with the conditions set by donors.
• Ensure the implementation of the HACT action plan and the timely settlement of cash advances (DCTs), without exceeding 6 months, within the framework of the education program.
• Work closely with internal colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues.
• Propose solutions to common challenges encountered during program implementation and submit reports to alert managers and stakeholders to prompt high-level interventions/decisions. Maintain reports and evaluations to facilitate consultation and/or capitalize on lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual sector reviews (humanitarian program and SRRP) with the government, UN agencies and other partners, and prepare results reports for follow-up by management and stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of sector program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify their compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations and procedures, as well as donor commitments, accountability and integrity standards. Report identified issues for prompt resolution by management/stakeholders, and follow up on outstanding issues.
• Prepare preliminary inputs for education program reports (RAM, MENA HAC, Sit-Rep, SITAN, donor reports and other documents).

3. Technical and operational support for the implementation of the program

• Conduct frequent and regular field visits and surveys, share information with stakeholders to assess progress, and escalate issues requiring resolution to the appropriate managers. Report on critical issues, blockages, and potential challenges to enable timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system agencies and other country office partners/donors, on the application and understanding of UNICEF education policies, strategies, processes and good practices, in order to support programme implementation, operations and achievement of results.

4. Networking and partnership development

• Establish and maintain close and effective working partnerships with local authorities and humanitarian actors, through active sharing of information and knowledge, to facilitate program implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain educational program results. This also includes enhanced interaction with the Head of Education in Algiers, responsible for relations with the host government, and the development of synergies between development activities in Algeria and the humanitarian response in Tindouf.
• Strengthen partnerships with humanitarian NGOs and establish quality collaborations to improve learning outcomes for children.
• Draft communication and information materials for country office advocacy to raise awareness, build partnerships and alliances, and support resource mobilization for education programs.
• Participate in inter-agency (UN) programming meetings and events to collaborate with inter-agency partners in SRRP operational planning and education program/project preparation, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies in the SRRP development and planning process.
• Conduct research on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for funding and partnership development purposes, including organizing visits and information sessions for donors.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Contribute to the identification, capitalization, synthesis and sharing of lessons learned in order to support knowledge development and capacity building of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and achievement of concrete and sustainable results for programs.
• Conduct research and report on best practices and the most innovative approaches for development planning, knowledge production and the implementation of appropriate systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to improve the skills of partners and stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…

Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, sociology or any other relevant technical field.

Professional Experience:
A minimum of two years of professional experience in educational planning, management and/or research is required.
Experience working in a humanitarian response setting is considered an asset.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Language requirements: Fluency in French and Arabic is required. Fluency in professional English is considered an asset.

Desirable:

Experience in the humanitarian field desirable

Experience working with diverse stakeholders or multi-stakeholder partnerships desirable.

Experience in a refugee context is an asset

For each child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values ​​of care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Familiarize yourself with our charter of values: UNICEF values

The skills required by UNICEF for this position are…

1. Establishes and maintains partnerships. (1)
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethics.(1)
3. Strives to achieve results to have an impact.(1)
4. Innovate and embrace change.(1)
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity.(1)
6. Think and act strategically.(1)
7. Works collaboratively with others.(1)

Familiarize yourself with our skills framework and its different levels

UNICEF is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion among its workforce and encourages all candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to join the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible work arrangements. 

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF committed to increasing the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodations to meet the work-related support needs of applicants and employees with disabilities. In addition, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are a candidate with a disability who requires digital accessibility assistance to complete the online application, please submit your request via the accessibility email button on the UNICEF careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF .

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18 years of age). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on behavior incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination based on sex, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic origin, or disability. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will therefore be subject to rigorous reference and background checks and must adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be asked to submit supporting documentation related to their disability in confidence.

Appointments to UNICEF are subject to a medical certificate. Visa issuance by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). If you are selected for a position with UNICEF, you must either be vaccinated as required or obtain a medical exemption from the relevant UN department. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks :

In accordance with Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male Algerian nationals are encouraged to apply.

Government employees being considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government position before accepting an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of employment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or if necessary vaccination requirements are not met, within a reasonable time for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge processing fees at any stage of its recruitment, selection and hiring processes (i.e. application stage, interview stage, validation stage or appointment and training). UNICEF will not request applicants’ banking information.

All UNICEF vacancies are advertised and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will proceed to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing duties at the position level in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding talent pool, may be selected, if suitable for the position, without evaluation of other candidates.

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