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The Education Specialist, P3 is based in a Country office in the Basic Education and Adolescent Development (BEAD) Section reporting to the Adolescent Development Manager, P4.

The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education programmes/projects to facilitate the management and delivery of results on strengthening education outcomes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for refugees and other marginalized adolescents through formal and non-formal pathways.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results-based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

In the execution of this role, the incumbent will provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues on all aspects of programming and implementation to enable colleagues to achieve programme objectives. He/she will provide advice to the Adolescent Development Programme Manager in developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurement in education and skilling of adolescents through formal and non-formal pathways. He/she will provide support to coordinate work programme monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards, as well as report critical issues for timely action.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities in the covid-19 and refugee humanitarian context.

 Support to programme development and planning

1. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.
2. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
3. Networking and partnership-building
4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Programme development and planning with a particular focus on the second decade, OOSC and skills development. 

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes to ensure that current and comprehensive data on education issues, including education humanitarian response, is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions 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.
• Help the supervisor set priorities, strategies, design, and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.
• Ensure timely and quality implementation of UNICEF programme interventions under a joint programming initiative PROSPECT with UNHCR, ILO, IFC and the World Bank in refugee hosting districts in Uganda as well as UNICEF-implemented component of the EU-funded action “Gender for Development Uganda” (G4DU).
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentation 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, including education refugee response.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes, ensuring integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and the achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• 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 of education programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and determine the required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify programme management gaps, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Monitor programmes/projects actively through field visits and surveys, exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and make 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 organizational rules, regulations/procedures 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.

3.       Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on issues to support programme management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• Arrange/coordinate the availability of technical experts with the Regional Office/HQ 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.

  4.      Networking and partnership building

• • 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 reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes,
  • Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fundraising for education programmes.
  • Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions on education and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

5.       Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• 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.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field. Candidates with equivalent work experience and a BA degree can be also considered.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or education research- particularly in the field of education for OOSC, girls’ education and skilling of adolescents and youths is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English (including excellent writing skills) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others,

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. Eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply for this position.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.