ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated to protect and assist men, women and children forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict or persecution. UNHCR is dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people. The Agency provides protection, shelter, food, water, medical care and other life-saving assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers around the world.

The dream of most refugees is to return home. If and where possible, UNHCR helps refugees make this dream a reality. When refugees cannot go back home, we work to find solutions for them, to rebuild their lives in another country. Since its formation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1950, UNHCR has helped millions of refugees restart their lives and has received the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

JOB SUMMARY

B

Family

Family

NOD

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2024-12-01

August 19, 2024

Senior Education Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Education Officer will support and oversee, the roll-out of Refugee Education 2030, the Refugee Education Strategy.

This will be done in line with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), which calls on States and relevant Stakeholders to contribute resources and expertise to expand and enhance the quality and inclusiveness of national education systems to facilitate access by refugee and host community children and youth to primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Providing inclusive and equitable quality education is central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Senior Education Officer will ensure UNHCR’s programming is in line with the SDGs, particularly SDG4.
Leveraging the growing global momentum, UNHCR is working to translate the objectives of the GCR into impactful results, including through follow-up on pledges made through the 2019 Global Refugee Forum.

Contributing to this global roll-out of the GCR, Education Officers, collaborating across Country Offices, Regional Bureaux and the Education Section in the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS), will provide technical support to relevant UNHCR Country Office(s) and partners to advocate for and implement the objectives of Refugee Education 2030:

1.

Promote equitable and sustainable inclusion in national education systems for refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, stateless and internally displaced persons.
2. Foster safe enabling environments that support learning.
3.

Enable learners to use their education toward sustainable futures.

The incumbent will provide leadership and technical support for UNHCR regarding education and advocate on all issues related to education programmes and strategic directions. S/he will maintain close contact with Country Office(s) on the overall education policy direction of UNHCR and on the adaptation of Refugee Education 2030 to individual country contexts, as well as providing technical support (on early childhood, learning achievement, primary education, accelerated education, secondary education, non-formal education, scholarships and tertiary education, education in emergencies etc.) to all staff, including senior management, as well as to those representing education issues on behalf of UNHCR.
Depending on the location, this will require maintaining close contact with HQ, Regional Bureaux and Country Office(s) plus Divisions, particularly the DRS, on the overall education policy direction of UNHCR, on monitoring and assessing impact, on provision of external technical assistance, and on liaising with partner agencies.

In exercising these responsibilities, the Senior Education Officer oversees the development of guidance and strategies to address particular situations arising from different contexts in the field.

The incumbent is normally supervised by the Senior Protection Officer, Senior Programme Officer, or Deputy Representative, depending on the office context.
The incumbent will ensure that consistent and technically sound advice/recommendations are given in the Area of Responsibility (AoR), including through drafting of guidelines and specialised training of staff. He/she will also ensure active exchange of information and best practices within the AoR.

The incumbent must be an authority on technical issues relating to education and will also provide specialist advice for other sectors such as child protection, livelihoods/economic inclusion, shelter and water and sanitation as relates to the Education sector.

The Senior Education Officer acts as focal point/coordinator/advisor for staff at all levels in Country Office(s), including senior management, as well as Policy and Development staff.
In emergency contexts the Senior Education Officer will be required to play a leadership role in the coordination of the early phases of the education sector response, ensuring that education needs are reflected in intersectoral response plans, collaboratively developing a response strategy that will support inclusion in national systems and supporting monitoring and reporting on the response.
Externally, the Senior Education Officer will help promote the inclusion of refugees and other persons of concern into national education systems through effective partnerships and advocacy with relevant government line ministries, development actors, private sector, UN agencies, international organisations and NGOs, research institutions and universities, both at the regional and country levels.

This includes coordination with regional and global education networks and keeping abreast with international developments in education, including representation with international and regional organizations through, for example, UNICEF, UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education and the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).

Engagement with NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector is also a priority. The incumbent is regularly called upon to train staff and partners, including Government authorities, to provide/negotiate drafting advice, to give presentations, to participate as a member of expert groups on education, to represent UNHCR and to ensure UNHCR’s direct involvement in numerous settings designed to promote increased access to quality education at all levels to both refugee and host communities, in line with the GCR.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description.

They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks.

In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
In HQ
– Translate global education objectives and strategic directions into regional or national guidance, strategies and priorities.
– Engage, promote and foster partnerships/collaboration with education stakeholders and bodies within the AoR in line with the GCR.
– Provide technical advice and support on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions, in line with UNHCR education policy and other corporate priorities, including through remote support and field missions.
– Support and provide technical advice to senior management and Policy and Development staff allowing for advocacy activities with States and international organisations on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions, including on engaging in global planning processes and multi-country partnerships such as the UNICEF Blueprint.
– Participate in humanitarian and development sector working groups to support and ensure all refugee education support programming at country level is extended, amplified and reported against sector development goals and humanitarian partners and funding serves system strengthening.
– Assist Bureaux and Country Office(s) to elaborate and implement strategies to address issues related to education access, quality and data, in cooperation with other UN agencies (UNICEF, UNESCO, WFP, etc.) and other key education stakeholders.
– Undertake direct dialogue with Country Office(s) on the implementation of education programmes in line with strategic directions, integrated with SDG4 and Education Sector Plans, including with Ministries of Education/Higher Education, education partners and coordination networks (Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Local Education Groups, etc.).
– Foster and ensure inter-sectoral linkages and coordination with child protection, GBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others, and provide specialist advice for other sectors, to ensure that they fully integrate education related concerns in their planning.
– Monitor implementation of education programmes within the AoR and provide guidance on orientation.
– Support and monitor the implementation of Global Refugee Forum pledges within the AoR.
– Coordinate UNHCR’s role concerning education, represent UNHCR at consultations, and represent UNHCR’s education strategy and policy to other UN bodies, NGOs, interlocutors, institutions and organisations within the AoR.
– Identify training needs and train UNHCR staff, sister UN agency staff, NGOs, and Ministry of Education officials on refugee education priorities and identified topics.
– Develop and disseminate relevant tools to support UNHCR staff and partners in Country Office(s).
– Ensure active exchange of information and that promising practices and case studies are identified, documented and disseminated both within the AoR and beyond.
– Join joint assessment missions in emergencies to minimise the time refugee children and youth spend out of education (ideally a maximum of three months after arrival).
– Prepare, co-ordinate and oversee drafting of education input in key internal and external documents and reports.
– Where relevant, lead

In the Regional Bureaux
– Translate global education objectives and strategic directions into regional guidance, strategies and priorities, in collaboration with the Education Section in HQ, to ensure coherence with UNHCR’s education policy and strategy regionally and at country level.

Develop regionally specific strategies, including key regional interlocuters, and considering cross-border issues.
– Support and provide technical advice to senior management and Policy and Development staff allowing for advocacy activities with States and international organisations on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions at regional level.

Provide support to Country Offices for engagement with these.
– Participate in regional humanitarian and development sector working groups to support that all refugee education support programming at country level is extended, amplified and reported against sector development goals and humanitarian partners and funding serves system strengthening and meeting refugees’ needs.
– Assist in the planning and coordination of UNHCR’s role concerning education, represent UNHCR at regional consultations, and represent UNHCR’s education strategy and policy to other UN bodies, NGOs, interlocutors, institutions and organisations within the AoR.
– With HQ, assist Country Office(s) to elaborate and implement strategies to address issues related to education access, quality and data.

Synthesise and analyse data across countries in the region, making recommendations for how to react to trends, and contributing to global data and communications / advocacy approaches.
– Foster and ensure inter-sectoral linkages and coordination with child protection, GBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others, and provide specialist advice for other sectors, to ensure that they fully integrate education related concerns in their planning.
– Undertake direct dialogue with Country Office(s) on the implementation of education programmes in line with strategic directions, integrated with SDG4 and Education Sector Plans, including with Ministries of Education/Higher Education, education partners and coordination networks (Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Local Education Groups, etc.).
– Support and monitor the implementation of Global Refugee Forum (GRF) pledges across the region within the AoR.
– Participate in joint assessment missions in emergencies to minimise the time refugee children and youth spend out of education (ideally a maximum of three months after arrival).

With others in UNHCR, develop and implement approaches to track and prepare for emergencies, especially those which affect more than one country in the region.
– Where relevant, supervision or oversight of other education staff.
– Where relevant, supervision/management of other education staff at the Regional Bureau.

In the Country Operations
– Translate global and regional education objectives and strategic directions into national strategies and priorities, in collaboration with the RBs and HQ, to develop contextualised approaches which ensure coherence with UNHCR’s education policy and strategy at country level.
– Develop, implement and build capacity around monitoring and support given to all formal and informal education programmes across the Country Office: tracking progress, trends and good practices to inform partnership development and planning.
– As required, keep donor representatives briefed on developments in the education sector and assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals and reports linked to education strategic planning.
– Participate in country level humanitarian and development sector working groups to support that all refugee education support programming is extended, amplified and reported against sector development goals and humanitarian partners and funding serves system strengthening.

Engage senior management at country level where needed, particularly in engaging with development actors.
– In line with the multi-functional team (MFT) approach, foster and ensure inter-sectoral linkages and coordination with child protection, GBV, gender, community-based protection, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others, and provide specialist advice for other sectors, to ensure that they fully integrate education related concerns in their planning.
– In emergency settings, establish and play a leadership role in education sector coordination mechanisms, ensure that education is represented in inter-sectoral appeals, establish a collective strategy for the response that supports longer-term inclusion in national systems and ensure effective monitoring of and reporting on the education response.
– Support and provide technical advice to senior management and Policy and Development staff allowing for advocacy activities with national Government counterparts and international organisations on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions, including engaging in national planning processes, ensuring inclusion of refugee, returnee, asylum seeking, internally displaced and stateless children and youth into e.g.

SDG4 plans and Education Sector Analyses and Plans.
– Identify training needs and train UNHCR staff, sister UN agency staff, NGOs, and Ministry of Education officials on refugee education priorities and identified topics at country level, with the support of RB and HQ on global guidance
– Support and monitor the implementation of country-level Global Refugee Forum pledges within the AoR.
– Design and monitor implementation of education programmes within the AoR, provide guidance on orientation and facilitate engagement with key partners for delivery, reporting and advocacy.

Participate in Multi-Functional Teams engaging with partners.
– Where relevant, supervision/management of other education staff at the country level and support and quality oversight of education focal points in the sub and field offices.

All

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives.

Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans.

Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.

– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Education; Social Sciences; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
7 years of experience in progressively responsible functions in education.

Demonstrated work experience in education programmes.

Field experience in education programme management, implementation and coordination in humanitarian and/or development contexts. Experience working with Governments, Ministry of Education and other line Ministries. Strong inter-personal skills in collaboration and coordination. Excellent analytical skills and drafting skills. Strong communications/presentations skills. Demonstrated capacity to work with minimum supervision.

Desirable
Demonstrated work experience in refugee education programmes. Knowledge and experience of UNHCR policies and standards. Experience in the area of child protection.

Experience with educational research, teaching or education administration.

Familiarity with planning, programming, strategic planning, project development, budgeting and resource mobilization.

Functional Skills
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
*TR-Training – Virtual and face to face
PR-Community-based Protection – Planning, implementing and analysing surveys/assessments
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
CO-Drafting and Documentation
ED-Education programming design and quality assurance
ED-Global EiE standards and implementation
PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming
DM-Data collection methodologies
DM-Data Management
*IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Community based assessment methodologies
WB – Community Services/Social Work
ED-Education capacity building – education programming
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties.

This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level.

The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position.

Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

This complex and demanding role requires a candidate with excellent knowledge of the Kenyan education system and refugee context. Demonstrable experience negotiating with government counterparts on inclusion of refugees in national education system (or other marginalised groups), and mobilizing nexus or development funding is highly desirable.

Knowledge of global and local education financing streams would also be an advantage.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

Kenya is currently host to over 770,000 refugees and asylum seekers primarily from Somalia and South Sudan.

60 per cent of the refugee population is under 18 years of age, making access to education services for young refugees a priority.

The majority of refugees and asylum seeker children attend 107 basic education institutions located within the refugee camps of Dadaab and Kakuma and Kalobeyei Settlement, which are managed and financed by UNHCR and partners. Around 187,300 refugee children are enrolled in UNHCR managed, private and public schools. An estimated 50 per cent of school age children remain out of school due to a range of supply and demand side barriers.

Only around 3% of refugees have access to tertiary education.

The Government of Kenya (GOK) has made a number of global, regional and national commitments to inclusion of refugees in the national education system, but progress remains mixed, with camp schools continuing to function as a parallel service. There is however a conducive policy environment for inclusion of refugees with the government’s planned shift to integrated settlements (Shirika Plan), and the development of a draft Ministry of Education costed strategy on refugee and host community education.

The Senior Education Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation of UNHCR’s Education Strategy, which aims to 1) facilitate equitable access to safe, quality, accredited education and training for refugees and 2) progressively implement inclusion of UNHCR managed schools and refugee learners into the national education system.

S/he will work with government, partners and donors towards cost-effective solutions to expand access and improve the quality of education services at all levels for refugees, including oversight of a substantial DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme supporting over 600 scholars.

S/he will lead policy dialogue with the Ministry of Education to accelerate practical steps towards inclusion of refugees in the national education system. Coordination of implementation and operational partners, as well as leading on resource mobilization towards sustainable financing solutions is another key responsibility.

The incumbent will provide technical leadership and support to the education team, and collaborate actively with a range of UNHCR units in Nairobi and the two sub-offices.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, DM-Data collection methodologies, DM-Data Management, ED-Education capacity building – education programming, ED-Education programming design and quality assurance, ED-Global EiE standards and implementation, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming, PR-Community based assessment methodologies, PR-Community-based Protection – Planning, implementing and analysing surveys/assessments, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework, TR-Training – Virtual and face to face, WB – Community Services/Social Work

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Education

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 60