UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, Hope.
UNGEI is a global partnership for gender equality in and through education. Our mandate is to catalyze and galvanize action locally, nationally, regionally and globally for girls’ education and gender equality in education. We bring together diverse partners to support Ministries of Education and other national actors to develop and implement bold commitments to gender equality in education. We convene regional global conversations and action for girls’ education and gender equality in education, including through the leadership of young feminist activists around the world. UNGEI partners include multilaterals, regional umbrella and intergovernmental organizations, national and global civil society organizations and young feminist leaders.
UNGEI, together with UNESCO-IIEP, coordinates the Gender at the Center Initiative (GCI). Launched in 2019 by the G7 Ministers of Education and Development, GCI champions the leadership of education ministries, civil society national actors and young feminists to advance gender equality in and through education. Through an innovative whole-system approach GCI strengthens technical gender capacity, fosters political will and supports the transformation of harmful gender norms. Between 2020 and 2023, GCI has been implemented in eight countries in Africa—Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria and Sierra Leone—by a multi-stakeholder partnership known as the GCI Alliance. From 2024 to 2026 GCI will implement a second phase of the initiative, consolidating the foundations laid during the first phase, and bringing the approach to more countries in Africa.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose for the job:
The purpose of this role is to provide technical and programmatic support to the Gender at the Center Initiative (GCI). The Education Specialist – Country Support Coordinator will support the development, implementation and monitoring of key GCI deliverables in the areas of technical support to Ministries of Education, Local Education Groups (LEGs) and civil society partners. S/he/they will support key education stakeholders in the GCI focus partner countries— Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal to mainstream gender equality in education and to improve coordination for gender equality.
The Education Specialist – Country Support Coordinator will report to the Chief Education, with a matrix reporting line to the GCI Lead. S/he/they will work closely with UNGEI Secretariat staff who support the GCI, and with the Mali country office education and gender sections
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Technical advice and support
2. Coordination, networking and partnership building
3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
4. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
For every 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. 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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
Remarks:
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). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.
All selected candidates will 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.
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.
Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.