UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, education

Greece was the first country which participated in the Akelius-UNICEF global partnership in 2018 with the aim to find innovative solutions to language learning for marginalized communities. Today, the Akelius digital language learning course (DLLC) is implemented in 13 countries across 4 continents. This partnership focuses on providing support to particularly vulnerable children and adolescents (refugee and migrant, out-of-school, ethnic and linguistic minorities, and Roma children) to improve their ability to learn languages, including that of their host country, thus contributing to their successful integration into formal education systems, and broader society. In 2020 the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) added the Akelius digital language learning course as suggested material for teaching Greek to refugee and migrant children. As of today and following an agreement between UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports (MOERAS), the Akelius DLLC is being implemented in 60 schools across Greece.

UNICEF aims to ensure that vulnerable children benefit of inclusive, equitable, quality education, through teacher trainings; educational and psychosocial programs for children and their families; development of tools addressing the needs of this population; and active cooperation with the MOERAS, the Institute of Educational Policy, and academic partners. The partnership with Akelius foundation has been instrumental to respond to this goal.

The UNICEF Country Office in Greece is seeking to recruit an education senior associate, who will support the Education team of the office for an efficient, implementation of Akelius DLLC, Blended Learning materials and trainings and act as a link between UNICEF’s team and partners to ensure the successful inclusion of refugee, migrant and Roma children in the Greek educational system and in particular digital learning. The education senior associate will also support the entire Education portfolio of the Greece country office on a needs basis.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support the implementation of the Akelius Digital Language Learning Course (DLLC) Programme in Greece

• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Akelius digital language learning course programme, focusing on language learning for refugee, migrant and Roma students, and teacher capacity building, in coordination with partners.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues.
• Suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Monitor the implementation of the Akelius DLLC programme through visits in the field, monitoring tools and analysis of results, budget use, risks and propose on time mitigation actions, to ensure quality implementation of the project.
• Provide draft inputs for programme/donor reporting, including a monthly report on the implementation of the Akelius DLLC Programme
• Coordinate the development of communication products on the use of Blended Learning and Akelius language learning course for refugee/migrant and Roma children;
• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of education programmes, beyond the Akelius DLLC, in a horizontal manner and on a needs basis.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders, on a needs basis.
  2. Networking and partnership building
• Cooperate with the Akelius team, UNICEF country offices and partners contributing to the further development and expansion of the digital course
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programmes, especially Education Technology and Digital Education programmes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances, and support fund raising for digital education programmes and education programmes more broadly.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings and events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners on the preparation of digital education programmes/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

  3.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Document good practices, and lessons learned around the topics of Blended Learning and development of digital learning material;
• Provide support in identifying, capturing, synthesizing, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders. This includes the provision of in person and online trainings of educators on the use of the Akelius DLLC and blended learning methodologies targeting marginalized children (including those with a refugee and migrant background and Roma children).

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by university courses related to the field of Education, Teacher Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology or e-Learning.

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in the field of education may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree in the field of Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology or e-Learning may replace an additional two years.

• Work Experience: At least 7 years of relevant work experience in of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Skills : Experience in the development and monitoring of digital education programs is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Greek is required

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Professional experience in the development of learning tools and in educator capacity building for blended learning.
• Practical experience in the implementation and monitoring of inclusive education programs for refugee/migrant children.

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

The 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 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 appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa 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 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 canceled.

Remarks:

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

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee 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 ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.