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!

How can you make a difference

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Management and advisory support to UNICEF for effective Coordination and Programme Implementation

• Provide technical assistance on systems and process analysis for anticipating and mitigating potential barriers and challenges during programme implementation and advise on when and how to adapt implementation approaches.
• Provide technical advice to the Section Chief, Education and GPE Program Manager in developing strategies, determining priorities, and performance measurements in collaboration with the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for effective implementation of the STEP for Girls and Learning programme.
• Continually assess the processes and progress of the implementation of the programme, identify barriers and advise the MoE and UNICEF on strategies to address barriers effectively.
• Coordinate with a multisectoral team of stakeholders at the inter-ministerial level and within MOE and report to Chief critical issues for timely action in relation to STEP for Girls and Learning.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to colleagues in the Education Section and UNICEF Field Offices on all aspects of effective coordination with Government and programme implementation, to enable them to achieve performance objectives for the programme.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and monitor and track progress against Government and partner workplans, in line with the GPE grant conditions and programme verify compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity.
• Perform other duties given by the Chief of Education and GPE Program Manager or their OICs.

2. Technical Assistance and Advisory Services to Government for effective Coordination and Programme Implementation.

• Provide technical assistance and operational support to the Ministry of Education in setting implementation priorities, strategies, and plans to deliver results set out in the STEP Programme.
• Support with establishing and organizing technical coordination committees and Steering Committee Meetings and structures at federal and regional levels.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the progress of the programme and track progress with relevant MOE departments, providing technical and operational advice to influence agenda setting and address bottlenecks.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners such the Ministry of Education, Regional Education Bureaus, the Ministry of Gender and Social Affairs, Civil Society Organisations and UNICEF teams to identify opportunities to strengthen systems and the key enablers for implementation; act as a technical expert and partner to generate and implement innovative solutions to accelerate programme implementation and achieve sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support to the Ministry of Education throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of the MoE plans across MOE directorates and activities within STEP programme.
• Provide government authorities with technical and operational support to plan and organize trainings to build or reinforce the commitment and institutional capacities for programme sustainability.
• Prepare briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information, and consideration for enhancing attainment of results set out in the STEP Programme

3. Programme Monitoring for Results

• Actively monitor the implementation of programme activities, including risk mitigation measures, to ensure continued stakeholder buy-in and compliance, and refer issues affecting timely implementation and/or the quality of outputs delivered through the programme to the UNICEF and MoE for timely resolution for enhancing attainment of results defined in the programme.
• In consultation with GPE Program Manager, the GPE Planning and M&E Specialist, and with UNICEF regional focal points, government counterparts and NGO partners, participate in field visits to monitor programme activities and follow-up on programme implementation based on agreed performance indicators and monitoring benchmarks.
• Elicit feedback, gather, and synthesize different types of information from internal and external stakeholders, including UNICEF, implementers, partners, and beneficiaries, to identify implementation challenges and barriers and make recommendations for targeted strategies to address each challenge and barrier in collaboration with UNICEF, MOE, and other relevant parties.
• In consultation with GPE Program Manager, coordinate the planning of periodic performance reviews with government counterparts to assess progress and to identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and facilitate timely resolution of challenges for enhancing attainment of results defined in the GPE funded STEP for Girls and Learning Programme.
• Assist a multisectoral team of stakeholders, including government counterparts, UNICEF colleagues and implementing partners to discuss implementation issues, findings from annual or mid-term reviews, and alert the GPE Program Manager and appropriate officials for higher-level interventions and/or decisions.
• Ensure the timely preparation of regular and mandated programme reports for the GPE Program Manager, the UNICEF Education Section Chief, at UNICEF and the MoE management to keep them informed of programme progress against planned results.

4. Advocacy, Networking and Partnership Building for effective programming.

• Develop and maintain high quality relationships and strengthen strategic partnerships with Government officials and stakeholders through networking to reinforce cooperation and promote sustainable and broad results on education.
• Facilitate regular interactions, including through organizing meetings, with and among the Ministry of Education staff, and other government institutions responsible for implementation of the GPE STEP programme, monitoring and evaluation, and management.
• Participate in MoE inter-departmental meetings and inter-ministerial discussions on education, represent and advocate for the GPE programme.
• Provide support to UNICEF, enabling UNICEF and partner teams to maintain effective and trusted relationships with the Ministry of Education counterparts for facilitate smooth programming.

5. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Promote, apply, and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to support the effective implementation of concrete programme results set out in the GPE funded STEP for Girls and Learning Programme.
• Organize and participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable education and STEP for Girls and Learning programme results.
• Assess, document, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned from the implementation of the GPE STEP programme.
• Support the implementation of communication and knowledge management activities, including the organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, study tours, trainings and other means of information sharing among government decision-makers, UNICEF, and other experts.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR_Education Specialist_NOC_GPE STEP.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:  An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Education, Social Sciences, Politics, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or another relevant technical field.]

• Work Experience:   A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or advocacy in education with proven management experience is required.
• Experience delivering results in challenging and close contexts such as quality education provision, working in government or other INGOs /NGOs programs and activities will be an added advantage.
• Strong preference for candidates with previous government work experience or significant liaison work and relations in the Ministry of Education.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of one or more of the local language(s) 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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

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. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and personas with disability are encouraged to apply.

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.