Organization Mission

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context

UNICEF works in close collaboration with the government and partners to ensure that by 2027, children including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable, have equitable access to and participate in quality learning and skills development opportunities within a safe inclusive learning environment.

UNICEF supports the Government of India and 17 states in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) and strengthening the Samagra Shiksha programme, with a strong focus on improving foundational learning and advancing quality secondary education comprehensive reforms. The education programme focusses on accelerating progress and delivering results for children at scale, with a clear focus on impact, inclusion, and quality. UNICEF works to strengthen policy and planning processes, ensuring that education reforms are evidence-based, child-centered and effectively implemented at all levels. It also promotes quality and equitable education by enhancing curriculum relevance, improving teacher education and capacity by integrating digital literacy and life skills. Additionally, UNICEF supports efforts to make schools safer and climate resilient, more engaging and conducive to learning for all children and further facilitate gain knowledge and employability/life skills needed for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Education and or Education Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support to education programme planning and monitoring
• Provide support on planning, implementation and monitoring of education programme; preparing materials and documentation, and complying with the processes and management systems, to support results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Design a system for managing programme reviews and annual reviews with the field partners and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects.
• Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues and support in preparation of scalable proposals
• Develop a matrix in monitoring and evaluation exercises, to report on required action and interventions

2. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Support the development, and implementation of education section knowledge management, and information sharing strategy and action plan
• Support strategizing, planning, and reporting on strategic advocacy initiatives. Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Support documentation of innovative approaches and good practices for 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.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

3. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work.

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in Education or Social Sciences programme planning and monitoring
• Understanding of equity issues (gender, disability, minority groups) related to education access and learning
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• High level computer fluency, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and in a team; ability to work on multiple priorities with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in equitable quality education, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development is an asset.

Core Competencies

. Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

New Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region is a large and bustling metropolis of some 14 million people undergoing rapid changes. The capital city is an administrative, cultural and commercial center with modern amenities and well connected by air. It is a safe place with large expatriate community drawn from embassies, UN agencies, MNCs and foreign businesses. It has short moderate winter and long hot summer. Transport options include the metro rail, buses, radio cabs, autorickshaws etc. There are different phone networks available (fixed and mobile) and internet access is easy. However, to obtain a phone connection you are required to submit a photo and valid ID proof. The electricity network is 220 volts. Delhi is in security phase zero (0), so there is no security concern at this moment. Although English is generally used for official and business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by most of the people. Punjabi and Urdu are also commonly spoken.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. . National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents – except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator .

• Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 64,961.50
• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR)
• Relocation costs: $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV)
• Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): INR 5,413.46 for each month served, paid on completion of contract
• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts
• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
• Learning: Access to UNV”s learning and career development resources

For more information on entitlements, please read the Conditions of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).