Education Specialist, P-3, Tarawa, Kiribati, # 115054, Fixed Term Appointment

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For every child, education

All 14 Pacific Island countries and territories have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but only a third are on track with reporting obligations. Explore the different areas of our work here: UNICEF Pacific Islands. 

How can you make a difference?  

UNICEF Pacific is hiring an Education Specialist on a fixed term appointment to be based in the Kiribati office. Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief of Filed Office, in coordination with Chief of Education, the Specialist will provide support to the development and preparation of Education and Multi-sectoral ECD programmes and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of education and ECD programmes within the multi-country programme. The specialist will provide technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education and ECD programmes to improve holistic development, learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education, especially for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded in society.

The Specialist will also contribute to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results-based management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standard of performance, and accountability framework. The Specialist plays a key role with in-country donor relations, as well as resource mobilization initiatives.

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Education Specialist to programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to improve learning outcomes and universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive education and holistic ECD. Success in education and ECD programmes in turn contribute to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:   

Support to programme development and planning.   Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education and ECD programmes to ensure that current ensure that current and comprehensive data on education and ECD issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes. Help supervisor set priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery. Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of education and ECD programmes. Formulate, design and prepare programme proposals and concept notes for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Multi-Country Programme and coherence/integration with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-27, regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies. Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval. Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners across sectors to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results. Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.   Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners across sectors to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector on education programmes. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and mid-year/annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results. Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals. Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. Leverage new technology and innovations to collect and analyze education and ECD data. Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources. Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress. Hold regular bilateral meetings with in-country donors and partners. Technical and operational support to programme implementation.   Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and multi-country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education, ECD and related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results. Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with MCO, Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process. Participate in education and ECD programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support. Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use. Networking and partnership building.   Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes. Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund raising for education programmes. Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions on education and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSCDF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSCDF process in development planning and agenda setting. Contribute to resource mobilization initiatives through proactive engagement with donors through concept notes and proposal development.  Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.   Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results. Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned. Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects. Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.

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

Education  

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field. 

Work Experience  

A minimum of five years of professional experience in policy, programme planning, management, and/or research in education and ECD is required. Experience working in more than one country is preferred; experience working in the Pacific or SIDS is considered as an asset. Experience with partner engagement, donor relations and resource mobilization is considered as an asset. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Languages  

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...  

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). The functional competencies required for this post are... 

Nurtures, Leads and Manages (1) Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)  Works Collaboratively with others (2)  Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)  Innovates and Embraces Change (2)  Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)  Drive to achieve impactful results (2)  Manages ambiguity and complexity (2) 

Technical Competencies:

Some understanding of the overall global development context, including issues such as: poverty, conflict and the impact of these factors on education and vice-versa; and inter-sectoral approaches to address such issues in collaboration with other sectors (including Social Policy, Child Protection, Nutrition, WASH, Health, and Communications within UNICEF). Some knowledge of global developments in education and international engagement strategies, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming. Some ability to support policy dialogue: translation of analytical findings and evidence into development programme and policy discussions around equity and learning with partners, including government, development partners, CSOs and academia in relevant areas. Some education sector planning knowledge/ability, including the range of modalities for delivering education, linkages between different sub-sectors ( ECD, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Inclusive Education), cost-effectiveness and efficiency issues, key institutional structures, components and processes, as well as governance issues. Some education and policy sector analysis capacity, including understanding of the core education data sets and indicators; tools for analysis of equity; determinants of student access and learning; budget, costing, and financial management in education systems; political economy; and education policy and strategic planning. Some programme management in education, including programme design, costing, monitoring and evaluation and reporting. Some ability to support engagement with partners Sector Wide Approaches, Global Partnership for Education, Education in Emergency Clusters, Education Provider Forums, Delivering as One, Inter-sectoral partnerships such as in ECD, as well as networking with other key partners. Some understanding of gender and inequity issues in relation to education and development and the application of gender / equity analysis to policy and planning in education. For CO and RO based posts and where relevant, some understanding of policies and strategies to address issues related to resilience: risk analysis and risk management, education in conflict situations, natural disasters, and recovery.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Remarks:  

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.

With regard to higher educational qualifications, UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at ”

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply to become a part of the organization. Internal and external candidates are invited to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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