Associate Education Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNHCR’s new Education 2030 Strategy is anchored in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) guiding principles that aim to ensure the inclusion of displaced populations within national education systems. The Global Compact on Refugees states that “in line with national education laws, policies, and planning, and in support of host countries, States and relevant stakeholders will contribute resources and expertise to expand and enhance the quality and inclusiveness of national education systems to facilitate the access by refugee and host community children, adolescents and youth.” UNHCR seeks to support these communities by focusing on system-strengthening interventions to ensure that all learners receive quality, relevant, and inclusive education that prepares them to fully engage in the economic, social, and cultural world. The Instant Network Schools (INS) program is part of the UNHCR’s broader Connected Education portfolio to enhance learning outcomes by leveraging ICT. The implementation of the Instant Network Schools (INS) is designed to adopt a consultative process between UNHCR, relevant line ministries, implementing partners, and the refugee community to ensure that it is aligned with national policies to ensure sustainability, alignment with the GCR, and is a practical learning resource for refugees and the communities that host them, including those enrolled in secondary and post-primary education. Importantly, UNHCR works with government and partners to sustainably include refugees in the national education system consistent with the SDG4 call and aspiration of leaving no one behind. Consequently, UNHCR applies the inclusivity principle in the education service delivery in its areas of operation.

Since 2013, Vodafone Foundation and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have partnered to enhance the quality of education in refugee camps. With UNHCR’s Innovation and Education Teams, Vodafone Foundation’s technical expertise and core capabilities were leveraged to co-design the Instant Network Schools (INS) program.

The Associate Education officer is a member of Mozambique’s Protection team and reports to the Protection Officer (community based) with support Head of Office. S/he is responsible for the day-to-day implementation, operation, and monitoring of the Instant Network Schools programme in Maratane and Nampula province. Working closely with the UNHCR offices and educators in public schools, the Programme Manager is responsible for establishing and efficiently managing all INS-related activities. S/he, working closely with the Education Focal Point, will be the liaison with the government, i.e., the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology, to ensure endorsements from the Mozambique government. The Associate education officer will manage and coordinate a team of INS coaches (one per school) who will act as school-based focal points, ensuring proper use of the INS facilities and programme buy-in. In addition the position will support in monitoring education and reporting as requested, working with protection unit on related child protection action in education. The position will be based in Nampula and involve frequent travel to partner schools and engagement with various education stakeholders in Mozambique.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Protection Officer (Community Based) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Education Officer will:

Concise and detailed description of activities, including measurable outputs and delivery dates, impact indicators (what qualitative and quantitative results would be achieved upon completion of individual contract), performance indicators (timelines, value of the service rendered in relation to the cost, timeliness) and work plan: • Support to programme set-up and consolidation: Provide programmatic and operational support to the setup and consolidation of INS locations in public schools, emphasizing secondary education, across Mozambique. Serve as liaison between the partners and the local community. • Support to UNHCR’s Ministry and education stakeholder liaisons: support the UNHCR staff focal point for education (in Nampula, the Associate Protection Officer (Community-based) who will serve as the principal liaison with the Ministry of Education to align the INS program to national priorities, provide data and information, and to develop a strong working relationship with the ministry to cultivate greater collaboration for INS implementation and sustainability.
• Connected Education strategy development: with support from UNHCR’s global Connected Education team, work to develop a Connected Education roadmap to support UNHCR’s education strategy for Mozambique and align to national strategies, including refugees into national education systems with a focus on post-primary and the SDG4. • Programme Management: Responsible for implementing the INS programme per approved time schedules, budgets, UNHCR, Ministry of Education, and Vodafone Foundation (VF) guidelines and procedures. Support UNHCR, Ministry of Education, and VF team with the strategy, project planning, and identifying technology solutions to address local education needs. • Recruitment and Team Management: Oversee the recruitment process for the INS coaches, train, mentor (with the support of UNHCR Connected Education and Vodafone Foundation) and manage the team to ensure successful delivery of the INS programme. • Educational content: Liaise with local authorities to identify opportunities to secure curriculum-aligned content for distribution in the INS. Activate prospects for other content providers which could complement the portfolio. • Resource Planning and Management: Support the work of educators in the schools and ensure effective and optimal deployment and use of INS platforms and tools. • Training and Support: Provide on-the-job training, and facilitate training by others to educators, secondary education school staff (prioritizing those with a focus on STEM subjects), partners, and other stakeholders in using educational technology, ICT maintenance, and other relevant areas. Train educators in the use and essential maintenance of the equipment, use of the content, and technology integration into lesson planning and delivery. • Monitoring and Evaluation: Building capacity amongst educators and partners to monitor the programme as per the programme’s M&E Framework. This includes supporting the effective use of online tools for data collection, conducting focus group sessions, and analyzing interim progress on the INS programme with partners like the Ministry of Education. Also, play an active role in designing and facilitating a research study on the impact of the INS over five years. This includes coordinating with local authorities and supporting monitoring and research mission in the field. • Reporting: Produce timely programme reports to document progress and decisions, identify challenges and mitigation measures, and track programme impact. • Work plan to be developed by the Program Manager and coordinated with the UNHCR team. • As we are considering expanding the project to 10 more schools in the province, the Project Manager will be involved in evaluating new schools and implementing the project in these new schools. • The position will be based in Nampula and will involve frequent travels to the schools that are part of the project, including the newly identified schools.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR 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 UNHCR 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 UNHCR`s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• education and knowledge of educational technology.
• Experience working in remote environments with low bandwidth field technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects from conception to take-off.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in facilitation and delivering pieces of training.
• Demonstrated experience conducting data collection and analysis for monitoring and impact reporting.

Mozambique has a total population of about 29 million people and Maputo is its capital city. The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 km square from North to South. It is tropical hot and humid. The hottest and wettest months are December to February, when the average daily minimum temperatures are around 22°c and the average daily highs of 30°c. The rain season is between October and April. Winters (June to August) are mild with the average daily temperature ranging from 13°c to 24°c. Nampula is a C, Family duty-station where the security level is considered low (2).

Traffic accidents are common in Mozambique due to the poor condition of the roads and poor driving and vehicle standards. Overland travel on public transport can be hazardous due to poor vehicle and road conditions and is not recommended.

The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.88 meticais (MZN) as per January 2023. Other than meticais, US dollars and South African rand are the main exchange currencies. Major international credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, and Amex) are accepted (hotels, restaurants, and some shops) in all major towns.

The public healthcare system in Mozambique is basic and limited. Private clinics can be found in Maputo and larger cities in Mozambique. Mozambique lies in a malaria zone, so the necessary precautions should be taken: Avoiding mosquito bites by using nets, candles and sprays is recommended.

Vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid are recommended. Tap water in Mozambique is not safe to drink, so bottled or boiled water should be used instead. Communication and transport services are available at various costs.

The security situation in area north, Nampula and Niassa provinces are relatively calm. The biggest concern is criminality in the main urban centres of Nampula, Nacala, and Niassa where there are many medium and high-income individuals and business activities.

In Nampula, basic health facilities and food shops/restaurant are available. Accommodation can be found through house renting from the private sector.