BATCH (3 positions): Education Officer (NOA), Kandahar, Afghanistan, and #119987 and #11837 Kabul (for Afghan Nationals Only)

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, [Education and Never Give Up]

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.

Following the power transition on 15 August 2021, the public education system faces major challenges in terms of equitable access for all children, continued education financing, and learning outcomes. The change in the political and policy landscape precipitated the suspension of most external aid to the sector on which the education system relied, thus interrupting education service delivery. Both humanitarian and development education actors in Afghanistan now operate in a context without a clear policy framework, financing mechanism to channel aid, or dialogue structure that is led by a government – all within a complex sanctions environment. The education system is on the brink of collapse and 20 years of investments and progress are about to vanish. A collapse of the system will put millions of children out of school. Therefore, education must be prioritized as essential in the humanitarian response to ensure that children do not lose out on their right education - access to learning opportunities that are both lifesaving and life-sustaining, providing children with protection, linkages to essential services and skills and knowledge to build a future of opportunities

How can you make a difference?

The Education Officer will support all aspects of education programme implementation in the Southern Region. S/he will be:

• Accountable for professional technical contribution to mainstreaming UNICEF education activities framework/principles into the education system; projects design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and progress reporting.
• Commitment for enhancement of gender-sensitive teamwork and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country programme goals and strategy.

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Programme/Project Management

Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Education programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, including gender disaggregation. Draft sound Education programme budgets for review by the supervisor.

2. Project Efficiency and Effectiveness

Enhance project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation follow-on, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance and Education project status.

3. Work Plan and Project Documentation

Analyze collected data and information and prepare progress reports including monitoring and reporting indicators by gender; draft changes in Education project work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment as well as in the drafting of Country Programme Recommendation and other project documentation, assuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and plans of action.

4. Project Implementation Information and Data

Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that Education project expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the project information and database (e.g., FLS, ProMS). Follow up on queries or initiate corrective action on discrepancies.

5. Knowledge Sharing

Compile Education project implementation training and orientation materials to promote knowledge sharing with donors and media.

6. Communication and Networking

Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration.

• Collaborate with Operations staff to implement internal controls systems and resolve day-to-day issues or discrepancies in financial or supply management.
• Team with local Government counterparts to exchange information on Education project implementation and status as well as movement and distribution of supplies.
• Supports coordination with members of the development community, including NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the exchange of information relating to Education sector.

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

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in one of the following fields is required: Education, Psychology, Sociology, and/or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local language Pashto and Dari is required. Knowledge of another UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA). To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

• * Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
• * Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• * The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.