Deadline extended: Education Officer (NO-B, Fixed Term) Chisinau, Moldova (for Moldovan nationals only)

Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

Overview

Coordinate activities to improve education access in Moldova

You have:

• A university degree in fields such as education, psychology, or sociology is required.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Experience in the design/implementation or monitoring of development programmes.
• Experience working in local regions and/or in managing programmes financed by the European Union is a very strong advantage.
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of Russian or additional languages relevant for Moldova would be an asset.

Education Officer, NOB: EU4Moldova Focal Regions Programme

UNICEF’s mission in Moldova is to make sure every child in the country is healthy, educated and safe from harm, therefore having the best start in life and a fair chance to reach her or his full potential and benefit from the country’s prosperity. We believe children have a right to live in a more equitable society, where their voices are heard, and needs met as a matter of priority in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. More information on what we do in Moldova is available at: https://www.unicef.org/moldova/

Job organizational context

UNICEF Moldova is the implementing partner of the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, based on the European Commission Implementing Decision on the Annual Action Programme 2018 in favour of the Republic of Moldova, funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with UNDP.

The overall objective of the five-year programme is to strengthen the economic, territorial and social cohesion in the Republic of Moldova through facilitating inclusive, sustainable and integrated local socio-economic growth and improving the standards of living of children, adolescents and all citizens in the two focal regions Cahul and Ungheni.

UNICEF contributes to the implementation of Component 2: Improved access to, and quality of local public services and utilities. Interventions under this result seek an improved access to quality child and adolescents’ friendly social services (including cultural and sports activities) within a child friendly modern social infrastructure and delivered by a well-trained social workforce. The supported activities and actions follow the most innovative methodological tools and international experiences related to the inter-municipal cooperation and regionalization of services, community participation and HRBA approach.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Education Specialist at NOC level, the incumbent will coordinate and lead overall effective and efficient management of all the UNICEF activities under Component 2: Improved access to, and quality of local public services and utilities of the EU4Moldova Focal Regions Programme, as well as be responsible for the implementation of the programme component on Education. He/she will provide necessary support and guidance, when needed or upon request, to Health Officer, NO-A and Programme Associate, GS-6.

The Education Officer will work with LPAs and support sector specific awareness related activities. The incumbent will also work in close cooperation and coordinate all project related matters and activities with Health, Child Protection, Communication and Operations Sections to ensure synergies in achievement of project results, visibility, efficient reporting and correct application of rules and procedures.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Support to programme development and planning
• Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
• Technical and operational support to programme implementation
• Networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to programme development and planning

• Contribute to the preparation and updating of the situation analysis for the development, design and management of education related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (economic, social, health etc.) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues.
• Suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare draft inputs for programme/donor reporting.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Undertake field visits and surveys and share information with stakeholders to assess progress and refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on education related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programmes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

• Contribute to identifying, capturing, synthesizing, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have:

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

Experience:

A minimum of two years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required. Experience in the design/implementation or monitoring of development programmes.

Experience in local regions and/or in managing programmes financed by the European Union is a very strong advantage.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Russian or additional languages relevant for Moldova would be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (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)

View our competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion. Women, persons from vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as persons from other underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants from under-represented groups will be given priority in case of equal qualification. UNICEF is committed to reasonably accommodate the working environment for the persons with disabilities.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org