Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist P3- FT - Geneva, Switzerland PN

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 137,951 USD and 180,636 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, Early Development

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 fulfil 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

The ECD Specialist reports to the Regional Advisor ECD and contributes to the efficient support and advice to the Regional Office and Country Offices in the Region for Europe and Central Asia.

This position will also routinely liaise with the Education Regional Advisor and the education team on issues pertaining to the overall Learn portfolio (including digital learning, equity and inclusion, as well as overall education system strengthening), the Child Protection, Social Policy and C4D Advisors on cross sectoral coordination issues, as well as work closely with the T4D Specialist on all digital innovations. The Specialist will also network with key partners and subject matter experts externally on issues relating early childhood education and care (e.g., European Union, child rights organizations, universities).

This position will be upgraded to P4 and moving location to Istanbul (Turkey) on 1 January 2024, a new competitive selective process would be initiated.

How can you make a difference?

The ECD Specialist reports to the Regional Adviser ECD for guidance, direction and general supervision. In close collaboration with relevant sectors, the Specialist is responsible for coordinating the design, development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ECD programmes within the Regional Programme, with a strong focus on early childhood education and care (ECEC). The position is particularly focused on contributing towards results under the Learning Regional Outcome area, aiming to provide support across the region to accelerate access to and quality of early childhood education. The ECD Specialist works with the ECD Advisor to define regional strategies for ECE results and implement these in close collaboration with the Education team. The Specialist is also expected to provide critical guidance and support to ECD initiatives that cut across outcomes and sectors, including digital innovations and initiatives that support young child development and learning across sectors.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to ECD programs/projects development and planning
2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programs
3. Technical and operational support to program implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Impact of Results:

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of holistic ECD programs/projects and the achievement of concrete and sustainable results in the area of ECE specifically contribute to achievement of UNICEF goals for early and essential protection of children from the early stages of their life and promote/protect their rights to survival, development and wellbeing in society. Achievements in programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

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

• An Advanced University Degree in education, social sciences, including nutrition; human development; child development; family studies, or other relevant social sciences field is required
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in education, child development, or social development is required.
• Experience should include ECD policy development, with focus on early childhood education and the education system, monitoring and evaluation in early childhood development and/or related areas, and experience at the national and/or regional levels in middle income and low-income countries.
• Working experience in the Europe and Central Asia region would be considered an advantage. Professional experience in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Prior experience in (or understanding of) digital innovations in support of early childhood development and/or early learning is required.
• Knowledge of EU social policies, and funding mechanisms, particularly in relation to childcare, early childhood development, and ECEC in particular would be considered an advantage.
• Prior experience with successful national, regional or global partnerships and networking for early childhood education is an asset
• Prior experiences with project management, strategy development and monitoring and reporting is required
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Russian will be an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

i) Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

ii) Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *

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

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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