Education Associate

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Saturday 19 Feb 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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Contract

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

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is the one of the world’s largest organization for children. It is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. It has the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child and works to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. UNICEF works for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. It strives for peace and security and works to hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children. UNICEF is part of the Global Movement for Children – a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child. Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special Session on Children, it encourages young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives. UNICEF works in 190 countries through country programs and National Committees.

Whilst the Philippines is witnessing considerably rapid economic growth for the last several years, the significant level of inequality in income distribution remains high and it is one of the worst in ASEAN countries (Gini coefficient: 42.3 in 2018 ). Access to quality basic social services such as health, education and social welfare tends to follow the same patterns and the rapid economic growth has not been translated into improved livelihood and life quality amongst the poor and disadvantaged.

The UNICEF Philippines Education programme aims to improve quality and inclusive learning for early childhood, basic education and the alternative learning system, with a focus on vulnerable, disadvantaged and hard-to-reach children in the country. To achieve this goal, UNICEF Philippines takes a series of inclusive, equity-oriented strategies, amongst which include careful selection of programme focus areas/municipalities based on degrees of inequities, poverty incidences, remoteness, serious socio-economic conditions, armed conflicts, natural disasters risks etc. Nationally, it has been pointed out that Children with Disabilities are far less acknowledged by the government (e.g. the Philippines statistics shows only 1% of the total population has disabilities, vis-à-vis the 10-15% of the global standard), however, it is widely understood that Children with Disabilities have very limited access to basic social services, including access to education.

As part of the 8th Country Program defined with the Government of the Philippines, UNICEF is strongly supporting the Department of Education to prepare a long-term education sector plan (Basic Education Development Plan – BEDP 2030), an absence for years in the country. The preparation of this long-term plan will orient education priorities and policies, align the different actors and sustain reform when administrations change. With financial support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), an education sector analysis has been finalized and the BEDP 2030 will be completed and approved at the end of 2021. In 2022 and 2023, UNICEF will continue supporting the capacity strengthening on sector planning and futures thinking within the Department of Education and the implementation of BEDP 2030.

UNICEF education and ECCD programme believes that one of the most effective and long lasting solutions for development and peace is to provide equitable access to quality education to all children in the areas whereby children’s disadvantages and marginalization could be addressed at earlier possible stage of life. In the 8th Country Program, UNICEF and the Government of the Philippines have selected Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte as three prioritized provinces for support. The UNV’s support to the education programme, in general, will have stronger focus on the implementation of BEDP 2030 and the ECCD National Strategic Plan 2019-2030. The UNV will also support the national level education sector information and data analysis with strong equity lens, to identify areas of advocacy for equitable education sector enhancement.

The assignment might entail regular mission travel to Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte.

Task description Under the direct supervision of the Education Chief, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

  1. Provide support to the education programme (Basic Education and Early Childhood Care and Development) with strong focus on the implementation of the Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP 2030) and the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) National Strategic Plan (2019-2030);

• Assist with planning, coordination, monitoring and reporting initiatives related to the BEDP 2030 and ECCD National Strategic Plan. Support the application and/or implementation of Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Grants and provide analytical inputs and en-suring adequate coordination among the different actors that are part of the Local Educa-tion Group – LEG (Education Forum): Bureaus at the Department of Education, GPE, in-ternational donors, civil society organizations, among others);
• Provide constant technical suggestions and recommendations for further enhancing the quality of the Basic Education and ECCD programmes in Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte, in light of most disadvantaged children (conflict affected, ethnic groups, disabilities etc.). Support Manila-based coordination efforts on the educa-tion/ECCD sectors in Samar, Northern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte (inter-sectoral, inter-UN agencies, inter-governmental agencies) • Support developing progress reporting and external communication materials (e.g. donor updates, web-based progress brief etc.). Coordinate closely with the Education Section for smooth programme implementation and fundraising efforts for the most disadvan-taged children in Samar, Northern Samar, and Zamboanga del Norte. • Support the analysis of the existing monitoring and evaluation information and methodol-ogies, and recommend for further improvement.

  1. Contribute to the ECCD, Basic Education, and Adolescents Learning sector data/information analysis for better programme planning and evidence-based advocacy

• Compile and analyze the information and data on the education sector and education financing, through strong equity lens (disadvantaged children, children with disabilities, hard-to-reach areas, conflict-affected areas, indigenous and other minorities), and identi-fy areas for UNICEF education sector advocacy and programming; • Provide support to inter-sectoral and/or inter-UN agencies coordination in Samar, North-ern Samar and Zamboanga del Norte where necessary for smooth and effective imple-mentation of the education projects, fund raising efforts, M&E and reporting. Closely work with the UNICEF Regional Office and the Head Quarters for leveraging the global-wide expertise/ knowledge in programme implementation. • Based on the experience of field visits and information analysis, support the development of advocacy materials (both internally and externally) and fundraising proposals for en-hancing the most disadvantaged Filipino children’s access to quality education; • Contribute to the Knowledge Management efforts of the education programme in Manila. Support the preparation of programme progress and other technical briefs for donor rela-tions, external communication etc. as required;

Results/Expected Outputs • Quality analysis and other critical inputs are provided for the preparation of initiatives re-lated to the implementation of the BEDP 2030 and the ECCD National Strategic Plan 2019-2030. • Effective coordination and reporting for the implementation of the BEDP 2030 and the ECCD National Strategic Plan 2019-2030. • Progress information, monitoring indicators, financial and status report of the education and ECCD programme are up to date (quarterly update). • User friendly compilation and analysis of the latest education data and information is available.
• Education sector partners’ information and programme focus and areas are consolidated and analyzed (mapping).
• Programme progress brief, donor updates/reports and external communication materials are drafted with high quality (with reliable qualitative and quantitative data)

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Working in Teams

or experience (up to 2 years) in education, research and policy planning/analysis. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Previous experience in the education sector would be highly regarded; • Previous experience in data analysis would be an asset.

The Philippine archipelago is geographically located between latitude (approximately) 4o23'N and 21o25'N and longitude (approximately) 112oE and 127oE. It is composed of 7,107 is-lands, with a land area of 299,764 sq. kilometers. Its length measures 1,850 kilometers, start-ing from the point near the southern tip of Taiwan and ending close to northern Borneo. Its breadth is about 965 kilometers. The Philippine coastline adds up to 17,500 km. Three prominent bodies of water surround the archipelago: the Pacific Ocean on the east, the South China Sea on the west and north, and the Celebes Sea on the south. This position ac-counts for much of the variations in geographic, climatic and vegetational conditions.

Metro Manila is strategically located in the middle of Luzon, on the eastern coast of Manila Bay and at the mouth of the Pasig River, sprawled over an area of 626 sq.km. Manila sits in the middle of a swampy deltaic plain formed by accumulated sedimentary deposits from the Pasig River and other streams. The city is between the bay to the west, the highlands to the east, and Laguna de Bay to the southeast. Most of its densely populated areas are found along the Pasig River running across the metropolis dividing it into two sections - the north and the south.

The local climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5 °C (79.7 °F). There are three recognized seasons: The hot season or summer from March to May, the rainy season from June to November, and the cold season from Dec to Feb.

Metro Manila is the capital of Philippines and a very modern city with amenities for modern living. Various living choices are available to suit one's budget. People of Philippines are very friendly and amicable. Manila is classified as “A” – the lowest hardship for a developing coun-try posting—and all western amenities (food, clothing, restaurants) are available in the city. Traffic congestions and air pollution is a nuisance to some inhabitants. Housing is readily available and one should be able to find suitable permanent accommodation within two weeks. Price may range widely depending on the location and the type of accommodation one chooses.

Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Grab app for taxis is widely used and cheap. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around in most places. In Metro Manila the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system.

The Pesos (PHP) is the official currency and is used for most transactions in the Philippines. ATM machines are available in urban areas. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, with automated teller machines (ATM) operating 24 hours. Western Union has facilities in most towns, cities and provinces. Traveler’s cheques and major foreign currencies can be changed in most commercial banks and Central Bank dealers. They are also accepted in the majority of hotels, shops and restaurants. MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diner's Club are widely accepted in major organizations in big cities of the Philippines.

UN Volunteer benefits and entitlements:

-International UN Youth Volunteer receives approximately USD 2,013.62 as Monthly Living Allowance. -Provided with assignment travel cost and entry lumpsum. -Enrolled in health, life, disability insurance. -Family allowance for recognized primary family unit: USD 250 for 1 dependent; USD 450 for 2 or more dependents. -Entitled to annual leave, 2.5 days per month. -Provided with exit allowance and repatriation travel to support transition at the end of assignment.

For more information about UNV Conditions of Service and Entitlements, please refer to the following:

-https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-abroad -https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unv.org