Education Associate

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

UNICEF is a UN agency that works in 190 countries and is mandated to promote the protection of children’s rights, including a right to education. An emergency response office was opened in Poland, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, to support the families that were forced to leave their homes and their country. More than 2.86 million refugees have entered Poland from Ukraine, constituting one of the largest refugee movements in Europe in recent history. The large majority of arrivals have been women and children, including unaccompanied and separated children. It is estimated that around 65% of the total refugee population in the country are children under the age of 18.

UNICEF works to achieve 5 goal areas, including Goal 2: Every Child Learns, using 8 change strategies, including using the power of evidence to drive change for children. In line with this goal and strategy, UNICEF Poland’s Education Section works closely with the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), Municipalities and CSO partners to expand access to all forms of education and improve the quality and inclusiveness of education services for vulnerable Ukrainian and Polish children.

The National UN Specialist Volunteer will work under the overall guidance of the Chief of Education and direct supervision Education Specialist. As an Education Associate, the UN Volunteer will be mainly supporting the partnerships with CSO partners in Poland. He/she will be providing operational and technical support during the planning, implementation and monitoring as well as reporting phases.

This UNV assignment is designed to provide programmatic (technical and operational) support at the country office level to the UNICEF Poland Education Programme. This position will focus on tasks related to CSO partnerships.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Education Associate will:

• Support the development/establishment of sectoral program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, data collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information; • Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing a variety of technical program transactions, drafting materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning (development), results-based planning (RBM) and implementation as well as monitoring and evaluating results; • Draft required documentations/materials to facilitate the program review, approval, and implementation as well as monitoring processes; • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews with partners and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action; • Prepare draft inputs for programme/donor reporting and briefing notes as well as communication materials; • Provide technical and operational support to partners on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on education and related issues to support the delivery of results; • Support the effective working relations with partners through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programs; • Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on operational planning and preparation as well as implementation of education programs/projects; • Provide support in identifying, capturing, synthesizing and sharing lessons learned and capacity development of stakeholders; • Keep record of key information including reports and assessments for easy reference; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/expected outputs: As an active UNICEF team member, the UN Volunteer is expected to provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Meeting minutes, records, documents, studies; • Technical inputs for strategy documents, reports, programme documents and submissions; • Support the preparation and review of programme documents of CSO partners; • Collection and analysis of funding reports and education-related data; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and/or international level in education or other relevant programmes is considered an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills in English and Polish; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Ukrainian language skills would be an asset; • Sound understanding and familiarity with current digital tools and available knowledge management resources globally, and in Poland, and high level of digital literacy; • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Tools (Word, Excel and PowerPoint); • Good facilitation skills, for in-person and virtual events and meetings aimed at knowledge sharing, peer learning, or group reflection; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, and authorities at different levels; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in UNICEF, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The incumbent will be based in Warsaw, Poland which is safe location. Transport, medical, education and other services are acceptable in the city. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and markets at reasonable prices. Polish is the official language in Poland, however, English is also widely spoken.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and use the entitlement calculator (https://app.unv.org/calculator) for the most up to date information.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): PLN 6415.42 Entry lump sum (onetime payment) USD: 400 Travel Ticket when moving to duty station USD: 200 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): PLN 534.62

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days