Education Data, Planning and Knowledge Expert

Volunteering Teaching & Training

Overview

Support inclusive education through data management and capacity building in the Pacific.

You have:

• Master's degree in education, economics, statistics, social sciences, information/knowledge management, or a related field.
• At least 7 years' professional experience in education, knowledge management, monitoring & evaluation, or closely related fields is required.
• Experience with the UN/international organizations, government and development partners in Fiji is an asset.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, and strong proficiency in other digital tools (e.g., Word, Powerpoint, Teams) and strong organization/time-management skills.
• Strong knowledge/records management: organizing cloud-based platforms spaces with clear structures, metadata, permissions, and version control; ability to develop simple SOPs and promote consistent use.
• Proven collaboration and cultural sensitivity; ability to work inclusively with ministries, partners and communities across Pacific contexts, applying an equity lens and respecting local protocols.
• Fluency in English (written and oral).
• Fijian national or otherwise legally authorized to work in Fiji.

Contract

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

UNICEF is mandated to uphold the rights of every child and to help every girl and boy survive, learn, and thrive. UNICEF Pacific operates as a Multi-Country Programme headquartered in Suva, Fiji, working with 14 Pacific Island countries and territories across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The Education programme supports governments to build inclusive, equitable, and resilient learning systems aligned with national plans and Sustainable Development Goal 4, recognizing the Pacific’s unique geography, cultural diversity, and exposure to climate and disaster risks.

Across the region, education systems face shared challenges: dispersed populations and remote schooling, variable access to early learning, uneven foundational literacy and numeracy, and infrastructure and connectivity constraints. At the same time, there is strong momentum to strengthen policies, planning, and service delivery that improve quality and equity, from early childhood through secondary education, while ensuring gender and disability inclusion. Partnerships with ministries, development partners, communities, and youth are central to this effort, along with respectful engagement that reflects Pacific knowledge and identity.

Evidence generation and use are core to UNICEF Pacific’s approach. Administrative and learning data (e.g., EMIS, examinations and assessments, household surveys), research, and routine monitoring help governments and partners understand who is learning, where gaps persist, and which approaches work in context. Clear internal knowledge practices, reliable data stewardship, and timely, accessible communication of insights support more coherent planning, stronger accountability, and adaptive management. Sharing Pacific-centered stories and lessons learned further enables advocacy and policy dialogue that translates evidence into action for children.

1. Data & Information Management

Design and implement a SharePoint structure with clear folders, naming conventions, permissions, and version control.

Draft and roll out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for file management and knowledge sharing.

Establish and maintain a repository of education datasets (EMIS, learning assessments, MICS), including metadata, codebooks, and update cycles.

Conduct regular quality checks on datasets to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with UNICEF standards.

Train colleagues on SharePoint use and data stewardship practices.

2. Programme Planning & Reporting

Maintain the master Excel workplan tracker and update UNICEF’s online workplan system.

Conduct consistency checks across workplans, grant agreements, HR plans, and supply plans.

Support the preparation of annual results reporting (CSI, RAM, donor reports) with accurate data and aligned narratives.

Develop and update indicator frameworks to track programme performance.

Consolidate inputs from multiple countries and partners into clear, evidence-based reporting.

3. Evidence Products & Storytelling

Produce short evidence briefs, dashboards, and case studies tailored to programme reviews, donor reporting, and planning.

Design visual summaries (infographics, simple data dashboards in Excel/Power BI) to highlight key results and trends.

Co-develop human-centered stories that celebrate education successes and challenges across Pacific Island countries.

Package evidence into communication materials for advocacy, resource mobilization, and policy dialogue.

4. Partnerships & Capacity Strengthening

Work closely with Ministries of Education to co-produce and validate datasets and evidence products.

Provide hands-on support and training for UNICEF colleagues and ministry focal points on data use, reporting tools, and evidence-based planning.

Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions across UNICEF Pacific offices to promote consistent practices in data and reporting.

5. Pacific-Centered Approaches

Ensure all products and processes are culturally sensitive, inclusive of Pacific languages and values.

Highlight equity-focused analysis (e.g., gender, disability, rural-urban, climate-affected communities).

Integrate climate and small-island vulnerabilities into evidence products and education planning.

• Values: Care; Respect; Integrity; Trust; Accountability; Sustainability.

• Core competencies (UNICEF): o Builds and maintains partnerships (1) o Works collaboratively with others (2) o Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1) o Innovates and embraces change (1) o Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) o Thinks and acts strategically (2)

Required: • Master’s degree in education, economics, statistics, social sciences, information/knowledge management, or a related field. • At least 7 years’ professional experience in education, knowledge management, monitoring & evaluation, or closely related fields is required. • Experience with the UN/international organizations, government and development partners in Fiji is an asset. • Advanced proficiency in excel, and strong proficiency in other digital tools (e.g., Word, Powerpoint, Teams) and strong organization/time-management skills. • Strong knowledge/records management: organizing cloud-based platforms spaces with clear structures, metadata, permissions, and version control; ability to develop simple SOPs and promote consistent use. • Proven collaboration and cultural sensitivity; ability to work inclusively with ministries, partners and communities across Pacific contexts, applying an equity lens and respecting local protocols. • Fluency in English (written and oral). • Fijian national or otherwise legally authorized to work in Fiji.

Desirable • Experience in the Fiji/Pacific education sector and familiarity with education data systems and processes. • Experience in programme planning, results frameworks, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E), including familiarity with programme logic models and indicator frameworks. • Excellent writing, drafting, and reporting skills for varied audiences (e.g., briefs, analytical notes, results reporting), combined with the ability to prepare clear communication and advocacy materials, including human-centered stories and case studies grounded in evidence. • Experience delivering practical capacity-building (on-the-job coaching, quick clinics, SOP roll-out). • Exposure to gender/equity analysis and education in emergencies/climate resilience. • Working knowledge of a Pacific language (e.g., iTaukei, Fiji Hindi, or another Pacific language)

Fiji is generally stable and welcoming. Suva is the administrative and commercial hub with good amenities, though petty crime can occur, standard precautions apply and UNDSS guidance must be followed. International access is via Nadi (with frequent domestic connections to Suva); inter-island travel uses domestic flights and ferries. Climate is tropical maritime: warm and humid year-round, with a wet/cyclone season roughly November–April that can bring flooding and occasional power/water interruptions; preparedness is essential.

Cost of living is moderate to high for imported goods; local markets offer abundant fresh produce. Urban utilities (electricity, water, internet) are broadly reliable but occasional outages occur, especially during severe weather. Mobile networks and broadband are widely available in Suva; connectivity can be slower or patchy on outer islands. Health services include public hospitals and private clinics. Banking services and ATMs are widely available; local currency is FJD.

Cultural awareness is important: Fiji values community, respect for elders, and observance of local protocols: dress modestly in villages, seek permission before photography, and follow kava/meeting customs. Business attire is generally smart-casual. Alcohol is available, but discretion is expected, particularly in villages and on Sundays.

Fiji is a unique Pacific setting and UNICEF Pacific a distinctive operation. It offers a rich and rewarding environment, yet calls for cultural humility, flexibility, and resilience, especially during cyclone season and when travelling to remote areas. Stamina, adaptability, and a commitment to respectful engagement are essential.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org