Education Officer

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.

The UNICEF Jordan Education Programme is transitioning along the humanitarian to development continuum, shifting from large NGO driven programmes to providing strategy technical assistance to the education system. The focus is on improving access and retention in basic and secondary education, with a focus on learning recovery post COVID-19. This has entailed the design of new programmes which are currently being rolled at school, directorate, and national level.

As such the Education Section at UNICEF Jordan is seeking a national UN Volunteer specialist, that will provide critical support for the implementation of the current education priority areas in support of the Ministry of Education – widen access to education; system strengthening to improve learning outcomes; and creating demand for education through engagement of students, parents, and communities.

The assigned UN Volunteer will support the Education Section with delivering Learning Recovery programmes, for example, the Reading Recovery Programme (RRP). The RRP is a competency based foundational reading programme reaching approximately 19,000 children including Syrian refugee children to develop foundational reading skills post COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to ensure that all students enrolled in the RRP can read fluently at Grade 3 level or above. Grade 3 level reading proficiency means a student can read a grade three text at 35 words per minute and answer simple comprehension questions. Following a school year of programme implementation, the summative assessment results show that 75 per cent of learners enrolled in the programme in formal camp schools and Non-formal Education Centers are progressing in their reading skills.

Under the supervision of UNICEF Education Specialist, the assigned UN Volunteer is expected to provide operational support to RRP and other learning recovery programmes in coordination with a range of education stakeholders within and outside UNICEF Jordan. Additional support for the Education Section’s management of human resources and supplies is also expected.

Additional information:

National UN Specialist Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 1,068.5; • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; and • Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNICEF Education Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will support the below technical and operational streams of work:

• Programme Planning, Implementation and Reporting: • Contribute to the development of programme activity plans and budgets and participate in programme monitoring visits with oversight from assigned program manager. • Provide technical assistance to the development of education programme materials and resources for students and teachers in coordination with MOE counterparts, UNICEF education section and other stakeholders. • Support the organization and implementation of workshops and meetings for learning recovery programmes and other activities within the section as well as contribute to these meetings/ workshops. • Participate in grants management including making updates to grant tracking tools (finance, results);tracking progress of activities and preparing grant other documents relate to the grant. • Analyze and present both quantitative and qualitative data about assigned education programmes and contribute to program reporting for internal and external audiences. • Take leadership in managing a smaller education programme/project as needed and where possible.

• Programme Coordination and Communication: • Facilitate external and internal coordination and communication with education partners, stakeholders, and UNICEF sections such as Communications Section, IT, and other relevant sectors. • Input into website development from an educational perspective and monitor engagement on Facebook pages and other resources that support assigned education programmes. • Work with UNICEF’s sections and external partners involved in education related community support programmes - such as UNICEF Makani centres, youth centres and other relevant sectors.

• Programme Operations and Logistics: • Facilitate specific program related procurements including third party contracting, development of distribution plans and delivery to schools, end-user monitoring and printing required for assigned education programmes • Support for Human Resource Management related to national consultants and institutional contracts supporting all education programmes. This includes organizing and tracking leave, performance reviews, payments, interviews, onboarding and exit and other related needs. • Ensure that the Education Section’s overall supply plan is up to date, support the process of goods and services procurement, follow up with vendors, create distribution plans, coordinate transportation and camp permits for the education programmes assigned. • Provide support to any other related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism • Integrity. • Teamwork and respect for diversity. • Commitment to continuous learning. • Communication. • Flexibility. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.

education, development, or other relevant education programmes, at the national level. • Interest or experience with blended learning and ICT education is an asset but not compulsory. • Another desired/mandatory required technical knowledge. • Excellent oral and written skills in Arabic and English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting and data analysis skills. • Excellent people skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • 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. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Sound security awareness.

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health, and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among much of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship).

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan