Education Officer (Digital Transformation), NO-1, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

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, learning.

The Government of Mongolia has been prioritizing to integrate digitalization in social sectors to address existing needs and gap and developed a Medium-Term Action Plan for Becoming Digital Nation 2022-2027. Due to the unprecedented shift towards distance education brought by the pandemic and the transformation of the educational landscape catalyzed by digital transformation, there is a clear need for readiness in terms of connectivity, content and capacity in pre-primary and general education sector of Mongolia.

UNICEF has been leading this change, supporting the government on digital transformation, in particular through the introduction of innovative digital learning contents for pre-primary and primary education children. As so, UNICEF has made Digital Transformation in education a priority area for the new Country Programme Document of 2023-2027.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of Education Specialist, the Officer will be in charge of the digital transformation aspects of the education programme area, specifically the integration of technology to improve process efficiency and effectiveness and deliver strategic value to

the development projects and digital transformation initiatives. The specific tasks are as below but not limited to:

1. Support to programme development and planning

• Research and analyze regional and national digital transformation agenda and trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Support preparation of technical reports and provide inputs for programme preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
• Contribute to the development/establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Manage the implementation of UNICEF programme work in the area of digital transformation in education, specifically around Connectivity, Content and Capacity.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues.
• Suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare draft inputs for programme/donor reporting.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Provide technical support to the line ministry and relevant agencies in scaling up of interactive digital contents, offline audio lessons, strengthening existing educational platform as well as implementing global initiatives such as GIGA
• Provide technical support to strengthen capacity for the implementation digital competence framework and other relevant policy documents.
• Undertake field visits and surveys and share information with stakeholders to assess progress and refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on digital transformation in education programme.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances, and support fund raising for digital transformation in education programme.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Manage coordination, collaboration and communication with RO/HQ, partner organizations, and Government counterparts in the area of digital transformation in education

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Provide support in identifying, capturing, synthesizing, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders, particularly in the area of digital transformation in education.
• Manage documentation and knowledge management including facilitation and support of production of case studies, lessons learned, and visibility materials and present the work on relevant platforms

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

Education:

• A university degree in Information technology management, computer science, multimedia or related social science field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of of progressive professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in information communication technology integration and digital transformation initiatives, preferably in education sector.

Other requirements:

• Proven experience in successful management and coordination of project/programme
• Experience in leading digital initiatives from start to end
• Working experience and familiarity with digital solutions in education sector

Additional skills/competencies:

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and deliver excellent results
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to the changing situation quickly
• Attention to details and excellent presentation skill
• Good team work and communication skills
• Experience in structuring and developing compelling proposals and initiative in area of digital transformation
• Naturally inquisitive, driven to find optimal solutions and is at ease in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment
• Familiar with the UN system and knowledge about cluster mechanism would be asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (both verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships [I]

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness [I]

• Drive to achieve results for impact [I]

• Innovates and embraces change [I]

• Manages ambiguity and complexity [I]

• Thinks and acts strategically [I]

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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