Education Officer NOA (Global Partnership for Education), Open to the nationals of Armenia only

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.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is looking for a motivated professional with professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education. Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, the Education Officer will provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) programming process through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Education Programme within the Country Programme.

The overall objective of the programme funded by the GPE is “to support the Government of Armenia to improve the equity in access and the learning environment of basic education, response to the priority needs of the sector, strengthen institutional capacity at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS).

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support to GPE programme development and planning

• 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.
• Effective planning of related activities, availability of work plan and budget on time
• Ensure the management of the funds allocated to the implementation of approved activities;
• Coordinate the implementation of the overall GPE programme.

2. GPE Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners (GPE secretariat, ADB, Local Education Group) 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 GPE programme implementation

• 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.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on water, sanitation, hygiene and related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of 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 GPE programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results.
• Draft communication and information materials for GPE programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances, and support fund raising for education programmes.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

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.
• Follow up with the MoESCS to ensure that the select specialists who will participate in the process of GPE funded analysis and surveys adhere to UNICEF research ethics and quality standards and perform in accordance with UNIICEF specifications and rules and regulations.
• Participate in the preparation of quarterly and mid-year performance reports.
• Actively participate in designing and implementing the Joint Annual Review (JAR).

• Participate in the preparation of financial reports required on a regular basis.

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

Education:

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field. A Master’s degree in education or project management is a desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Technical Skills:

• Understanding of education policy development and ability to undertake policy discussions with senior government officials and UNICEF
• Ability for effective interaction and communication with stakeholders, management and staff.
• Familiar with donor-financed projects will be an advantage.

Languages:

Fluency in Armenian and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Russian, is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The core competencies required for this post are:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Analyzing (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Learning and researching (2)
• Planning and organizing (2)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

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