Education Programme Officer

Volunteering Programme & Policy Teaching & Training

Overview

Support and manage education programs for children in humanitarian contexts.

You have:

• Bachelor's degree in education, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in education programme management, humanitarian response or development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; proficiency in French is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of gender analysis and equity issues in relation to education.
• Familiarity with UNICEF's policies and procedures in education.
• Ability to work effectively in a challenging multicultural environment.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Burkina Faso is the epicentre of a multidimensional humanitarian crisis affecting the Sahel region, driven by a combination of factors including armed violence and insecurity; demographic pressures; climate change; and health crises. From January to June 2023, there was an increase in the level of impact in terms of human casualties and the internal displacement of civilians due to violence and more than 1.3 million people are living in more than 40 besieged towns and villages. Violence has led to the internal displacement of more than 2,062,534 people and disrupting access to essential social services for 5,500,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance. As of 31 May, 6,149 schools are closed in Burkina Faso due to the ongoing attacks, affecting over a million children (49 per cent girls) and 31,000 teachers (32 per cent women). Nevertheless, UNICEF continues to deliver its programmes in various locations despite the volatility of the security context.

Under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist for Access (P-3) based in Ouagadougou, the UN Volunteers will undertake the following tasks: • Assist the education in achieving key results for children in KRC #3 - Equitable and Sustainable Access to Education and, to a lesser extent, the KRC #4 – Improving Learning Outcomes by supporting programme management, monitoring and delivery of results in education • Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results. • Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated. • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results. • Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme management. • Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals. • Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. • Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress. • Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education and related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

programme development and management in education, especially access to education for the most marginalize children in the context of complex emergencies • Basic understanding of gender and inequity issues in relation to education and development and the application of gender / equity analysis to policy and planning in education. • Basic knowledge of global developments in education and international engagement strategies, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming. • Some understanding of policies and strategies to address issues related to resilience: risk analysis and risk management, education in conflict situations, natural disasters, and recovery. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal 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 Microsoft 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; • Have affinity with or interest in children’s rights, humanitarian action, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Ouagadougou is an ideal location for a family-free assignment in Burkina Faso. The country has a relatively good infrastructure, with running water, electricity, sanitation and housing. In view of recent terrorist attacks and inter-community conflicts, it is imperative that all UN Volunteers familiarize themselves with security guidelines and the situation on arrival in the country.

UN Volunteers should be aware that they are exposed to a number of tropical diseases. Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for entry into Burkina Faso. Other compulsory vaccinations include hepatitis A, B and tetanus, which are available free of charge from the medical services in Ouagadougou. All UN Volunteers have 24-hour access to a medical services clinic.

Burkina Faso has a hot, dry climate with a long dry season. It is therefore advisable to bring light clothing. Various cell phone companies operate in Burkina Faso. SIM cards are available at the airport or in shopping malls.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org