Education Specialist

Volunteering Teaching & Training

Overview

Support implementation of education programs for children in South Sudan.

You have:

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the education sector.
• Experience with the European Union is an asset.
• Experience in programme development and management in education, especially access to education for the most marginalized 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.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Solid skills in financial management of projects, financial overview, and reporting; knowledge of European Union reporting standards appreciated.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

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.

Established in 1946, UNICEF is present in over 190 countries and territories and is globally recognized for its contribution to high-level dialogue and thought leadership based on field evidence, research, and data analysis. UNICEF works around the world to support quality learning for every girl and boy, especially those in greatest danger of being left behind. UNICEF has been operating in South Sudan since 1989, when South Sudan was still part of Sudan. The South Sudan country office was established in 2011 when the country gained its independence. In addition to the main Country Office in Juba, UNICEF has six fully operational Field Offices in Juba, Wau, Bor, Yambio, Malakal and Bentiu and three zonal offices in Rumbek, Renk, and Pibor. This extensive footprint enables UNICEF to effectively operate in all 10 States and three Administrative Areas either directly or indirectly through a network of about 157 partners In South Sudan, an estimated In South Sudan, 59 percent (2.8 million) of children aged 3–17 years were out of school in 2020, of whom 53 percent were girls. One in five enrolled children drop out of school (24 percent of girls, compared with 21 percent of boys). The Gender Parity Index stands at 0.88 for primary education and 0.80 for secondary education. Child marriage and home-based responsibilities are the most common reasons for girls not attending school. The country is home to 1.3 million child brides. South Sudan is going through a dramatic humanitarian crisis, driven by extreme weather events linked to climate change, a deepening economic crisis, and political/community violence. In 2022, floods caused the closure of 877 schools, disrupting learning for 427,743 children. Considerable internal and cross-border displacement due to conflict and climate has further strained education. The man made and natural disasters disproportionately affect girls’ enrolment, retention, completion, and transition to secondary. Additionally, 53% of children come to school on an empty stomach in South Sudan. 83% of the school children’s families count on the school meal being the main meal of the day for their children and so UNICEF works closely with the World Food Programme (WFP) to ensure that children eat at least one nutritious meal a day, which promotes school attendance, enrolment, and retention, thereby enabling learning and better student's grades.

Under the guidance of the Education Programme Manager (P-4), the IUNV Education Specialist will be accountable for programme implementation and administration of the European Union (EU) funded joint project implemented by International Organization for Migration (IOM), WFP, and UNICEF within the Education section, in accordance with the Country Programme Recommendation and Country Programme Management Plan, focussed on achievement of UNICEF's Priorities. The IUNV Education Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

1) Technical support to EU funded joint project implemented by IOM, WFP, and UNICEF a) Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners on quality implementation of education activities as per project documents b) Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, and donors, through active networking, advocacy and effective communication c) Reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable results in line with project document on managed project 2) Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluations for EU funded joint project implemented by IOM, WFP, and UNICEF a) Undertakes field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action for the managed project b) Ensure that the project is strengthened by knowledge management through data collection and analysis, complete and accurate reporting c) Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts, reporting on data related to managed project d) Ensure the timely preparation of annual programme, semi-annual, and other ad hoc reports for managed grant. e) Participate in information exchange through donor and media visits, working groups related to project implementation, education section’s monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, etc. 3) Optimum Use of Project Funds for reaching expected results for EU funded joint project implemented by IOM, WFP, and UNICEF a) Assist in establishing project work plans and monitors progress and compliance with project results b) Help to manage allocation and disbursement of programme funds, ensuring that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated c) Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Ensure project efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation 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.

Results/expected outputs

As an activeUNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • The quality and timely implementation of the EU funded joint project implemented by IOM, WFP, and UNICEF leading to its completion in December 2025. • Partnership agreements with a local or international NGO under managed grants are successfully, monitored for results and financial management. • The capacities of (I)NGOs partners and coordination are strengthened, and they are able to deliver quality data on programme implementation. • Evidences are produced/collected every quarter on access and quality education standard indicators for the implementation of activities by education partners such as divisions of the Ministry of Education and NGOs for activities related to managed project. • The age, gender and diversity perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • Programmatic and financial reports for EU donor on quality and access to education for all children are developed in line with project documentation. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the education sector; experience with the European Union is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Experience in 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; • Solid skills in financial management of projects, financial overview, and reporting; knowledge of European Union reporting standards appreciated; • 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.

Juba is the capital city of South Sudan and is home to the main political parties and national Government Line Ministries. Embassy of countries represented in South Sudan/country offices of the Humanitarian community, including the UN, resides in Juba. Juba is also the capital of the Central Equatorian State. Accommodation for UNICEF international personnel in Juba is limited to two locations – Classique and Naivasha compounds. Both locations are cleared by the UN Security Management System and follow mandated measures defined under the Security Risk Management (SRM) Area documentation. South Sudan is a unique country with a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

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