Education Specialist (Gender)

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.

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s flagship programming initiative on equity and inclusion in education. The Education programme in Lebanon aims to support the most marginalized children to access quality education and integrated services which address multiple needs, including a focus on children with disabilities, refugees, out of school children, gender (marginalized girls and boys) and the poorest.

Within its programme of cooperation with the Government of Lebanon, UNICEF is working closely with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, development and implementing partners to ensure that crisis-affected girls and boys have access to inclusive, gender responsive, and relevant quality learning and protective learning environments both in formal and non-formal education sectors. Also, UNICEF, UNESCO and Save the Children started a joint implementation of the Education Cannot Wait Multi-Year-Resilience Programme (MYRP) 2022-2024 to secure the right to education for crisis-affected girls and boys in Lebanon. MYRP is focused on the following four programme outcomes:

• Crisis-affected girls and boys have access to inclusive, gender-responsive, and relevant quality learning. • Crisis-affected girls and boys learn in inclusive, gender-responsive and protective learning environments, where their specific needs are met. • Crisis-affected Girls, boys and adolescents achieve better learning outcomes in education. • Sufficient resources are mobilised to scale implementation of the programme and to monitor programme quality based on robust evidence base.

UNICEF is designated as a gender lead organization (GLO) during the MYRP development process by the MYRP development team at the country level. The objective of such a role is to ensure that during the MYRP implementation phase, sufficient resources will be allocated to strengthen gender capacity at the country level within the MYRP country team and provide dedicated gender technical support, monitoring, training, and knowledge management/ production is available to all grantees and sub-grantees.

To increase dedicated gender capacity and expertise and ensure that gender is adequately mainstreamed throughout the MYRP programming and implementation in Lebanon, UNICEF is looking for an Education Specialist (Gender) with international knowledge and experience.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Education Specialist, Equity, and Inclusion or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Education Specialist (Gender) will:

• Ensure the implementation of all the gender deliverables in the MYRP (gender mainstreaming and gender targeted strategies). • Lead on capacity building and knowledge building and management on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in EiEPC (EiE-GenKit | UNGEI). • Provide strategic advice to MYRP steering committee for integration of gender. • Serve as quality assuror in MYRP implementation ensuring gender issues properly addressed. • Support in creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of resource mobilization strategies.

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

Gender mainstreaming and women and girls’ empowerment, ideally within the education context. • Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of gender mainstreaming projects in the humanitarian and development contexts. • Experience in coordination. • Previous work experience in MYRP country context.

The UN Security System in Lebanon is divided into two UN areas of operation. One is the southern area of the country which lies to the south of Litani River (SLR) under the responsibility of the peace keeping force (UNIFIL) according to the UN resolution 1701/2006. The rest of the country is called North Litani River (NLR).

Rafik Hariri International airport is located in the southern suburbs of Beirut, less than 10km away from downtown. A taxi from the airport to downtown Beirut cost around $10-15 and make sure to agree on the price before stepping into the taxi. It is advisable to book the taxi in advance (ROMENA can assist with this). All public transportation vehicles in Lebanon have a red license plate. For transportation within Beirut, you have three options: “service” car (taxi off the street with a lower cost than the private taxi), private taxi or minibus. However, only taxis are securely advised to use as a mean of transportation.

Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate - hot and dry in summer (June to August), cool and rainy in winter (December to February). In summer humidity is very high along the coast and daytime temperatures average 30°C, with night temperatures not much lower. Winter is mild, with daytime temperatures averaging 15°C. In the mountains, summer days are moderately hot (26°C on average) and the nights cool. Winters are cold, with snowfall above 1300m. The minimum lease duration in Lebanon is generally a half or one year, where tenants usually have to pay a one or several months’ rent in advance. In addition, an amount of one month rent is usually required by the landlord as a security deposit in case of property damage. Additionally, tenants who sign a one-year contract has the right to hold onto the property for three consecutive years. Thereafter, the landlord is entitled to end the contract, or to renegotiate. For rental contracts with a diplomatic clause, individuals have the right to terminate the lease before the end of the agreement. In the event of early termination of the lease, the landlord shall reimburse the tenant the monetary value of the remaining months of the contract. Your rental amount will most probably not cover electricity, telephone, Internet, or cable television service. These are all additional charges, which you should consider when calculating your monthly budget. In addition to the rent, expect to pay common charges for the building, which cover the electricity of the common areas of the building, fees for the concierge and fuel for the generator. This is subject to negotiation with landlord.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services. Staff can use credit card or cash, Lebanese Pounds and USD, to pay for the services. Also, Cigna insurance used by many UN staff is well recognized in hospitals, listed in the next section, in case of emergency. Most hospitals are well equipped, and doctors are generally well qualified. Also, most medical staff speak both French and English.

Upon arrival, you may purchase a SIM card from any of the two main cell phone providers in the country: Touch and Alfa. Although you might find it challenging to find fast Internet in Lebanon, there are many internet providers in Lebanon that offer DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and wireless internet services. The standard DSL monthly subscription prices vary depending on the speed and the monthly consumption (in GB) you select.

For meetings and official activities taking place in Lebanon, normal business attire is expected.

During the rainy season, the pavements can become a bit slippery and so, if walking to and from the Office ensure you have shoes with a decent grip.

Further information can be found here: UN staff Orientation Handbook