Education Specialist (Monitoring and Reporting)
Provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance for education programmes.
Overview
Provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance for education programmes.
You have:
- A minimum of three (03) years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
- Experience in the field of education programme management and, in particular in supporting programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, is an asset.
- Experience in emergency settings or developing countries is frequently required or considered a strong asset.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as asset.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF supports governments and partners to ensure that every child survives, learns, is protected, and can fulfill their potential.
In Cameroon, UNICEF supports the Government in strengthening equitable access to quality education and protective learning environments for children and adolescents, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized populations affected by poverty, displacement, emergencies, exclusion, and protection risks.
Under the supervision of the Chief, Education the Education Specialist (Monitoring and Reporting) provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for education programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting. The monitoring and reporting role is critical for evaluating project milestones, ensuring accountability, and driving equitable learning outcomes. To make a difference, the Education Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) must perform the following key functions:
Programme Monitoring and Data Analysis
• Data Collection & Analysis: Systematically collect, evaluate, and analyze data to track the progress of education policies, frameworks, and interventions. • Routine Monitoring: Regularly review sectoral programs by conducting field visits, reviewing surveys, and participating in annual evaluations with local governments and NGO partners. • Resource Tracking: Monitor and report on the use of programmatic resources (such as financial, administrative, and educational supplies) to verify compliance with donor commitments and organizational integrity.
Reporting and Knowledge Management
• Drafting Inputs for Reports: Compile data and draft relevant sections for donor reports, annual sectoral reviews, and consolidated emergency reports. • Identifying Bottlenecks: Draft reports that highlight critical issues, implementation bottlenecks, and potential problems, alerting higher-level management so timely interventions can be made. • Institutionalizing Lessons Learned: Maintain records of assessments and evaluations to capture successes and challenges, ensuring lessons are integrated into future program planning.
Technical Support and Partnership Building
• Quality Assurance: Provide technical assistance to field offices and implementing partners to ensure consistency and quality in programmatic data and reports. • Technical Support: Provides operational guidance to government counterparts, NGO partners, and local stakeholders regarding UNICEF policies and best practices. • Networking & Partnerships: Builds and sustains partnerships with local authorities, donors, and other UN agencies to scale educational initiatives and mobilize resources. • Partner Communication: Work collaboratively with UN partners, civil society, and government counterparts to share monitoring results and coordinate follow-up actions. • Programme Development & Planning: Assists in drafting situation analyses, data reports, and sectoral goals for national or regional education strategies. • Innovation & Capacity Building: Identifies and introduces innovative practices (such as digital learning) and helps build the capacity of local stakeholders to sustain improvements in education quality.
☒ Communication ☒ Crisis and emergency response ☒ Development programmes ☒ Education
Competencies and values: (If competency‑based interviews are used, list only those competencies that are directly relevant to the assignment, using the host entity’s competency framework where applicable. The list below is only indicative.)
Core Values
• Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability
Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) Works Collaboratively with others (2) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) Innovates and Embraces Change (2) Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) Drive to achieve impactful results (2) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• A minimum of three (03) years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required. • Experience in the field of education programme management and, in particular in supporting programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, is an asset. • Experience in emergency settings or developing countries is frequently required or considered a strong asset. • Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as asset.
Cameroon is a unique country 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.
Potential interview questions
| Describe a time you successfully monitored a program and what the impact was. | This question assesses your monitoring and evaluation skills. | Provide specific examples of your role in monitoring and the outcomes achieved. |
| How do you handle challenges in data collection and analysis? | This question evaluates your problem-solving abilities in data management. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of a successful partnership you've built? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What innovative practices have you introduced in your previous roles? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure compliance with donor commitments in program reporting? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Discuss a time you had to analyze complex data for decision making. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you employ to identify bottlenecks in program implementation? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you integrate lessons learned into future program planning? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |