Education Specialist, NO-C, Fixed-Term, Kabul, Afghanistan

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

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.

For every child, Education

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.

Following the power transition on 15 August 2021, the public education system faces major challenges in terms of equitable access for all children, continued education financing, and learning outcomes. The change in the political and policy landscape precipitated the suspension of most external aid to the sector on which the education system relied, thus interrupting education service delivery. Both humanitarian and development education actors in Afghanistan now operate in a context without a clear policy framework, financing mechanism to channel aid, or dialogue structure that is led by a government – all within a complex sanctions environment. The education system is on the brink of collapse and 20 years of investments and progress are about to vanish. A collapse of the system will put millions of children out of school. Therefore, education must be prioritized as essential in the humanitarian response to ensure that children do not lose out on their right education - access to learning opportunities that are both lifesaving and life-sustaining, providing children with protection, linkages to essential services and skills and knowledge to build a future of opportunities

How can you make a difference?

The Education Specialist will support the Access Unit responsible for the implementation of a nationwide Community-based education programme, contribute to addressing issues related to girls’ access to education, and support the integration of gender-responsive aspects in the CBE and formal school settings.

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Education Specialist (P4), the Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Education (or a sector of) programmes and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of education programmes related to girls’ access to education within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education programmes/projects to improve learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education, especially for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged, and excluded in society.

1. Support to programme development and planning

• 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.
• Help supervisor set priorities, strategies, and design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues, the Ministry of Education, development, and local partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results

• 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.
• 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.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures, and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• 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.
• Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process.
• Participate in education programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice, and support.
• Draft policy papers, briefs, and other strategic programme materials for management use.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise, and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes.
• Support section’s fundraising efforts to secure funding for the implementation of education programmes.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fundraising for education programmes.
• Support section in the coordination of the work of the Access/CBE working group, Office Gender focal points task force, and other relevant forums.

5. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.

• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results in education and related programmes/projects.

  Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Education Specialist to programme preparation, planning, and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results agreed upon in the workplace, in results for CBE, integration of gender issues in the learning process, and will facilitate access to quality, equitable and inclusive education.

Success in education programmes and projects in turn contribute to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English, Dari and Pashto is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Technical Competencies

• Understanding of the overall global development context, including issues such as poverty, conflict, and the impact of these factors on education and vice-versa; and inter-sectoral approaches to address such issues in collaboration with other sectors (including Social Policy, Child Protection, Nutrition, WASH, Health, and Communications within UNICEF).
• Knowledge of global developments in education and international engagement strategies, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming.
• Strong 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.
• Strong ability to support policy dialogue: translation of analytical findings and evidence into development programme and policy discussions around equity and learning with partners, including government, development partners, CSOs and academia in relevant areas.
• Strong programme management in education, including programme design, costing, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.

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:

* Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.