Education Specialist, P-3, Dili, Timor-Leste, 364 days

Join UNICEF in Timor-Leste to improve education outcomes for children.

UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Open positions at UNICEF
Logo of UNICEF

Application deadline in 11 days: Tuesday 21 Jul 2026 at 14:55 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Join UNICEF in Timor-Leste to improve education outcomes for children.

You have:

  • A Masters or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, development studies and any other related fields is required.
  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Programme Management, Planning, research in education, Early childhood development, preschool education and any other related fields is required.
  • Previous experience in project development, education policy analysis, education sector planning, partnership coordination, system strengthening is required.
  • Fluency in English is required and Korean (written and spoken) is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
  • Experience working with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) or KOICA funded programmes (directly or indirectly), as well as knowledge of Korean culture, working style and language will be an advantage.
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 103,762 USD and 135,868 USD.

Salary for a P-3 contract in Dili

The international rate of 74,649 USD, with an additional 39% (post adjustment) at this the location, applies. Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

More about P-3 contracts and their salaries.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Education

How can you make a difference?

Join our UNICEF Timor-Leste team and help shape a better future for every child. Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief Education, the Education Specialist provide support on the programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to improve learning outcomes and universal 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.

Find out how UNICEF programmes drives change for children in Timor-Leste by visiting https://www.unicef.org/timorleste.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks Support to programme development and planning:

  1. Support to programme development and planning
  2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
  3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
  4. Networking and partnership building
  5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD Education Specialist ECE.pdf

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

Minimum Requirements:

  • Education: A Masters or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, development studies and any other related fields is required.
  • Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Programme Management, Planning, research in education, Early childhood development, preschool education and any other related fields is required.
  • Skills: Previous experience in project development, education policy analysis, education sector planning, partnership coordination, system strengthening is required.
  • Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required and Korean (written and spoken) is highly desirable.

Desirables:

  • Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
  • Experience working with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) or KOICA funded programmes (directly or indirectly), as well as knowledge of Korean culture, working style and language will be an advantage.
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience in programme management and how it has prepared you for this role? This question assesses your direct experience in the field related to education programme management. Provide specific examples of your relevant experience and the results achieved.
How do you approach building partnerships in a project environment? Understanding your partnership-building strategies is crucial for collaboration in this role. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methods do you use to evaluate education programmes? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share an instance where you implemented an innovative solution in educational planning? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you consider when developing an inclusive education programme? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you manage complexities and uncertainties in project management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What role does community engagement play in your educational initiatives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure sustainable results in education programmes? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 day ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unicef.org