Education Specialist (Sector Coordination)

Volunteering Teaching & Training

Overview

Support education sector coordination and policy dialogue in Senegal.

You have:

• Education sector programmes, policy support, sector coordination or multi-stakeholder engagement experience is essential.
• Good understanding of education sector policies, planning, monitoring and coordination mechanisms is essential.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation and reporting skills are essential.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills are essential.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners is essential.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and ability to meet tight deadlines is essential.
• Interest in education sector development, children’s rights, partnership coordination, volunteerism is essential.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to promote and protect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. In Senegal, UNICEF supports the Government in strengthening equitable access to quality education, improving learning outcomes, and reinforcing system resilience, in alignment with national priorities outlined in the PAQUET-EF and broader national development frameworks.

The education sector in Senegal is coordinated through established mechanisms bringing together Government, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders, including the Groupe National des Partenaires de l’Éducation et de la Formation (GNPEF), the Groupe Thématique Éducation, Formation et Emploi (GTEFE) and related technical groups. In parallel, UNICEF co-leads, together with UNESCO, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Results Group 4 on equitable access to quality basic social services and social protection. As a key development partner, UNICEF plays an active role in supporting sector coordination, policy dialogue, inter-agency collaboration and alignment of partner interventions.

In the context of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNICEF also serves as Grant Agent for the System Capacity Grant (SCG), which supports national capacities in sector planning, coordination, monitoring and financing. The SCG contributes to key sector processes, including sector reviews, operationalization of sector priorities and strengthening of coordination mechanisms at national and decentralized levels.

Within this framework, the UN Volunteer will be embedded in the Education Section of the UNICEF Senegal Country Office and will work under the supervision of the Chief of Education, supporting sector coordination efforts and contributing, as needed, to selected programme activities linked to sector dialogue, coordination and partnerships.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Education, the UN Volunteer will support education sector coordination, partnership engagement, strategic follow-up and selected programme activities, in close collaboration with Government counterparts, development partners, UN agencies and civil society organizations.

The UN Volunteer will contribute to the following tasks:

1. Support to education sector coordination and policy dialogue:

• Support the Chief of Education and the Education Section in the follow-up of education sector coordination processes, in alignment with national priorities and sector frameworks.

• Assist in the preparation and follow-up of sector coordination meetings and related documentation (e.g. GNPEF, GTEFE, RG4 and related technical groups).

• Contribute to information sharing and collaboration across Government, development partners, UN agencies and civil society organizations.

• Support the preparation of sector reviews, joint missions, briefing materials and key coordination outputs.

• Contribute, as required, to coordination efforts at decentralized level and to liaison with sector stakeholders.

2. Support to selected activities related to sector planning and monitoring:

• Support the follow-up of selected activities under the System Capacity Grant (SCG), in coordination with Government counterparts and partners.

• Assist in the organization and technical preparation of sector reviews and related processes.

• Contribute to tracking implementation progress and identifying issues requiring follow-up.

• Support documentation and follow-up related to sector coordination mechanisms supported through the SCG.

3. Support to sector analysis, partnerships and knowledge management:

• Monitor key sector developments and contribute to analytical notes, briefing materials and summaries to support coordination and programme discussions.

• Assist in the preparation of inputs for partner engagement, donor discussions and strategic exchanges, as required.

• Contribute to knowledge management, documentation of key processes and internal information sharing within the Education Section.

4. Flexible programme and operational support:

• Provide ad hoc technical and operational support to education programme activities, as required.

• Support cross-cutting initiatives and internal coordination within UNICEF.

5. Contribute to other tasks requested by the Chief of Education and the Education Section, in line with programme priorities and evolving operational needs.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote volunteerism through engagement with communities and partners during the course of their work.

• Accountability

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Communication

• Judgement and decision-making

• Planning and organizing

• Professionalism

• Teamwork and respect for diversity

• Self-management

• Commitment to continuous learning

• Integrity

• Education sector programmes, policy support, sector coordination or multi-stakeholder engagement

• Good understanding of education sector policies, planning, monitoring and coordination mechanisms

• Working with Government counterparts, development partners, civil society organizations and/or UN agencies in support of coordination and sector processes

• Preparation of analytical notes, reports, briefing materials and meeting documentation

• Support to sector planning, monitoring, review processes or institutional coordination mechanisms is desirable

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge:

• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including follow-up of actions and processes involving multiple stakeholders

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent drafting, formulation and reporting skills

• Accuracy and professionalism in document production, editing and follow-up

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a multicultural environment, including within teams composed of international and national personnel

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), email and internet tools

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and ability to meet tight deadlines

• Sound analytical, proactive and pragmatic approach

• Sound security awareness

• Interest in education sector development, children’s rights, partnership coordination, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the UN system.

The assignment will be based in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, classified as a family duty station (Hardship classification A). Dakar is a regional hub for West Africa and hosts numerous UN agencies, international organizations and diplomatic missions.

Senegal benefits from a relatively stable social and political environment and is widely recognized for its hospitality, cultural diversity and openness. The city offers generally good living conditions, with access to banking services, supermarkets, restaurants, telecommunications and internet services.

Medical facilities in Dakar are considered adequate, with access to both public and private healthcare services. Housing options include furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses, although the cost of living in Dakar is relatively high compared to other cities in the country.

Transportation within Dakar is generally accessible through taxis, ride-hailing services and private vehicles, although traffic congestion can occur during peak hours. The city is served by an international airport with regular regional and international connections.

The climate is generally warm throughout the year, with a dry season and a rainy season. Flexibility, cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment are important for a successful assignment experience.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 5 days ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: unv.org