Girls Education Programme Coordinator

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.

In line with this goal and strategy, UNICEF EAPRO’s Education Section supports UNICEF Country Offices in 13 countries across the region in delivering quality inclusive education to all children. UNICEF EAPRO Education Section also works with partners at the regional level to carry out joint advocacy, capacity building and knowledge generation.

This UNV assignment is designed to support UNICEF EAPRO Education section to deliver a new and exciting flagship programme - Empowered and Equal Futures for Girls in Southeast Asia – that aims to empower and equalize girls through gender transformation of education by improving learning and skills, and promoting positive gender norms and equality for girls through strengthened gender-transformative approaches in education. Girls in basic education are the priority beneficiaries of the proposed programme in two target countries – Cambodia and Viet Nam - and at the regional level. The programme will be implemented in close collaboration with UNICEF Gender and Protection teams, the Cambodia and Viet Nam country offices and regional and national level partners.

The proposed programme aims to advance towards that aim by intervening in three key outputs:

1. System-level impact: Advancing gender transformative education policies, curricula and pedagogy (Focus countries: Cambodia and Viet
2. School and community level impact: Empowering the most marginalized girls with 21st century learning and skills
3. Regional Exchange: Policy mapping, capacity building, advocacy and evidence generation through cross-border collaboration on gender transformative education

The selected UNV will play a lead role in managing, coordinating, monitoring programme activities and results.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Education Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Girls Education Programme Coordinator. will:

• Support programme management/oversight and coordination for the Empowered and Equal Futures for Girls in Southeast Asia programme to support timely delivery of activities and outputs, in close collaboration with the EAPRO Regional Gender Adviser and Country Offices (COs) • Coordinate implementation for the activities within the regional component of the programme (Output 3) mentioned above to ensure timely completion of results and deliverables, including organizing regional meetings, coordinating research outputs and provide and contributing technical expertise • Provide technical assistance to COs on programme related matters • Monitor progress, including through field missions, and contribute to the external evaluation of the programme • Communicate, collaborate and participate in virtual and face to face meetings with programme partners, including regional partners, such as SEAMEO, ASEAN, UNESCO, UNWomen, Safe to Learn, and national level partners, as required • Work closely with UNICEF Country Offices and UNICEF colleagues in EAPRO, and HQ on Girls Education programming as needed, as needed • Prepare draft and, in consultation with the supervisor, ensure finalization of donor reports and other knowledge management products and documentation to showcase the results/progress of the programme, including communications products • Support the EAPRO Education team on Girls Education programming and its related tasks

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Validated pluri-annual implementation workplan for Equal and Empowered Girls programme, including key outputs, activities, inputs, milestones, timeline, indicators and benchmarks • Programme design/concept documents, including Terms of Reference for required external experts, as needed, and Concept Notes for key events and deliverables • Regional activities under output 3 completed in timely manner • Donor reports and programme documentation • Consultation processes with partners to validate concept document • Mission travel to support regional and country level activities, as needed • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Education, gender, programme management, and/or child protection or area related to social services, development studies, political or social sciences, public policies; a first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree; • At least 8 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the areas of education programmes and/or programme management; some experience working with gender programming, and/or child protection programmes an asset; some experience working with or advising ministries of education or other government institutes in low- middle income countries is an asset, as is experience working in the region and with UN or other international development organizations; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in Education and Gender programming, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Thailand 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.

Bangkok provides basic living needs, including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities and telecommunications/internet services are readily available. All staple foods can be found in the markets, eg: rice, meat, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil, salt, etc. Many imported goods are available in Bangkok and other places throughout Thailand. Bangkok has many good restaurants with good health standards and most guesthouses provide food. In Thailand the most used means of transportation are taxi or local bus (and, in Bangkok, the elevated train service). Mobile phone is the most dependable tool to be in- touch with colleagues and friends. Internet service is readily available and affordable at most apartment complexes. ATMs are everywhere in Thailand and Western cards can usually be used to withdraw Thai Baht.