Individual Contractor Education (Emergency), LAC Regional Office, Panama City, Panama (11.5 months)

Contract

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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 UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda, in line with our equity focus, working across our organization and with our partners in government, civil society and the private sector to support shifts in public policy, fuel social engagement, and increase investment for children.

For information of the work of our organization in the LAC Region, please visit our website: UNICEF LAC Region

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Assignment

The individual contractor will support the knowledge management and coordination tasks related to the knowledge sharing and capacity building functions associated with the work of the two partners involved: the Regional Education Working Group (REWG), co-led by UNICEF, and the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES), the REWG's regional affiliate. In addition, UNICEF is also part of the GADRRRES's Steering Committee as Chair of GADRRRES and as co-lead of Working Group 3: Risk Reduction & Resilience Education.

The IC will also support the strengthening of humanitarian coordination mechanisms in the education sector and the work related to the Comprehensive School Safety Framework, CSSF, in particular the Pillar III on Risk Reduction & Resilience Education); the education systems capacity development at the country level, regional and global level; and the development of capacity building and technical expertise of UNICEF education staff and partners to implement innovative and impactful learning solutions in emergencies contexts.

Under the overall guidance of the Education in Emergencies Specialist, the objective of this IC is to ensure the overall implementation of timely and adequate technical support, capacity development, knowledge sharing, monitoring, and reporting.

Specific Tasks

• Act as the Secretary of the Regional Education Working Group (REWG) in the organization, implementation and monitoring of the work plan; promote the development and strengthening of capacities and skills in DRR, preparation and response to emergencies in the educational sector; promote the implementation of actions in the education sector according to the needs identified at regional, national and local levels based on the Work Plan of the Global Cluster of Education, REDLAC (Risk Emergency Disaster Working Group for Latin America and the Caribbean), the Sendai Framework and the World Initiative for Safe Schools (WISS); promote research, the collection, systematization, analysis and exchange of information for the establishment of evidence in DRR, EiE and refugee and migration crises; support countries with migration and refugee flows and influx with technical advice, capacity building and support to mechanisms to ensure education access and continuation in migrant and refugee populations.

• Support the 2022-2023 work plan of the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES), focused on the school re-opening, building back better, and expanding UNICEF leadership in the spaces of refugee/migrant education and focusing on improving learning results in humanitarian settings to ensure that all schools are safe from disaster risks. The main tasks include contribute to collaborative work planning (including monitoring and reporting); support coordination, knowledge & information management for GADRRRES working groups, with a particular focus on Working Group III on Risk Reduction and Resilience Education; support the coordination, monitoring and reporting of GADRRRES activities in line with the Worldwide Initiative on Safe Schools; support the GADRRRES communication strategy and the development and dissemination of its newsletters; provide administrative and planning/implementation support to special events; and attend relevant meetings as required.

- In coordination with the REWG members, continue to support the strengthening and capacity building of the national Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms (clusters, education roundtables, etc.) of the education sector in the Latin America and the Caribbean region through the organization of trainings, workshops, and meetings, and the dissemination of relevant resources.

Expected Results

• The Secretary of the Regional Education Working Group (REWG) for Latin America and the Caribbean has implemented the 2022 Group activities in a timely manner, the capacities, and skills in DRR and EiE at the national, regional, and global level have been expanded and strengthened, and the knowledge and information related to the Regional Group have been timely and efficiently disseminated with all the relevant partners.

• The 2022 work plan of the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES) has been supported, the activities, meetings, and events of all the Alliance groups have been weekly supported, followed up and monitored (with a particular emphasis in the work of the Group III on Risk Reduction and Resilience Education), and the knowledge and information of the Alliance have been timely and efficiently disseminated with all the relevant partners.

• The national Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms (clusters, education roundtables, etc.) of the education sector in the Latin America and the Caribbean have increased and strengthened their capacities and skills in EiE and DRR matters.

Deliverables: Monthly report at the end of each calendar month.

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

Education: Bachelor degree in education, sociology, or any other relevant social science degree.

Experience: - A minimum of three years of professional experience in social development areas is required. - Demonstrated experience working in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, INGOs, civil society organizations, national authorities, and national/local partner agencies is required. - Experience working in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage. - Previous experience in the LAC region is an asset. - Previous experience working in education in emergencies and/or Disaster Risk Reduction is a distinct asset. - Sound understanding and previous experience working with the REWG and/or GADRRRES is a distinct asset.

Languages: Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of French or Portuguese will be considered an asset.

Technical knowledge -Technical knowledge in information and knowledge management skills is required. -Excellent written skills in Spanish and English are required. -Previous experience on and planning, monitoring and follow up using SharePoint and other Knowledge and information management tools is an asset.

Other skills and attributes - Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands. - Capacity to work in stressful conditions. - Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with RO, CO, and HQ. - Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills, with close attention to detail. - High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF's mission and professional values. - Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact, and discretion. - Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.

Supervision: The contractor will work under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist [Emergency], and in close collaboration with the Education Specialist [Migration].

Workplace: This is an office-based consultancy.

Travel: All costs will be estimated and added to the contract once they are determined based on UNICEF Rules and Regulations.

Duration: This contract is expected to start on 26 October 2022 with an estimated duration of 11.5 months.

How to Apply: Application should be submitted online and should include Resume, Cover Letter and Financial proposal. Qualified candidates are requested to submit daily, monthly, and total fees in their financial proposal.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and the following core competencies: Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness, Works Collaboratively with others, Builds and Maintains Partnerships, Innovates and Embraces Change, Thinks and Acts Strategically, Drive to achieve impactful results, and Manages ambiguity and complexity.

To view our values and competency framework please visit the following links: Our Values and Our Competencies.

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.