NUNV Knowledge Management Officer (Education), New Delhi

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Since the beginning of the 2018-22 country programme, there have been various changes in the operating environment that have impacted UNICEF India education programmes. The Ministry of Education integrated its different schemes to support school education into one integrated scheme Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan supporting the continuum of learning from pre-school to grade 12. In July 2020, the ministry adopted a new National Education Policy (NEP) which has made several significant recommendations. Some of these include a new curricular structure of 5+3+3+4 to replace the existing structure. The new system will have 12 years of schooling with an additional three years of pre-school. The NEP accords high priority to children attaining basic foundational skills by the end of grade 3, hence the first 5-years of schooling is referred to as the foundational stage, development of a new curricular framework and an increased focus on improving quality and achievement of learning outcomes including measurement of learning outcomes, use of online and digital education. Schools and anganwadi centres have been closed since March 2020, affecting learning for 286 million children aged 3-18-years. Measures have been taken by government and other stakeholders to provide remote learning opportunities using digital and non-digital means. Rapid assessments showed that only 50 per cent or less of children have accessed remote learning opportunities. Children from the more marginalised communities have lost out due to socio-economic, linguistic, structural, geographic, and gender specific barriers – children with disabilities. Even when children and adolescents are accessing remote learning –how much they are learning is not known.

Purpose for the job Under the overall guidance Chief of Education and/or Education Specialists, the UNV will provide technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the education programmes/projects within the Country Programme. The UNV will deliver on technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluation, documentation and reporting of results. A strong focus will be on knowledge management, reporting, and dissemination through different channels.

1. Support to programme planning • Provide support by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions; preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results. • Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process. • Assist with documenting including of meetings

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results • Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned. • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects and to report on required action and interventions at the higher level of programme management. • Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors, and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building • Support the development, and implementation of a nutrition section knowledge management, and information sharing strategy and action plan • Support strategizing, planning, and reputing on strategic advocacy initiatives. • Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders. • Support documentation of innovative approaches and good practices for implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results. • Research, benchmark, and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.

4. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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.

4. Results/expected outputs:

As an active team member of Education Section, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF India and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Regular internal communication produced as per office protocols and schedule, including situation reports, monitoring indicators and presentations • Donor reports delivered on time and at solid quality standards, as per agreed reporting schedules and format with UNICEF’s donors • Regular coordination meetings attended, drafting meeting minutes and support with coordination of follow up actions agreed during the meetings • 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, Integrity, teamwork and respect for diversity, commitment to continuous learning, planning & organizing, communication, flexibility, 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area, e.g. education, child development or areas related to social sciences; • At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in international development, or in project management or in communication, or other relevant programmes; experience with development organizations is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • At least 2 years of professional experience preferred in areas of advocacy, social mobilization, communication, program planning and public advocacy and/or related areas in development organisations. • 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; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in Child Rights in the context of education volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved all-round socio-economic progress since Independence. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity. New Delhi is the national capital of India and is situated in the central part of India. The city is home to thousands of businesses and international companies and embassies, making it very cosmopolitan in nature, and culturally rich. The housing market in India has a range of houses and apartments for short and long-term rental. The market ranges from a ‘services apartment’ with amenities included, homestay, small apartment to a large independent house, depending on your budget and needs. Central heating is rare, and floors tend to get cold during winter. Depending upon the size, location and furnishing, the prices of houses may vary. Consider buying your own furniture if you are thinking to stay beyond a year, especially if renting an apartment. Ask your buddy or colleagues about the average prices in the neighbourhood to make sure you are being offered a fair price. Colleagues generally recommend housing with a gas cooker as opposed to an electrical cooker. Cooking gas cylinders should be kept in stock with provisions for several months. Proprietors request two-three months’ rent payment at the start of a lease as a security deposit. Rental advance is possible from the office by completing the necessary form. Be in touch with India HR to ask for assistance. UNICEF South Asia also has an initiative called Spouse & Partner Employment Initiative (SPEI), to support spouses of staff members working in the South Asia Region in finding employment, primarily with UNICEF offices as well as other UN Agencies and International Organizations. With this initiative, we update the spouse / partner of the staff member with any new openings, which may be relevance to their qualifications, experience, and interest. Work opportunities for spouses / partners are available with the presence of multinationals, corporates, and development sector organizations. However, if hired by any organization a work permit must be applied for through the same hiring organization.