Operations Associate (Education)
Oversee education programmes and support coordination with stakeholders for displaced populations.
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Overview
Oversee education programmes and support coordination with stakeholders for displaced populations.
You have:
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience in educational programming, education management, or refugee affairs.
- Experience in collaborating with government entities and stakeholders in the education sector.
- Understanding of refugee education issues and initiatives for quality education.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in English; knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural team and handle multiple tasks.
Deadline for Applications
March 11, 2026Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
CFamily Type (not applicable for home-based)
FamilyStaff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA6Target Start Date
2026-03-16Terms of Reference
UNHCR Zimbabwe and Malawi are now part of the Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Zambia. The overall strategic direction across the three operations is to foster government-led approaches that advance integrated delivery of protection and solutions for displaced populations. Zimbabwe host over 11,000 refugees, asylum-seekers, and others of concern, mainly in Tongogara Camp and its surrounding host communities. Zimbabwe is a signatory to the 1951. UN Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention. Zimbabwe is current reviewing the 1983 Refugee Act which offers a chance to align national law with international standards and expand protection. Despite constraints, refugees are included in the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022–2026). Education remains one of the key strategic areas for UNHCR. The agency aims to strengthen inclusive quality education and support national efforts to integrate forcibly displaced children into the mainstream education system. In line with the strategic priority, UNHCR has been supporting education programmes in Tongogara Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities, including through expanding access to connected education for refugee and host community learners, improving teaching quality through digital tools, and enhancing student engagement and retention. The programme targets over 5,000 learners from Primary 1 to 7 and aligns with UNHCR’s broader education strategy and the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to transforming Tongogara into a service-oriented settlement. While the position will directly report to the Head of National Office, Zimbabwe, the incumbent will work closely with the Senior Operations Officer and Programme Unit at the Multi-Country Office with a dotted technical supervision line to the Education focal point in the MCO.
The position will oversee education and related programming implementation and working closely with the Chipinge District and Ministry of Primary and Secondary education on the policy framework, integrated education planning and coordination. Given the integrated nature of interventions in Tongogara Refugee Settlement and the need to coordinate with different stakeholders, the incumbent will also support regular operational programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. The position will also support the implementation of the various projects at field level, ensure well-organized communication and coordination between UNHCR, partners, and government entities and communities, provide regular reporting to various internal and external stakeholders including national education authorities.
The Operations Associate (Education) will lead the day-to-day implementation, coordination, and monitoring of education and related interventions including on ProFuturo Connected Education and Primary Impact programmes as well as other duties assigned. The role is critical to ensuring alignment with national education priorities, effective stakeholder engagement, and the sustainability of education interventions for refugee and host community learners. The position will also support overall operational and programme planning, implementation and reporting on various UNHCR interventions and partnerships engaged.
Specific duties and responsibilities
Coordinate and monitor implementation of day-to-day education programmes including setting up trainings, delivery plans, progress reports including to national level education authorities etc
Ensuring alignment with the national curricular through monitoring content on the PFF platform, matching content with curricular resources and ensuring coherence of content creation and community of practice
Participate in local humanitarian and development sector working groups to support and ensure refugees issues, needs and capacities are amplified and that refugees are not left behind.
Liaise with external partners like Ministry of Education, District Authorities, UN agencies, Development partners, NGOs and civil society and donors on ongoing programme activities to further inclusion of social services including education.
Provide administrative and operational support across a range of programme activities by fostering linkages and coordination, monitoring and reporting on child protection, GBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others, and provide advice on advocating for other actors to ensure that they fully integrate related concerns/needs in their planning and programmes.
Support programme design, planning, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring of education and other related activities by providing regular reports/updates on programmes, operational activities, achievements and challenges, happenings with implication on refugees …
Perform other related duties as required.Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote
No
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with education programme implementation in a refugee context? | The interviewer wants to assess your direct experience and understanding of educational needs in refugee settings. | Highlight specific programmes you have worked on, the number of beneficiaries, and partnerships involved. |
| How do you ensure stakeholder engagement in educational projects? | This question assesses your skills in collaboration and partnership-building. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you faced challenges in programme monitoring and how you addressed them. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you implement to ensure alignment with national education policies? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you advocated for refugees' educational needs? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What metrics do you consider important when assessing the success of an education programme? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Discuss your approach to reporting on programme activities and achievements. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you integrate child protection and gender considerations into educational programming? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 3 months ago
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Updated 3 months ago
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Source:
unhcr.org
