Preschool Education Programme Support Assistant

Volunteering Admin Teaching & Training

Overview

Support the implementation of ECCD/ECE programs and logistics activities in Sri Lanka.

You have:

• Three years of progressively responsible professional work experience in stakeholder coordination, supply management, and administrative and logistical work in the education sector.
• Experience in programme support, coordination, logistics/supply support, and administrative functions in the education sector.
• Experience working in early childhood development, education, community development, health & nutrition of children, or humanitarian programming.
• Ability to work with spreadsheets, data trackers, and reporting tools (Excel/Google Sheets).
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or other information-management systems.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

In recent years, significant developments have taken place in the ECCD & ECE sector in Sri Lanka. Some of the major milestones include the cabinet's approval of the ECCD Action Plan, the drafting of the ECE policy, the launch of the National Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework (ECECF), and the appointment of a new ECE director, along with the establishment of a dedicated unit at the Ministry of Education. To ensure implementation of these policies and to improve the quality and streamline the ECCD/ECE sector, much work is needed. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development (NSECD) have sought technical and financial support from UNICEF. This support is primarily aimed at implementing the ECE Curriculum Framework, conducting a preschool census, supporting the implementation of the ECCD Action Plan, and finalizing and executing the ECE policy. Under Sri Lanka's new education reforms, the preschool curriculum must be implemented by 2027. Therefore, there is an urgent need to finalise all related resources and begin final teacher training in 2026 to prepare approximately 35,000 preschool workforce. All of these initiatives require strong administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth organisation of workshops, training sessions, consultations, and related events with national and sub-national stakeholders. To assist with these efforts in ECCD/ECE, UNICEF is seeking a national UN Volunteer Specialist. Under the guidance of the Education Officer, the UN Volunteer will work closely with key government partners, including the Ministry of Education, the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Care and Development (NSECD), the National Institute of Education (NIE), and Provincial Preschool Units, to facilitate the implementation of activities related to ECCD/ECE, particularly in supporting all administrative and logistical tasks.

Under the overall guidance of the UNICEF Sri Lanka Chief of Education, the UNV will work with the Education Officer on the following key tasks related to ECCD/ECE 1. Support ECCD/ECE Programme Coordination and Implementation a. Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of ECCD/ECE programs. b. Track progress of supported programs and ensure timely delivery of outputs. c. Support the government and other stakeholders to facilitate the smooth implementation of ECCD/ECE activities.

2. Support the finalization and printing of ECCD/ECE Guidebooks & resource materials. a. Support the education section in the printing of ECCD/ECE materials, including logistics, quality assurance and monitoring of timelines.

3. Supply Management Support and Vendor Coordination a. Work closely with the supply team in ordering preschool supplies and reviewing samples in coordination with relevant technical teams b. Coordinate with the Education Section, Supply Team, and suppliers to support timely procurement, assembling, dispatch, and delivery of teaching and learning materials c. Maintain accurate supply records, including tracking delivery status and distribution lists. d. Maintain supply-related documentation/master files, to ensure transparency and accountability.

4. Administrative and Logistical Support for ECCD/ECE Programmes a. Provide administrative, logistical, and coordination support for ECCD/ECE workshops, consultations, training sessions, and awareness-raising events at national and subnational levels. b. Support preparation of event materials, participation lists, travel arrangements, and venue coordination related to programme activities. c. Assist in documenting programme activities, including meeting notes, attendance records, and basic data required for planning and reporting. d. Support preparation and dissemination of meeting agendas, materials, minutes, action points, and other documentation to ensure timely follow-up and information flow amongpartners. e. Assist with stakeholder communication, helping partners access key resources, guidelines, and operational information. f. Travelling to provinces for participation in the workshop, if the need arises.

5. Additional Support to the Education Section a. Provide support to any other tasks assigned by the Education Section, based on evolving priorities, workload, or emerging needs when required. b. Participate in regular education team meetings and events c. Identify innovative individual projects/activities based on personal interests to contribute to sections work

The core values of UNICEF of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability need to be maintained at all times. The functional competencies required are: • Builds and maintains partnerships • Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical-awareness • Drive to achieve results for impact • Innovates and embraces change • Manages ambiguity and complexity • Thinks and acts strategically • Works collaboratively with others

• Three years of progressively responsible professional work experience in stakeholder coordination, supply management, and administrative and logistical work, preferably in the education sector, is required. • Experience in programme support, coordination, logistics/supply support, and administrative functions, preferably in the education sector. • Experience working in early childhood development, education, community development, Health & nutrition of children, or humanitarian programming is an asset. • Experience in event management, supporting workshops, and organising training programs is desirable. • Previous experience with the UN system, INGO/NGO sector, or government counterparts is an advantage. • Ability to work with spreadsheets, data trackers, and reporting tools (Excel/Google Sheets). • Basic understanding of supply and logistics processes, tracking tools, or procurement workflows is an asset. • Familiarity with child development, curriculum implementation, and conducting research/surveys/census is beneficial. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to manage multiple tasks and work with tight deadlines. • Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or other information‑management systems is an advantage

Colombo is located on the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. The climate is temperate all throughout the year, but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfall occurs. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

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.

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. 

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 month ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: unv.org