Programme Officer ( Refugee Education), NO-1, Athens, Greece Temp Appointment 6 months

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

For every child,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their fullpotential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF became operational in Greece in early 2016 as an outposted team from the Regional Office of Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) to respond to the significant influx of refugee and migrant children and their families at that time. The response centered on a two-track approach covering direct service delivery as well as national capacity building through critical partnerships with governmental bodies, ministries, local authorities, civil society and NGOs and focused primarily on three main strategic sectors – child protection, education and child rights monitoring.

Following several years of engagement with national stakeholders, UNICEF and the Government of Greece made a decision in January 2020 to formalize the agency’s presence in the country under the form of a Greece Country Office. This office falls under the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia located in Geneva, which supports the work of 22 Country Offices within its geographical scope, reporting in turn to global headquarters in New York. Within the framework of an expanded mandate for all children in Greece, UNICEF and Greece are moving towards an even greater collaboration and partnership in order to address the needs of all vulnerable, marginalized and left-behind children in the country.

Purpose of the Job

Under the guidance of the Education Specialist (NOC), the Programme Officer will support the implementation of all refugee education related interventions of the UNICEF Greece Country Office, including project ‘All Children in Education – ACE’, in partnership with the competent Ministries and all other relevant stakeholders and partners. The Officer will provide professional technical assistance and support for programme design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of programme/project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of programme goals and objectives.

How can you make a difference?

Key Accountabilities, duties and tasks

Programme Development and Management

• Contribute to the GCO refugee and migrant response by supporting knowledge management and provide professional technical assistance in situation analyses for programme development and management by collecting and analyzing data and monitoring implementation progress.

• Contribute to the identification of critical intervention points and measures by administering a consistent and transparent monitoring system; analyse country level socio-political-economic trends and their implications for ongoing programmes and projects in the area of the refugee and migrant response, with emphasis on education.

• Draft or prepare programme work plans as required. Propose adjustments/changes in work plans.

• Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance.

Optimum Use of Program Funds

• Monitor programme implementation progress and compliance.

• Monitor the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.

• Take appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of programme funds.

Programme Monitoring and Evaluations

• Undertake field visits to monitor and assess programme implementation and decides on required corrective action.

• Collaborate with partners to carry out a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation and participate in the major programme evaluation exercises to improve efficiency and quality of programme delivery.

• Participate in annual sector review meetings with government counterparts.

• Collaborate and prepare periodical and annual program status reports in a timely manner, as required.

Rights-Based and Results-Based Programme Management Approach

• Support a rights-based programmes approach in the formulation of programme goals and objectives and development of strategies and implementation frameworks.

• Collaborate with partners and assist in the strengthening of inclusive quality education for refugee and migrant children through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programmes and projects.

• Contribute to coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using a results-based management approach to programme planning and design.

• Provide professional technical assistance in preparing viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, new initiatives and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfilment of the rights of refugee and migrant children and their families.

Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

• Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate development data and information, exchange information on programme/project status.

• Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of programming endeavours and to coordinate financial and supply management requirements and accountability.

• Approve allocation and disbursement of funds ensuring they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated in accordance with the programme budget allotments (PBA).

• Maintain close collaboration with Regional and HQ Advisers for overall coordination.

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

Education:

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Education, Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of relevant professional work experience is required.
• Experience in the design, management and monitoring of projects of a humanitarian/development nature is required.
• Experience in the area of education of refugee and migrant children is considered as a strong asset.
• Experience in refugee and migrant response in the area of South Greece and/or islands is considered as an asset.
• Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and Greek is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

Competencies and level of proficiency required:

i) Core Values

• Care

• Respect

• Integrity

• Trust

• Accountability

ii) Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

• Works Collaboratively with Others (1)

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

iii) Functional Competencies:

• Analysing (2)

• Applying technical expertise (2)

• Learning and researching (2)

• Planning and organizing (2)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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