Education Specialist NOC, TA 6 months, Bamako Mali

The purpose of this role is to provide technical and programmatic support to the Gender at the Center Initiative (GCI). The Education Specialist - Country Support Coordinator will support the development, implementation and monitoring of key GCI deliverables in the areas of technical support to Ministries of Education, Local Education Groups (LEGs) and civil society partners. S/he/they will support key education stakeholders in the GCI focus partner countries— Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal to mainstream gender equality in education and to improve coordination for gender equality. The Education Specialist – Country Support Coordinator will report to the Chief Education, with a matrix reporting line to the GCI Lead. S/he/they will work closely with UNGEI Secretariat staff who support the GCI, and with the Mali country office education and gender sections.

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, Hope.

UNGEI is a global partnership for gender equality in and through education. Our mandate is to catalyze and galvanize action locally, nationally, regionally and globally for girls’ education and gender equality in education. We bring together diverse partners to support Ministries of Education and other national actors to develop and implement bold commitments to gender equality in education. We convene regional global conversations and action for girls’ education and gender equality in education, including through the leadership of young feminist activists around the world. UNGEI partners include multilaterals, regional umbrella and intergovernmental organizations, national and global civil society organizations and young feminist leaders.

UNGEI, together with UNESCO-IIEP, coordinates the Gender at the Center Initiative (GCI). Launched in 2019 by the G7 Ministers of Education and Development, GCI champions the leadership of education ministries, civil society national actors and young feminists to advance gender equality in and through education. Through an innovative whole-system approach GCI strengthens technical gender capacity, fosters political will and supports the transformation of harmful gender norms. Between 2020 and 2023, GCI has been implemented in eight countries in Africa—Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria and Sierra Leone—by a multi-stakeholder partnership known as the GCI Alliance. From 2024 to 2026 GCI will implement a second phase of the initiative, consolidating the foundations laid during the first phase, and bringing the approach to more countries in Africa.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

The purpose of this role is to provide technical and programmatic support to the Gender at the Center Initiative (GCI). The Education Specialist - Country Support Coordinator will support the development, implementation and monitoring of key GCI deliverables in the areas of technical support to Ministries of Education, Local Education Groups (LEGs) and civil society partners. S/he/they will support key education stakeholders in the  GCI focus partner countries— Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mali,  Nigeria and Senegal to mainstream gender equality in education and to improve coordination for gender equality.

The Education Specialist – Country Support Coordinator will report to the Chief Education, with a matrix reporting line to the GCI Lead. S/he/they will work closely with UNGEI Secretariat staff who support the GCI, and with the Mali country office education and gender sections

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Technical advice and support

• Provide technical leadership on mainstreaming gender equality in education systems, externally through technical support to Ministries of Education (MoEs) and Local Education Groups (LEGs), and internally through input into the GCI work plan
• Support MoEs and LEGs to assess gender equality in and through education using the Gender Equality in Education Snapshot (GES) Toolkit, conduct gender analysis for selected countries, coach partners to use the GES Toolkit
• Support Ministries of Education to promote inter-ministerial collaboration with other sectors (health, protection, finances, etc.), liaise with GCI MoE focal points to analyse support needs, provide targeted support to selected MoEs to develop inter-ministerial initiatives
• Support GCI civil society partners to develop, implement and monitor advocacy and community engagement activities for gender-transformative education
• Coordinate with UNESCO-IIEP GCI team, GPE and other partners to align technical support to MoEs and LEGs
• Provide technical support to UNGEI Secretariat and UNICEF Mali on gender in education initiatives as needed

2. Coordination, networking and partnership building

• In collaboration with GCI colleagues, build strong work relationships with MoE GCI focal points, LEG Coordinating Agents, in-country donor representatives, UNICEF country offices, CSOs and other partners in the 8 GCI countries
• Support young feminist activists in the GCI focus countries to set up Feminist Youth Coalitions, in coordination with the Transform Education youth network, and support their integration in Local Education Groups
• Coordinate with UNESCO-IIEP on technical support to Ministries of Education, aligning support initiatives and target audiences
• Coordinate with GPE on technical support tools, e.g. LEG Self-Assessment Tool and gender analysis tools
• Support MoEs, LEGs and CSOs to share information and learning across GCI countries, through networks and communities of practice
• Support the GCI Lead to build innovative partnerships with education and non-education actors, participate in meetings to explore new partnerships
• Represent UNGEI and GCI in national and international meetings and events as needed

3. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Provide technical advice on MoE capacity building in the GCI focus countries with regard to gender mainstreaming, support development of capacity building initiatives, provide input in selection of capacity building audiences
• Lead the organization of capacity building activities on Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) and Gender-Transformative Leadership for MoE and LEG members in GCI partner countries, liaising with consultants, MoEs, UNICEF country offices for design and delivery of the course
• Lead on knowledge management of GCI activities and results through contributing to GCI newsletter and annual report, promote knowledge sharing among GCI countries.
• Support UNGEI Advocacy Lead on research and advocacy initiatives, revising and inputting in knowledge products, facilitating and participating in knowledge sharing events as needed.

4. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Lead project management for 1 to 2 GCI grants, developing work plans, monitoring budgets, tracking results, reporting and communicating with donors
• Support indicator identification, measurement and performance tracking related to relevant outcomes of the GCI results framework, in close collaboration with other UNGEI colleagues
• Support UNGEI Secretariat programme associate with logistical organization of capacity building initiatives for MoEs, LEGs and CSOs
• Contribute to reviewing GCI annual work plan and development of GCI Annual Report and donor reports
• Support GCI Lead in the development of project proposals for GCI activities and reviewing CSO project proposals and reports
• Support UNGEI colleagues with program management as needed, inputting in project proposals, donor reports and other documents

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

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in education, social sciences (i.e. sociology, anthropology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy, or economics), international development, public policy, public administration or other relevant area. A concentration in gender and education is a strong asset.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming on education. 
• Experience in working with Ministries of Education. Experience in networking with education partners.
• Experience in working in GCI countries preferred.
• Experience in designing, implementing, managing, and delivering results-based programmes/projects at country level.
• Experience in working on gender issues.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.