By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Education Specialist (Education Cannot Wait Programme Manager), P-4, Amman, Jordan (MENARO)

Amman

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Amman
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 full potential, 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 fulfill 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.

Job organizational context

The Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Programme Manager is based in the MENA Regional Office supporting the implementation of the ECW investment for Syria (USD15 million over 2 years). The Programme Manager reports to the Senior Emergency Specialist in the Humanitarian Team (post 83676, Level 5).

 

Purpose for the job

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Senior Emergency Specialist (Level 5) and in coordination with the Regional Education Section, the Programme Manager manages the ECW grant and provides technical assistance, quality assurance and knowledge building/management services to the three Whole of Syria (WoS) hubs (Damascus, Gaziantep and Amman) in the implementation of the ECW programme with a focus on sharing emerging evidence in education; strengthening knowledge sharing; facilitating discussion and agreement on the use of common standards and tools among ECW implementing partners; ensuring to the extent possible, that partners use common standards and tools for information collection/sharing and data management, including in needs assessments and monitoring; ensuring integration, coherence and harmonization of ECW programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

 

  1. Management and advisory support to the Senior Emergency Specialist
  2. ECW Programme Management, monitoring and quality control of results
  3. Education in Emergencies (EiE) Program Development and Planning
  4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
  5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

     

  1. Management and advisory support to the Senior Emergency Specialist
  • Provide advice to the Senior Emergency Specialist in establishing the annual work plan including developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements.
  • Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report to the Advisor critical issues for timely action.
  • Provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues in the Section on all aspects of education programming and implementation to enable colleagues to achieve program/performance objectives
  • Perform the full duties of the Advisor in his/her absence.

 2. ECW Programme Management, monitoring and quality control of results

  1. Grant management and supervision of the ECW programme.
  • Maintains complete grant documentation and provides information as required.
  • Designs and produces a summary of all open commitments and actionable items with timelines.
  • Ensures timely preparation and submission of deliverables to donor, including work plan, procurement plan, program and financial reports.
  • Plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in ECW programs.
  • Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals
  • Plan, monitor and control the use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources
  • Regularly monitors program progress and budget performance, writes regular grant reports, and takes appropriate actions as required.

     

  1. Technical support to the 3 Whole of Syria (WoS) hubs on overall and coherent ECW programme design, implementation and monitoring.
  • Ensures day-to-day management and coordination of the ECW across the 3 WoS hubs.
  • Provides technical support and coordinates with all Education Specialists and partners at the hub and WoS levels on programme design, implementation and monitoring, identifies holistic programme opportunities and ensures synergies across programming in the WoS response.
  • Develops and maintains a database of project outputs, activities and achieved results to provide information for both internal and external reporting.
  • Supports the capacity building framework for education partners.
  • Oversees the development and implementation of ECW studies and research.
  • Represents UNICEF and partners in relevant forums.
  • Pursues additional funding opportunities to further expand the ECW programming.
  • Coordinates the ECW Education Dialogue Forum (EDF) meetings, discussions and agreed way forwards.

     

    3. Education in Emergencies (EiE) Program development and planning
  • Plan and/or provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence based data on EiE issues are available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on EiE and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
  • Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities on EiE to enhance technical support to program management and delivery in Syria.
  • Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of EiE programs/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Programs and coherence/integration with UN frameworks, regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
  • Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for EiE using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval.
  • Work closely and collaboratively with RO Education section and Syria Country Offices (SCO) colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
  • Provide authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

     

    4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
  • Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs and INGOs, funding organization, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on education in emergencies.
  • Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results.
  • Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions and planning on education and EiE related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the process in development planning and agenda setting. Foster collaboration with the Global Emergency Coordination (GEC) and the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).

     

    5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
  • Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable EiE programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
  • Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting edge practices on education management and information systems (EMIS) in emergencies. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
  • Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.

Support the organization, the planning and the implementation of capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders on EiE.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of education programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contribute to achievement of goals and objectives to improve learning outcomes and equitable, inclusive and universal access to education in the country. Achievements in education programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

Core Values

 

  • Commitment
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Integrity

 

Core competencies

 

  • Communication (II)
  • Working with people (II)
  • Drive for results (II)

 

Functional Competencies:

 

  • Leading and supervising (I)
  • Formulating strategies/concepts (II)
  • Analyzing (III)
  • Relating and networking (II)
  • Deciding and initiating action (II)
  • Applying Technical Expertise (III)

Technical Competencies

Technical competencies must be demonstrated in the following areas:

 

•           Good understanding of the overall global development context, including issues such as: poverty, conflict, and the impact of these factors on education and EiE and vice-versa; and inter-sectoral approaches to address such issues in collaboration with other sectors (including Social Policy, Child Protection, Nutrition, WASH, Health and Communications within UNICEF).

•           Good knowledge of global developments in education in emergency and international engagement strategies, including Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and Clusters, and the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming.

•           Good ability to support policy dialogue: translation of analytical findings and evidence into programs and policy discussions around equity, learning and resilience and with partners, including government, development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and academia in relevant areas.

•           Good education sector planning knowledge/ability, including the range of modalities for delivering education in emergencies in mixed settings, linkages between emergency and development, cost-effectiveness and efficiency issues, key institutional structures, components and processes, as well as governance issues.

•           Good education and policy sector analysis capacity, including understanding of the core education data sets, indicators, tools for analysis of equity, determinants of student access and learning, budget, cost and financing, education system management, political economy and application to education policy and strategic planning.

•           Good ability to support engagement with partners (e.g. Sector Wide Approaches, Global Partnership for Education, Global Education Cluster, Interagency Network on Education in Emergencies, Global Coalition to Protect Education Under Attack, Education Above All Foundation), as well as networking with other key partners, such as OCHA and UNHCR.

•           Good understanding of gender and inequity issues in relation to education and development and the application of gender / equity analysis to policy and planning in education.

•           Good understanding of policies and strategies to address issues related to resilience: risk analysis and risk management, education in conflict situations, natural disasters, and recovery for CO and RO based post and where relevant.

 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

Advanced University degree in the field of education or other related social science.

*First university degree with additional two-years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Work Experience

- Good knowledge of the education literature and international education movement, and strong theoretical and empirical research background in the field of education.

- Familiarity with the MENA regional context.

- Strong management skills.

- Eight years of international work experience in research, analysis, and technical assistance in education planning and programming.

- Close familiarity with UNICEF and its education initiatives.

- Mastering of various computer applications, including experience managing websites.

- Familiarity with social media channels and newsletter outreach.

 

Language

Fluency in English; knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset.

 

Remarks

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

 

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: