TA Education Cluster Coordinator, (P-3),Bangui, CAR

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential - to the benefit of a better world.

Purpose of the Position

On behalf of UNICEF, the Country Lead Agency for the humanitarian partners in the Education Cluster (together with the Norwegian Refugee Council), and in support of the Government, the purpose of this post is to provide coordination support, assess the possibility to transition to national education authorities, and facilitate this transition.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder has joint responsibility with the Cluster Lead Agency, resourcing partners and all Cluster participants at the national and sub-national level for the efficient management and functioning of the Education Cluster encompassing the following:
• Establish and maintain an appropriate humanitarian coordination mechanism and adapt it to the level of needs, response and government capacity;
• With the support of the Information Management Specialist, build complementarity of partner actions: avoiding duplication and gaps;
• With the support of the Information Management Specialist, effectively use and transfer information to, from and between Cluster members and other stakeholders;
• Ensure adequate resources are mobilized and are equitably allocated for the effective functioning of the Cluster and its response (Consolidated Humanitarian Funds - CHF, Central Emergency Response Fund - CERF, other sources of funding);
• Effective and comprehensive integration of relevant cross-cutting issues, especially gender and age;
• Interact with other Clusters (including through inter-cluster coordination fora), humanitarian actors, government counterparts, and relevant authorities for operational planning and delivery of activities;
• Ensure effective communication, support, reporting, engagement and coordination between the national and sub-national Cluster levels;
• As part of an inclusive process with key humanitarian stakeholders in country, assess the capacity of the Ministry of Education to plan for and coordinate the delivery of EiE (Education in Emergencies) activities;
• Taking into account sector-wide programme progress reporting and M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) capacities, adapt/develop the transition plan and support the delivery of activities to ensure transition between Cluster and nationally owned, managed and resourced EiE response systems;
• Monitor performance of the core Cluster functions.

Core Cluster functions:

 Supporting service delivery

• Provide a platform to ensure that service delivery is driven by the agreed strategic priorities.
• Develop mechanisms to eliminate duplication of service delivery.

 Informing strategic decision-making of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC)/Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) for the humanitarian response

• Needs assessment and gap analysis (across other sectors and within the sector).
• Analysis to identify and address (emerging) gaps, obstacles, duplication, and cross-cutting issues.
• Prioritization, grounded in response analysis.

Planning and strategy development

• Develop sectoral plans, objectives and indicators directly support realization of the HC/HCT strategic priorities.
• Application and adherence to existing standards and guidelines.
• Clarify funding requirements, prioritization, and Cluster contributions to HC’s overall humanitarian funding considerations (Humanitarian Response Plan - HRP, Consolidated Humanitarian Funds - CHF, Central Emergency Response Fund - CERF).

Advocacy

• Identify advocacy concerns to contribute to HC and HCT messaging and action.
• Undertaking advocacy activities on behalf of Cluster participants and the affected population.

Monitoring and reporting the implementation of the Cluster strategy and results; recommending corrective action where necessary.

Contingency planning/preparedness for recurrent disasters whenever feasible and relevant.

Accountability to affected populations.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• Advanced university degree in a subject area relevant to the Cluster work: Education, social sciences, development, psychology, political science, international relations;
• First level university degree with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree.
• Formal training in Cluster coordination an strong advantage.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with UN and/or NGO, including programme management and/or coordination in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to the Cluster.
• Extensive work experience outside the humanitarian sector which is relevant to this post may be considered as a replacement for humanitarian experience.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in French and English is required.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Understands the rationale behind Humanitarian Reform, its main components and recent developments including the Transformative Agenda;
• Understands, uses and adapts the tools, mechanisms and processes developed as part of Humanitarian Reform;
• Demonstrates commitment to Humanitarian Principles - https://docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/Documents/OOM-humanitarianprinciples_eng_June12.pdf
• Demonstrates commitment to Principles of Partnership - http://www.globalhumanitarianplatform.org/doc00003804.doc
• Communicates, works and networks effectively with a wide range of people to reach broad consensus on a well-coordinated response, and demonstrates leadership where required;
• Thinks and acts strategically and ensures that Cluster activities are prioritized and aligned within an agreed strategy;
• Demonstrates commitment to the Cluster and independence from employing organisation;
• Builds, motivates and leads the Cluster coordination team.

Technical competences

Understands key technical issues for the Cluster sufficiently well enough to be able to: engage with Cluster participants; make full use of their experience and knowledge; guide strategy and plans; communicate and advocate on important issues.

Remarks

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

* Please note that this is a non-family duty station.

* 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.