Education Specialist (Equitable Access & Out of School) - FT - P4 - WCARO - UNICEF

Under the guidance of the Regional Education Adviser and working as a member of the larger Education Section and in collaboration with other Sections, the Education Specialist is accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Education program within his/her area of responsibility, in collaboration with other programmers and sectors, governments, and other key partners. He/she provides expert advice, advocacy, analysis and technical support to the West and Central Africa Regional Office (RO) and Country Offices (CO) at all stage of programming, on policies, programs and operational strategies, to facilitate the management and delivery of results on strengthening national education systems to improve learning outcomes for children, with a particular focus on Equitable Access and Out of School Children. He/she contributes to knowledge development and innovation and also support the regional adviser in managing the section He/she contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/projects results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

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.

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Under the guidance of the Regional Education Adviser and working as a member of the larger Education Section and in collaboration with other Sections, the Education Specialist is accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Education program within his/her area of responsibility, in collaboration with other programmers and sectors, governments, and other key partners. He/she provides expert advice, advocacy, analysis and technical support to the West and Central Africa Regional Office (RO) and Country Offices (CO) at all stage of programming, on policies, programs and operational strategies, to facilitate the management and delivery of results on strengthening national education systems to improve learning outcomes for children, with a particular focus on Equitable Access and Out of School Children. He/she contributes to knowledge development and innovation and also support the regional adviser in managing the section.

He/she contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/projects results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Major duties and responsibilities

1. Programme planning, development and management
   

• Lead the development and implementation of the program under his /her responsibility at regional level including design, implementation and oversight of program activities and results, in collaboration with relevant staff at country, regional and head quarter level.

• Provide technical support, leadership and professional advice to WCARO and WCAR CO on major program directions, in order to support the development of result oriented and costed national education strategies and plans and promote effective use of available funding.

• Ensure that program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, as well as reporting are carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently, in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.

  2. Technical assistance to country offices

• Coordinates UNICEF’s support to countries in the development and the implementation of education programs related to Equitable Access and OOSC, with a focus on (but not limited to) alternative learning opportunities, koranic education, inclusive education; provides technical assistance to the education situation analysis, program planning and reviews, and follow-up on recommendations for specific action.

• Identifies capacity-building needs on ongoing education policy, planning and programming to country teams and their investment in quality basic education for all and quality education models, UNICEF-supported programs of cooperation so as to make effective contributions to national education goals.

• In joint collaboration with regional partners and the UN system, and through joint field visits, contributes to build capacities and providing technical assistance by building up a critical mass of regional education specialists in key areas related to Equitable Access and OOSC, as a means of broadening the technical support based in the region and providing information about regional and global networks.

  3. Program oversight and quality assurance

• Contributes to the development and review of key RO, CO and national program documents to ensure they clearly reflect relevant outcomes for children and education in the regional and country context as a result of a joint UN support.

• Monitors compliance to ensure that objectives and targets are met and achieved, and ensures that UNICEF supported documentation apply to criteria for quality standards for education.

• In collaboration with the other RO section and HQ, contribute to program quality assurance and oversight through participation to Regional Office planning and review exercises, and support to CO during planning moment (Strategic moment of reflection, Midterm review, mid-year review etc.)

   4.  Knowledge management and intellectual leadership

• Oversee knowledge generation and evidence building at regional level; direct and coordinate efforts on knowledge management, including exchange of knowledge, experience and lessons learned on program design and implementation.

• Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of WCARO and WCAR CO education sectoral work plans and activities, ensuring alignment with country/regional/global priorities and approaches.

    5. Strategic representation, advocacy and partnership

• Promote sectoral and inter sectoral partnerships and programming at  RO and CO level, in order to ensure that progress in the area of Equitable Access and Out of School Children benefits mutually education and other programs, in particular Child Protection, Social Policy, C4D, Gender and Planning.

• Promote and coordinate relations with partners including UN, government, businesses, international organizations, community leaders and donors working in the different thematic associated with Equitable Access and Out of School Children.

• Support the organization of UNICEF internal for a with different regional sections, HQ, Regional Offices, Country Offices and donors.

  6. Communication, resources mobilization and donor reporting

• Ensure quality of ad hoc reports and updates for senior management and donors.

• Collaborate with Communication to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.

• Contribute to fundraising and resource mobilization efforts for education programs and/or leveraging of existing resources for UNICEF's support to education; provide technical and advisory support to WCAR CO for the development of funding proposals.

• Prepare regional office donor report and review country office donor reports for quality and completeness.

   7. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals

• Promote the organizational goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programs.

 Impact of Results

Key results

• Programme activities related to Equitable Access and Out of school Children at regional and country level are fully aligned. Progress is achieved on key activities in the Education Section’s work plan related to the program.

• Knowledge management is effectively promoted through drafting key Education documents and reports related to Equitable Access to Education and Out of School Children, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange, with partnerships and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders, capitalizing on the know-how and network of knowledge institutions.

• Effective partnerships are formed through networking, advocacy and inter-sectoral collaboration to further program outcomes, including enhanced knowledge on out of school children at regional level.

• Visibility of the  Education program and regional education strategy is enhanced at country and regional level.

• UNICEF’s global goals are effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Education sector.

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 WCAR countries. Achievements in education programs and projects in turn contribute to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality.

Technical Competencies

• Good understanding of the overall global development context, including issues such as: poverty, conflict, and the impact of these factors on education 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 and international engagement strategies, including 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 development programs and policy discussions around equity and learning with partners, including government, development partners, CSOs and academia in relevant areas.

• Good education sector planning knowledge/ability, including the range of modalities for delivering education, linkages between different sub-sectors (e.g. ECD, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Inclusive Education), 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, Education in Emergency Clusters, Education Provider Forums, Delivering as One, Inter-sectoral partnerships such as in ECD), as well as networking with other key partners.

• 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.

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• Education:	Advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Education; Peacebuilding, or a Social Sciences field relevant to international development.
  Experience:	Minimum of eight years of progressively professional work experience at national and international levels in fields relevant to education (program planning, management, and/or research) at the international level, some of which preferably in a developing country is required. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset. Background/familiarity with Emergency. Experience of program management as well as technical leadership is an asset
  Language Requirements:	Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.