Education Officer, (NO2), Djibouti - Djibouti

The Education Officer reports to the Education Specialist for supervision. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process to support the integration of adolescent development and participation in programs/projects within the Country Program. The Officer is responsible for preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative program tasks to support the development and formulation of the adolescent development and participation program/projects within the Country Program.

Context

UNICEF Office in Djibouti is committed to ensure every child and young person benefits from opportunities to survive, develop and reach their full potential. A special focus of the UNICEF Djibouti Programme is on the most vulnerable groups, including children from the rural areas, children with disabilities, children living in poverty. While various social factors, beliefs and norms affect the realization of children rights in Djibouti, UNICEF undertook concrete steps to explore and better understand them, to support evidence based programming and create a supportive environment for children and their families.

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.

While the adolescent period is characterized by a period of heightened vulnerabilities, it also provides a window of opportunity for successful transition to adulthood and equality especially for the most disadvantaged adolescents. Identifying these most disadvantaged adolescents and designing our interventions to address the barriers that limit their fulfilment of rights to development, protection and participation is instrumental to breaking cycles of deprivation and poverty for these adolescents.  

Job organizational context & Purpose of the job: The Education & Adolescent Development Officer reports to the Education Specialist for supervision. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process to support the integration of adolescent development and participation in programs/projects within the Country Program The Officer is responsible for preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative program tasks to support the development and formulation of the adolescent development and participation program/projects within the Country Program.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to program development and planning
2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to program implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to program development and planning

• Conduct/update situation analysis and assessments to establish evidence-based data for UNICEF advocacy and development of policies, framework and programs to promote adolescent development and participation in the country and for monitoring results on related programs/projects.
• Contribute to the development/establishment of adolescent development and participation program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of related information/data for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical, program, operational and administrative transactions, preparing related materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required program documentations/materials/data to facilitate the program review and approval process.

2. Program implementation, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss adolescent development and participation operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programs/projects on adolescent development and participation and report on required action/interventions at the higher level of program management.
• Monitor and report on the use of adolescent development and participation program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues/findings to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular/mandated relevant program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

•  Conduct regular program field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on adolescent development and participation related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.4. Networking and partnership building 

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on adolescent development and participation programs.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support resource mobilization to ensure the adolescent development and participation programs are adequately resourced and supported.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of adolescent development and participation programs/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

5.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Research and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.
•  

Impact of Results :

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to adolescent development and participation program preparation and planning and implementation of programs/projects, contribute to achievement of sustainable program results. Success in adolescent development and participation 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.

Education:

A University Degree in anthropology, psychology, sociology, education or other social science field is required.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in adolescent development related areas at the international level some of which preferably served in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in program/project development and management in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in French and English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

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

  Functional Competencies:

• Formulating strategies and concepts (I)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)