Education Specialist (Research) P3 - Florence, Italy

Florence

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Florence
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Education, Learning and Training
- Scientist and Researcher
- Private Fundraising and Partnerships
Closing Date: Closed

We are seeking to recruit a qualified candidate for our Education Research unit to support the implementation and expansion of the research portfolio on education and learning and to provide technical guidance to UNICEF field offices and Governments for implementing and using research for strengthening education systems and policies.

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, Education

Job organizational context

The Office of Research-Innocenti (OoR-Innocenti) is the dedicated research office of UNICEF. It undertakes and commissions research on emerging or current issues of relevance for children in order to inform the strategic directions, policies and programmes of UNICEF and its partners. The Office explores emerging issues, identifies research gaps, brings together existing researchers, and supports or undertakes research and data collection to address critical questions and to inform global debates.

Every Child has the right to learn. Although more children than ever before are enrolled in school, the duty-bearers obligated to realize this right for every child are collectively failing to improve learning, and this failure is deep, broad and with significant consequences for children and young people. Many children lack the knowledge and skills to realize their full potential and maximize their contribution to their communities. At the current rate, by 2030, of the 1.4 billion school-age children in low- and middle-income countries, 420 million will not learn the most basic skills in childhood. The gap between what education systems are providing in terms of learning achievements, and what children, communities and economies need, is growing. The breadth and depth of this learning crisis provides the greatest global challenge to preparing children and adolescents for life, work and active citizenship.

UNICEF vision for education is that ‘every child learns’, articulated in the 2019-2030 Education Strategy across three inter-related goals: (i) equitable access to learning opportunities; (ii) improved learning and skills for all; (iii) improved learning and protection for children in emergencies and transitions. The generation and use at country level of research and robust evidence are key for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Education Strategy and the UNICEF Strategic Plan for 2018-2021 as reflected in the Priorities for research and data in support of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan – Using the power of evidence to drive change for children.

UNICEF needs to enhance its emphasis on generating and using evidence and data in education, a contribution that will be crucial in supporting education system strengthening and policy dialogue and decision-making at country level for advancing learning results for all children and adolescents, in particular the most vulnerable.

Purpose of the post

The Office aims to strengthen its capacity to deliver the production and use of high quality research for education and learning outcomes.

Under the supervision and guidance of Chief, Education Research, the post holder will support the implementation and expansion of the research and evaluation portfolio on education and learning, provide technical guidance and support to UNICEF field offices and Governments and ensure dissemination and use at country level of research findings for equitable and effective education sector policies and plans.

The post-holder will work with colleagues in the Office of Research, Headquarters (including the Evaluation Office), Regional and Country offices, as well as, other parts of UNICEF, to build on the existing research and to develop new ones. The role will also involve fostering the development of partnerships and mobilizing resources for the generation of research and data and their utilization by decision and policy makers at country level.

The position will report to the Chief, Education Research, Office of Research, Florence Italy (P-5, #89262)

Key functions and accountabilities:

Research and its use (50%)

• Support the implementation and expansion of the research and evaluation portfolio on education and learning, including on strategic and emerging topics such as education system strengthening, governance, political economy and accountability, education in emergencies, education and migration, ICT in education, education for children with disabilities.
• Develop proposals and mobilize resources to support education and learning research and its use at country level; maintain and strengthen donor networks through routine communications and reporting; and ensure donor contributions are well managed, donor expectations are met and donor reports are completed with high quality and on time.
• Develop and implement quantitative and qualitative methodologies for research and evaluation -including but not limited to impact evaluation, of education sector policies and education systems; and deliver rigorous research, evaluation and education sector analyses in a timely and efficient manner, and ensure the use of their findings at country level
• Develop and implement research and evaluation methodologies in relation to the theories of change and their assumed causal pathways of the 2019-2030 UNICEF Education Strategy and of the education component of the UNICEF Strategic Plans
• Maintain close relationship with UNICEF HQ, Field Offices and National Committees.

2. Technical guidance and support (30%)

• Provide guidance and quality assurance on education and learning research design to UNICEF field offices and Ministries of Education
• Strengthen the capacity of UNICEF field offices and Ministries of Education for co-creation design of research and evaluation in the areas of education and learning
• Strengthen and support the use of research and evaluation findings for policy dialogue and education system strengthening at country level.
• Support, collaborate in or coordinate research initiated or requested by UNICEF Country and Regional Offices or HQ according to agreed organizational priorities.

3. Knowledge exchange and dissemination (10%)

• Contribute to the dissemination and exchange of research and evaluation findings and related policy recommendations and best practices related to education and learning.
• Synthetize and organize materials and contribute to the relevant sections of the OoR website.
• Prepare inputs and participate in relevant conferences, workshops and meetings, including through effective dissemination of key research outcomes for effective use at country level
• Support and participate in networks of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the areas of education and learning.

4. Contribution to the Office of Research work programme and support to the cross-cutting research agenda (10%)
• Contribute to the overall research activities of the Office and to the use of their findings by policy and decision makers at country level.
• Participate in and/facilitate interdisciplinary research through involvement in selected cross functional teams and consultations, including Annual Results report and participation in office seminars
• Develop joint proposals and contribute to fundraising for research and evidence.
• Act as a resource person for key UNICEF meetings and advocacy activities as requested by the manager.

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

Education: Advanced university degree in economics, social policy, statistics or related Social Sciences.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national or international levels in the area of education research, education data analysis or education economics analysis, with developing country level experience essential;
• Demonstrated experience in both quantitative and qualitative research projects, methods and analysis;
• Strong research and data analysis skills;
• Extensive knowledge of advanced statistical analysis software packages;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of team and to forge and manage collaborations; experience with fundraising and resource mobilization an asset;
• Commitment to UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, transparency and accountability
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset.

Language: Fluency in English required; ability to work in a second UN working language desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The competencies required for this post are….

Functional Competencies:
 Leading and supervising (2)
 Formulating strategies/concepts (2)
 Analyzing (3)
 Relating and networking (2)
 Deciding and initiating action (2)
 Applying Technical Expertise (3)
 Planning and Organizing (2)

Core competencies:
Drive for results (2)
Working with people (2)
Communication (2)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

This vacancy is now closed.
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