Associate Education Officer

This position is open to Group 1 applicants and all external candidates, provided that requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language etc. are fulfilled. Candidates must be primarily Pakistan nationals. The minimum educational requirement for this position is a university degree. Applications must be supported by documentation of fully effective performance history and demonstrated potential to assume professional responsibilities. Your application will NOT be considered if: - The application form is not duly filled. Interested staff members should consult the Administrative Instruction on Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS).

Associate Education Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Education Officer will support the roll-out of Refugee Education 2030, the Refugee Education Strategy, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees, which calls on States and relevant Stakeholders to contribute resources and expertise to expand and enhance the quality and inclusiveness of national education systems to facilitate access by refugee and host community children and youth to primary, secondary and tertiary education. Providing inclusive and equitable quality education is central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Associate Education Officer will ensure UNHCR¿s programming is in line with the SDGs.
Leveraging the growing global momentum, UNHCR is working to translate the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) into impactful results, including through follow-up on pledges made through the 2019 Global Refugee Forum. Contributing to this global roll-out of the GCR, the Associate Education Officer, in collaboration with the Education Section in the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS), will provide technical support to UNHCR Country Office(s) and partners to advocate for and implement the objectives of Refugee Education 2030:  

1. Promote equitable and sustainable inclusion in national education systems for refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, stateless and internally displaced persons
2. Foster safe enabling environments that support learning
3. Enable learners to use their education toward sustainable futures

The incumbent will act as a focal point for education in the area of responsibility (AoR) and, under the leadership of the supervising officer(s), support UNHCR¿s work regarding education and advocacy on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions. S/he normally works under the direct supervision of the Education Officer or Protection Officer and overall supervision of the Deputy Representative (Protection), depending on the office context. Under the general direction of the supervising officer(s), the incumbent will support the implementation of global level policies, including the UNHCR Education Strategy. 
The incumbent may supervise lower grade education staff.

The Associate Education Officer may liaise with the Ministry of Education and with education coordination networks at national, provincial and district levels to improve the quality of refugee education. S/he will liaise with partners to assess the education context, to develop an implementation plan and to monitor the programme and assess impact. The incumbent will work in collaboration with in-country education partners to improve access to, and quality of, refugee education at all levels, both formal and non-formal and may liaise with partners for joint support for education access for refugee and host community children. The Associate Education Officer will develop innovative education approaches for emerging needs in refugee education, including attention to special needs, minorities, girls, pre-school education and non-formal activities. S/he will facilitate inter-sectoral linkages with programmatic areas including child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others.
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All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on access to and quality of education and assist with the development of the education strategy.
- Actively pursue opportunities to implement UNHCR¿s urban policy and support mainstreaming refugees within national education systems. Coordinate with relevant partners to support access to education for refugees and host communities.
- Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to education for persons of concern (PoC). 
- Coordinate with partners and other actors in education to adapt the Education Strategy to the local context and ensure ownership.
- Collaborate closely with partners to ensure coherent annual planning based on a longer-term strategy, and jointly monitor and assess implementation, providing advice on programme reorientation where necessary.
- Provide technical advice and guidance on education issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance and recognition of education relevant documentation.
- Implement education programmes in line with Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) standards and the child protection systems approach.
- Facilitate inter-sectoral linkages with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion, environment, shelter and health, among others.
- Provide inputs for the development of global/regional international education policies and standards.
- Intervene in cases of denial of access to education with government and other relevant parties.   
- Identify and promote education activities that support durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Assess needs for services of PoC, as related to education, and coordinate partners¿ responses.
- Systematically promote and comply with the Age, Gender and Diversity policy and other priorities such as the guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
- Advocate with authorities for respect of the right of PoC to an education and for their access to education services.
- Coordinate with education networks and ensure that refugee education interests are understood and included in relevant policies and initiatives. 
- Participate in humanitarian and development sector working groups to support and ensure all refugee education support programming at country level is extended, amplified and reported against sector development goals. Humanitarian partners and funding serve system strengthening.
- Assist the Country Office(s) to elaborate and implement strategies to address issues related to education access, quality and data, in cooperation with other UN agencies (UNICEF, UNESCO, WFP, etc.) and other key education stakeholders.
- Undertake direct dialogue with Country Office(s) on the implementation of education programmes in line with strategic directions, integrated with SDG4 and Education Sector Plans, including with Ministries of Education/Higher Education, education partners and coordination networks (Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Local Education Groups, etc.).
- Foster and ensure inter-sectoral linkages and coordination with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others, and provide specialist advice for other sectors, to ensure that they fully integrate education related concerns in their planning.
- Support and monitor the implementation of Global Refugee Forum pledges within the AoR.
- Assist in the planning and coordination of UNHCR¿s role concerning education, representation of UNHCR at national consultations, representation of UNHCR¿s education strategy and policy to other UN bodies, NGOs, interlocutors, institutions and organisations within the AoR.
- Identify training needs and train UNHCR staff, sister UN agency staff, NGOs, and Ministry of Education officials on refugee education priorities and identified topics.
- Ensure active exchange of information and that best practices are identified, documented and disseminated both within the AoR and beyond.
- Join joint assessment missions in emergencies to minimise the time refugee children and youth spend out of education (ideally a maximum of three months after arrival).
- Prepare the drafting of education input in key internal and external documents and reports.
- Identify gaps in education service provision and advocate with relevant authorities for service provision.
- Ensure that best practices are identified, documented and widely disseminated.
- Support the country education information management strategy through the collection of disaggregated data on PoC, and ensure the collection and dissemination of education information and best practices to enhance education delivery.
- Undertake initiatives to build the capacity of communities and PoC to assert their right to education and access to quality education.
- Promote and participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen access to quality, certified education for refugees.
- Contribute to a communications strategy that generates external support for UNHCR¿s education activities and the education rights of PoC.
- Intervene with authorities on education issues.
- Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR.
- Make recommendations on individual education related cases.
- Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of education services.
- Approve individual payments to individual cases.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Education; Social Sciences; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
- Work experience in progressively responsible functions in education.
- Demonstrated work experience in education programmes.
- Field experience in education programme implementation and coordination in humanitarian and/or development contexts.
- Experience working with Governments, Ministry of Education and other line Ministries.
- Strong inter-personal skills in collaboration and coordination.
- Excellent analytical skills and drafting skills.
- Strong communications/presentations skills.
- Demonstrated capacity to work with minimum supervision.

Desirable:
- Demonstrated work experience in refugee education programmes.
- Knowledge and experience of UNHCR policies and standards.
- Experience in the area of child protection.
- Experience with educational research, teaching or education administration.

Functional Skills
PR-Community Services-Communication/Development/Organization
PR-Community Services-Social Surveys/Assessment
PR-Community Services-Social Work/Counselling
*PR-Education Administration/Programme/Coordination/Techniques
PR-INEE (International Network for Education in Emergencies) standards and implementation
PR-Refugee Education programmes
*PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
MS-Research
TR-Training/Coaching/Facilitation
MG-Team Building
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, including in particular when supervising others, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties by demonstrating no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, abuse of power, harassment including sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse. As individual workforce members and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and take these issues seriously by speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources, as well as, when required/appropriate, report, for corrective action to be taken, whilst considering a victim-centered-approach.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

REMUNERATION

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org 

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Despite the overall challenging socio-economic context, the Government of Pakistan has placed the highest priority on protecting and assisting refugees, including maintaining an open and generous approach to enable Afghan refugee children to access public schools. At the end of 2019 there were still 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan, out of which 500,000 children are of school- going age. Many of these children have been accessing Pakistan¿s national education system. Available data suggests that more than 20% of refugee children that are enrolled in schools attend Pakistani public schools, followed by Afghan and Pakistani private schools. As the current refugee situation continues it is foreseen that the progressive move towards urban areas and the number of Afghan refugees attending public schools, will increase. In-line with the Global Compact on Refugees, UNHCR will continue channeling support to targeted interventions to help improve the quality of Pakistan¿s national education system in the refugee affected and hosting areas and support the refugees¿ access to these educational facilities. This will demonstrate the importance of burden-sharing with Government and support the absorption capacity of schools to mitigate the impact of refugee children¿s inclusion within the national education system. UNHCR continues to assist students in obtaining a quality education through the provision of textbooks, learning material and uniforms alongside scholarship support to those seeking higher education. UNHCR also supports the salaries of 1,129 teachers, education advisors and support staff. In long-standing partnership with the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative Program (DAFI), UNHCR has also supported Higher Education Scholarships, and by 2020, 413 were enrolled in the scholarship program. The COVID-19 outbreak has ignited a major education crisis, exacerbating the risk that inequalities in education will further increase. The closure of schools since mid ¿ March 2020, universities, technical and vocational training institutes has also affected refugee learners and students and there is a risk that progress in increased enrollment may be eroded. To continue demonstrating the importance of burden-sharing with the Government of Pakistan, UNHCR will: - reinvest its education resources into the national education systems to increase absorption capacity of schools to mitigate the impact of refugee children¿s inclusion., - roll out the Pakistani curriculum in Refugee Village schools in order to improve access to the Government of Pakistan examinations and certificates boards - work with other development partners to include refugees in existing education reform programmes, - support the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugee and Provincial Commissionerate Afghan Refugee to liaise and coordinate with the provincial education authorities (and supporting Sustainable Development Goals ¿ SDG 4), - enroll registered refugee children within nearby government schools ¿ through a phased-approach, - continue to fully fund the refugee education programmes in the 145 schools in the refugee villages and, cater for the education needs of 56,000 refugee children, through the provision of textbooks, learning material and uniforms alongside scholarship support to those seeking higher education, - continue to promote females¿ right to education aiming to reduce current gender discrepancies in school attendance