Regional Adviser, Education (P-5), LACRO, Panama City, Panama, #17372

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.

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, results.

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, nutrition, 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.

Therefore, 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Regional Adviser serves as an authoritative and expert adviser to the Regional Director/Deputy Regional Director, the Regional Management Team, Country Offices and Government institutions/officials on strategies, policies, approaches, best practices and knowledge on education and related issues.

The incumbent leads regional office support to CO’s on programme development planning, implementation, management, resource mobilization, capacity building and knowledge management to achieve concrete and sustainable results on strengthening the national education systems to improve learning outcomes and universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive primary/early childhood education and renewing involvement in secondary education especially, for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded in society; in line with UNICEF Strategic Plans, performance standards and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Regional advisory services and technical support on strategic planning
• Support to country offices on programme development and planning
• Regional programme monitoring and assessment
• Advocacy, networking, and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in social development planning and management in education and related areas at the international level is required.
• Experience in Reimagine Education (digital learning, devices, affordability, connectivity, and engagement) as well partnership building for Education including with young people is considered an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Familiarity/background with emergency is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese or another official UN language is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2), Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3), Works Collaboratively with others (3), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3), Innovates and Embraces Change (3), Thinks and Acts Strategically (3), Drives to achieve impactful results (3), Manages ambiguity and complexity (3).

The functional competencies required for this post are Analyzing (3), Deciding and initiating action (3), Persuading and influencing (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. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF is committed to achieving gender balance at P-5 level by end 2021 and will prioritize eligible and suitable female candidates.