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Internal Only: Senior Advisor Education, P-5, FT #86249, Education, PG, NYHQ

New York City

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Education, Learning and Training
  • Closing Date: Closed

You will lead on matters of management, resource mobilization, planning and finances, working across all teams within the education section to support and strengthen planning and financial management. You will deliver timely and good quality corporate planning and reporting submissions from the section. You will support UNICEF systems for the allocation, timely implementation and monitoring of education funding by HQ, RO and COs against education priorities. You will be responsible for leading the Management, Advocacy and Partnerships team within the Education Section.

Note: Programme Group (PG) is currently undergoing organizational changes, therefore the exact location of the post is still under consideration.  Currently, the post is based in New York but in case the location of the post will change, s/he would be expected to work remotely as the case may be, during the contractual period.    


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.

In support of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, the Education Section works to advance access, participation and learning outcomes for marginalized children through policy leadership and support to countries for excellence in programming. Expanding alternative education pathways, including digital learning, is a key programme priority, particularly in light of UNICEF’s new Education strategy, which seeks to accelerate progress towards addressing the learning crisis.

For every child, Education…

You will lead on matters of management, resource mobilization, planning and finances, working across all teams within the education section to support and strengthen planning and financial management. You will deliver timely and good quality corporate planning and reporting submissions from the section. You will support UNICEF systems for the allocation, timely implementation and monitoring of education funding by HQ, RO and COs against education priorities. You will be responsible for leading the Management, Advocacy and Partnerships team within the Education Section.

How can you make a difference?

1. Team leadership: Lead the Management, Advocacy and Partnerships (MAP) team. Ensure that activities in the three functional areas are aligned with overall section work plans and contribute to the overall achievement of organizational targets in education result areas. Manage staff in the team to deliver on agreed priorities. End Result(s): MAP team activities are well planned and implemented, and targets are achieved. Staff feel well managed and supported to achieve assigned results.

2. Work planning: Coordinate the development and manage the education section annual work planning process and associated budgets in consultation with the education section team leaders and relevant inter-divisional teams; coordinate inputs into inter-divisional submissions and reports to management; lead the delivery of core corporate reporting requirements including the annual review, and the Annual Results Report for education. End Result(s): Education section plans, reports and submissions are delivered to quality standards and on time. The education thematic review and progress reporting is acknowledged as meeting donor requirements. Indicators tracking education section’s programmatic KPIs are achieved.

3. Financial Management and Resource Mobilization: Maintain oversight of UNICEF’s core education funding, and support efforts to expand and diversify education funding for program implementation as well as for staff costs. Manage education section finances, working with programme assistants and their supervisors to accurately forecast expenditure and support timely financial reporting. Support the Director, Education, in the allocation, monitoring, timely implementation and reporting of thematic funds against education activities, within the section and with other offices and divisions, as appropriate, including ROs and COs. End Result(s): Education funding under the control of the section is allocated against core priorities, forecasting is increasingly realistic and expenditure is on track. Financial reporting is accurate and timely. Indicators tracking education section’s financial performance improve. Education funds across HQ, ROs, and Cos are allocated, implemented and monitored by UNICEF systems against education priorities.

4. Human resources: Manage the recruitment, and play a key role in the selection of staff and consultants needed to achieve the education section work plan; oversee the formulation of terms of reference, reviewing fit with work plans and budget availability; work with team leaders to address staff performance and development needs; support the development of medium term recruitment and capacity building strategies to increase the availability of good quality education technical staff deployable worldwide, including in emergency situations. Actively encourage and model good work life balance, without compromising business deliverables. End Result(s): The best qualified staff and consultants are recruited to support the implementation of the strategic plan and the section’s work plan. Recruitment is undertaken in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and regulations, as well as guidance on how to best address diversity and gender balance in the work environment.

5. Internal communication and education knowledge management: Oversee the internal communication and knowledge management functions (using all available tools) of the section ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet the needs of various stakeholders, including other teams within the section, regional offices, the extended education team and the Global Technical Teams. Liaise with Global Communication and Advocacy as needed. Support regular section and team management meetings to maximize efficiency and impact. End Result(s): Education section and extended team have clear and regular opportunities to communicate. The education knowledge management and communication tools (intranet, internet, education team site, social media) are adequately resourced and provide relevant and timely information.

To qualify as a champion for every child, the candidate must have…

  • An advanced university degree (PhD or Master’s or equivalent) in Education or a related field and/or Business Administration/Management.
  • Ten (10) years of experience in managing and overseeing complex programmes, including the management of budgets, finances and staff, at national or international levels.
  • A strong record of accomplishment and understanding of results reporting.
  • Familiarity and exposure to education programmes an advantage.
  • Fluency in English and basic knowledge of another UN language required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, 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.  All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

This vacancy is now closed.
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