Vacancy Announcement - Education Specialist, NOC, FT, Sokoto Nigeria #123431

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Education Specialist to Programme preparation, planning and implementation contribute to the achievement of sustainable results to improve learning outcomes and universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive education. Success in education programmes and projects in turn contribute to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide Programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

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 fulfil 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, Educate

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfil and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 — will not only give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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.

The Education Specialist is based in Sokoto Field office, reporting line to Education Specialist. 

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Education Specialist P3, the Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Education programmes and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the progress of education programmes within the field office.

The Education Specialist provide support to the leadership, coordination and technical guidance on early childhood education, foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), teacher professional development, alternative learning pathways, and skills development, as well as coordination and oversight of Programme implementation, budget utilization, and reporting.

The Education Specialist is expected to contribute to the achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key responsibilities:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

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

1. Support to Programme development and planning

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes with focus on the learning/quality component to ensure that current and comprehensive data on quality learning and learning outcome is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes.
• Help supervisor set priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance Programme management, efficiency and delivery.
• Participate in strategic Programme discussions on the planning of education programmes. Formulate, design and prepare Programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Programme and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Provide inputs and prepare required documentation for Programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners including the private sector to discuss strategies, methodologies and intersectoral interventions and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure that well-planned/structured learning interventions are conducted.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for learning, learning outcomes and quality education in general.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, Programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in Programme management.
• Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral Programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated Programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of Programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to Programme implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education and related issues to support Programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with country office to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process.
• Participate in education Programme meetings including Programme development on ECE, FLN and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice and support and strengthen coordination mechanisms.
• Draft policy papers, concept notes, briefs and other strategic Programme materials for management use.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes.
• Prepare innovative communication and information materials for programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fundraising for education programmes.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions on education and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable Programme results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.

Technical competencies must be demonstrated in the following areas:

• Understanding of the overall global development context, including issues such as: poverty, conflict and the impact of these factors on education and vice-versa; and inter-sectoral approaches to address such issues in collaboration with other sectors (including Social Policy, Child Protection, Nutrition, WASH, Health, and Communications within UNICEF).
• Knowledge of global developments in education and international engagement strategies, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming.
• Ability to support policy dialogue: translation of analytical findings and evidence into development Programme and policy discussions around equity and learning with partners, including government, development partners, CSOs and academia in relevant areas.
• Education sector planning knowledge/ability, including the range of modalities for delivering education, linkages between different sub-sectors (e.g., ECD, Primary, Secondary, Inclusive Education), cost-effectiveness and efficiency issues, key institutional structures, components and processes, as well as governance issues.
• Education and policy sector analysis capacity, including an understanding of the core education data sets and indicators; tools for analysis of equity; determinants of student access and learning; budget, costing, and financial management in education systems; political economy; and education policy and strategic planning.
• Programme management in education, including Programme design, costing, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
• Ability to support engagement with partners and networking with key partners.
• Understanding of gender and inequity issues in relation to education and development and the application of gender/equity analysis to policy and planning in education.

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

Education:

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of professional experience in Programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Technical Skills: Experience engaging key stakeholders and partners at multiple levels of the education system (e.g., national/state level decision-makers, teachers); working knowledge of key education strategies, priorities and approaches, including the UNICEF Education Strategy (2019-2030), FLN, non-formal education, alternative learning pathways, adolescent skills development, etc.; excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to adjust messaging for various audiences.

Behavioral skills: Excellent interpersonal skills; excellent collaboration with colleagues and partners; strong leadership and management skills and experiences; attentive and open to feedback and new ideas; and effective planning and problem-solving skills.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (verbal and written). Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA). 

• The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
• Builds and maintains partnerships (II)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (II)
• Drive to achieve results (II)
• Innovates and embraces change (II)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (II)
• Thinks and acts strategically (II)
• Works collaboratively with others (II)
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (II)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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 appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.