Senior Education Specialist, P-5, MENA Region

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for various posts in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region.

The Senior Education Specialist is accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Education Programme within the country. S/he leads a group of professional and support staff to develop the education programme in collaboration with other programmes and sectors, and with government and key development partners. S/he is accountable for the overall quality of the programme design and for ensuring its effective and efficient implementation, management and monitoring.

Key Expected Results

1. Managerial leadership

• Develop and manage the annual work plan of the Section with the education team; set priorities and targets; define performance measurement; and monitor work progress, and ensure that results are achieved within deadlines and in accordance with performance standards.
• Lead team members by establishing clear individual performance objectives, clarifying expectations, setting objectives, identifying goals, and providing feedback.

2. Programme management

• Lead and support the planning and conduct of situation analyses to ensure that current data is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes; to develop programme priorities, strategies; and design implementation plans.
• Leverage UNICEF’s position and competencies with donors, national governments, and communities promoting education initiatives and policies.
• Lead, coordinate and supervise the development of education programmes; set programme goals using results-based planning methodology and terminology.
• Oversee the preparation of programme proposals and documentation for inclusion in the Country Programme Recommendation, ensuring alignment with UNICEF Strategic Plan, regional strategies, and national priorities.
• Collaborate with global, national and UN system partners on the development of the Partnership Framework to identify areas requiring interventions, leverage resources, and enhance the implementation of education programmes.
• Collaborate with government and other stakeholders on monitoring and evaluation initiatives, and programme and annual reviews, establishing benchmarks and performance indicators for the delivery of concrete and sustainable results on education programmes.
• Plan and control the use of programme resources verifying compliance with rules and regulations and donor commitments; oversee the reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Ensure full implementation of relevant risk assurance plans, as well as the Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) for partners with whom UNICEF engages in programme implementation.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Establish strategic partnerships with local and national governments, UN system agencies, donors, civil society and the private sector to leverage funds and promote goals for education.
• Provide technical guidance to government officials, NGOs and UN system agencies on best practices to support development planning, implementation and delivery of results on educational issues.
• Participate in strategic discussions at key events to influence policy and agenda setting to combat discrimination against children and advocate for strategies and approaches that promote universal access to equitable and inclusive education for children.
• Develop communication strategies to promote awareness, establish partnerships for sustainable results, and support fund-raising efforts for UNICEF education programmes.
• Represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions on education to ensure that UNICEF’s position and priorities are integrated in the United Nations Development Action Framework (UNDAF); collaborate with the UN Country Team in the planning and preparation of programmes, including emergency preparedness.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable education programmes and initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Research, implement and disseminate best practices on education programmes and management.
• Develop policies and procedures that bolster innovation and best practices to maximize efficiency of programmes.
• Lead capacity building initiatives that enhance the competencies of stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• An Advanced University Degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required.

Work Experience

• Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible relevant professional work experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education at the international level
• International Work experience / Developing Country Experience required, preferably in the Middle East & North Africa Region
• Experience working in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English required, and good knowledge of Arabic highly desirable.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies/concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and initiating action
• Applying Technical Expertise

Remarks

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for various posts in the Middle East & North Africa Region, including both Family and Non-Family Duty Stations.

Successful candidates will be placed in a Talent Group. While this does not guarantee a position with UNICEF, as positions become available, successfully placed candidates in the Talent Groups will be reviewed and if found suitable, may be offered placement.

Contracts may be Fixed Term (FT) or Temporary Appointment (TA).

Previous applicants to this GVA need not apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Visit us at www.unicef.org/employ to register in our system and search for the detailed Vacancy Announcement using key words “GVA”, or “Education” or “MENA”. Closing date 29 January 2016.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.