Education Specialist

Job Number: 512829 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Senegal

Work Type : Fixed Term Staff

I. Post Information

Job Title: Education  Specialist (Early Learning)

Supervisor Title/ Level: Regional Adviser Education

Organizational Unit:

Post Location: WCARO (Senegal)

Job Level: P4

Job Profile No.: 86388

CCOG Code:

Functional Code:

Job Classification Level:

II. 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 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, 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. 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.

Purpose for the job

Under the guidance of the Regional Advisor for Education, responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Early Learning component of the regional Education Strategy and within UNICEF programme.

III. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks (Please outline the key accountabilities for this position and underneath each accountability, the duties that describe how they are delivered. Please limit to four to seven accountabilities)

1. Strategic regional representation

Ensure adequate contribution to regional and global Early Childhood Development related exchanges and strategic planning, with a major focus on early learning

Support appropriate visibility of WCAR early learning related best practices and challenges for partnership and resources mobilization.

2. Knowledge Management and Intellectual Leadership

Further promote knowledge management by drafting or finalizing sectoral documents and reports such as the Country Programme Recommendation and Plans of Action as well as through orientation and training programmes targeted to Government authorities. Ensure exchange of knowledge, information, experience or lessons learned; provides solid technical recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.

Enhance effective programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input, using gender disaggregated data and analysis.

3.Technical Assistance to support country offices

Promote the quality of rights-based programming through participation in the formulation of program goals, strategies and approaches promoting Early Learning. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or program management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

4. Sectoral and Intersectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring.

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral and intersectoral work plan, which reflects UNICEF contribution as part of the coordinated support of external partners to national efforts to achieve the SDGs.

Takes responsibility of technical decisions as well as for project management, implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral and intersectoral activity, in compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches emphasizing the principles of gender equity and strategies for gender mainstreaming.

5. Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting.

Ensure programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation with an emphasis on gender-disaggregated data.

Ensure contribution and participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts with involvement of all stakeholders.

6. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.

7.  Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.

Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Early Learning programme requirements and objectives. Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and collect information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with country offices and regional/global partners.

Collaborate with Communication and Programme Communication groups to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.

Overall coordination with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Project or Programme Officers to ensure the integration of the project/sectoral programme with other sectors, when relevant.

IV. Impact of Results (Please briefly outline how the efficiency and efficacy of the incumbent impacts its office/division and how this in turn improves UNICEF’s capacity in achieving its goals)

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of early learning programmes  and the achievement of concrete and sustainable results contribute to the achievement of UNICEF goals for care development and protection of children from the early stages of their life and promote/protect their rights to survival, development and wellbeing in society. Achievement in early learning will moreover support progresses towards reducing the number of out of school children (by boosting right age admission), and improving learning outcomes for children>

V. Competencies and level of proficiency required (please base on UNICEF Competency Profiles)

Core Values

Commitment. Diversity and inclusion. Integrity

Core competencies

Communication (II); Working with people (II); Drive for results (II).

Functional Competencies:

Leading and supervising (I); Formulating strategies/concepts

(II); Analyzing

(III); Relating and networking

(II); Deciding and initiating action

(II); Applying Technical Expertise (III).

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree in Early Childhood Development, Education, Health, Social Science or a field relevant to international development assistance.

Experience: Eight years of relevant work experience at the national and international levels in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, in the field of Early Childhood Development and/or Education.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English. Knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese as well as knowledge of the WCAR context are considered an asset.

Closing Date Sat May 12 2018 00:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)

Apply: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=512829