Education Specialist, P-3 at UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

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 — 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.

Purpose

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief of Education (P4), the Education Specialist will ensure the seamless programme, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNICEF’s European Union Funded “Last Mile Connectivity of Schools”, the Dutch Funded “PROSPECTS” Integrated Projects, and will lead climate-resilient education system-related technical assistance and implementation. This will be done in close collaboration with other programme sections in UNICEF Kenya Country Office (including Innovation, Child Protection, WASH and Social Policy), respective field offices and involved partners.

Main Responsibilities

Support to Project Development, Planning and Coordination 

• Together with the Education Section Chief (Prospects and EU) and Innovation Manager (EU), represent the UNICEF team in donor/partnership negotiations, regular donor meetings, briefings, field missions and visibility/recognition efforts related to the EU Funded “Last Mile Connectivity of Schools” and Dutch Funded PROSPECTS Projects.
• Strategic Programme Design: Engage in crucial programme planning discussions, through coordinating with different respective sections in setting clear joint priorities, targeting criteria and implementation plans for interventions in projects related to the EU and PROSPECTS projects, as well as work related to climate change and education, to create, maintain and maximize synergies.
• Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of the assigned programmes/projects, particularly in establishing ties within and leveraging on different related activities in the 2 projects (and beyond) which are aligned to the original proposals and would enhance convergences across programme sections to maximize impact on children and young people and sustain the achieved results.
• Establish and strengthen (existing) coordination structure within UNICEF and across partners to ensure smooth project implementation, documentation and proper communication.

Project Management, Implementation, Monitoring for Quality Delivery of Results

• In collaboration with the technical leads, support the Education Section Chief in the overall project management of the EU Project (in collaboration with the Innovation Manager) and the education component of the PROSPECTS project. Arrange for the joint field visits to contribute to better programme integration for outcome achievements and convergence across different sections and different partners.
• Actively assess/monitor progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and report them to the Chief of Education for timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant colleagues/management for timely resolution. Advise on corrective actions required to reach planned targets/results.
• Participate in project monitoring and evaluation exercises, project reviews and annual reviews with Nairobi based staff, field-based staff, donors, government, and other counterparts to document lessons learnt and coordinate the communication of actions as needed.
• Coordinate the quality and timely reporting of project results (technical and financial) in line with the Donor requirements.

Project Budget Management/Tracking

• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of financial resources (confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments and conditionality, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources).
• Support the preparation of customized financial reports by coordinating timely, accurate and verified inputs and analysis of utilised funds per reporting period.

  Technical and operational support to project implementation

• Provide technical guidance, especially as it relates to climate change and education, to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and country office partners
• Coordinate internally with the sections involved in the implementation of the assigned projects for efficient programme/project planning, implementation, and reporting: organize regular, monthly coordination meetings to deliver programme/project updates and proposals for key decisions, based on the previous deliberations and the approved accountability framework and strategic plans, following up on actions, circulating materials one week in advance and sharing minutes and requested documents.
• Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and ensure that these are shared for timely actions.

Networking, Partnership Building, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building 

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, respective UN agencies, project consortia, national organizations, global partners, and donors through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on the PROSPECTS and EU projects, as well as for climate change resilience in education.
• Represent UNICEF in various relevant education, PROSPECTS and EU projects forums, as well as in climate coordination, to advocate for children’s rights and needs and ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the process and agenda setting.
• Prepare briefings about status of the 2-project implementation as needed.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.

To qualify an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Business Administration, Social Science, Education, International Development, Environment or any other related field.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Integrated/multisectoral programming, Coordination/Management, Partnership Development, UNICEF Experience or any other related field.
• Skills: Knowledge in Multisectoral Programming, Project Coordination, Donor/Partner Relations is required.
• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience in Refugee Education, Education Program-Management, Skills Building, ECHO-PROSPECTS Experience, Humanitarian Experience is an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.