Education Specialist - UNICEF (Apply by: 18 June 2014)

SAMS is helping UNICEF, the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, fill the following vacancy for a senior education professional:

(1) Education Specialist
(2) Location: Guwahati 

Purpose of the Post

The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating and influencing the State Government’s policy, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, for education programme or specific projects in Assam and North-East. 

S/he will work at the State and District level under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office, and take sector specific guidance from the Education Section in UNICEF Delhi.

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Programme Planning & Implementation: 
(1) Promote the quality of rights-based Education programming through participation in the formulation of programme goals, and approaches. Bring synergy and added value to sectoral or programme management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
(2) Contributes for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for project management, implementation and monitoring of assigned education activity, in compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches.
(3) Analyzes and evaluates data and/or takes corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.
(4) Contributes to and enables the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of Government flagship programmes in Education and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement.
(5) Integrates inputs from Education Section, ICO on programme planning and implementation.

2. Influencing Policy: 
Analyse and recommend policies, systems of management, resource allocation and coordination systems around education issues and programmes.

3. Building Partnerships: 
(1) Convene strategic partnerships – among government, nongovernment, teachers’ organizations, and community based organizations to impact on overall education, to support education programmes and leverage resources in the State in the context of RTE
(2) Interact with State, national and international agencies and commissions, on the management of education programmes/projects. Participates in meetings with Ministries/Departments responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements.
(3) Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation, with special focus on the education needs of marginalized/excluded children.

4. Capacity-building and technical assistance to Government: 
(1) Assists government authorities and non-government partners to plan and organize capacity-building initiatives. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of education projects.
(2) Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: 
(1) Facilitates the review of systems and capacity related to delivery of Education-related services to children and the interventions to improve such systems and capacities.
(2) Undertakes field visits to monitor programmes (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conducting periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.
(3) Identifies and recommends necessary action for programme adjustments. Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other partners in the planning and management of programme/projects.
(4) Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, led by PPE, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and writing relevant chapters of the Analysis.

6. Inter-sectoral collaboration: 
(1) Proactively collaborates within state and/or sector with programme colleagues, especially those in Child Protection and in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Child Environment) to ensure an integrated approach to project planning, implementation and monitoring, as well as pooling of resources for more effective programming.
(2) Assists in the development of appropriate advocacy and communications strategies to support and/or advocate Education programme development in coordination with the Communications Officer (A&P).
(3) Assists in the planning and formulation of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) initiatives with regard to education to enable more effective behaviour change in coordination with the Communication for Development (C4D) Officer.
(4) Supports/undertakes research that focusses on tracking programmes of social inclusion in coordination with PPE Officer.

7. Work plan development: 
(1) Responsible for the development of the Education Rolling Work plan in the State in coordination with the Education Sector/Network, and ensures compliance with specific assigned objectives.
(2) Provides guidance and support to subordinate staff/consultants to manage and implement projects.
(3) Ensures convergence with Child Protection and Child Environment programmes, in terms of planning of activities, monitoring and reporting progress on IRs.

8. Supplies and Cash Assistance: 
Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Chief of Field Office on a regular basis.

9. Report Writing: 
Writes education programme inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

(1) Education
Master’s degree from a recognized university in Education or Social Sciences or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.

(2) Work Experience 
Minimum five years progressively responsible professional work experience in design, administration, monitoring and evaluation of flagship education programmes at state or national level.

(3) Languages 
Fluency in written and spoken English and working knowledge of Hindi required. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.

(4) Competency 

Technical Knowledge                     
(a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required 
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)  

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF Education programmes
• Advanced Technical Knowledge of the theories, principles and methods in one of the following areas: Education; Primary Education, Economics, Social Sciences, and/or related fields.

(b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) 
Knowledge of theories and practices in:
• Programme/project management in Education      
• Monitoring and Evaluation                  
• Training and Capacity Development in Education
• Alternative Basic Education
• Curriculum Development                                        
• Knowledge Management

(c) General knowledge of:
• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies for Education programmes
• Knowledge of global education issues, specifically relating to children and women.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address education issues, including those relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan
• UNICEF Board endorsed policy papers (e.g. The Education Strategy) and agency-wide programmes impacting on education results.

(d)Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job) 
• Government development plans and policies
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.

(e) Other skills and attributes:
• In depth understanding and knowledge of Education issues and sector
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in development cooperation, in particular pertaining to education.
• Good understanding of the intersectoral linkages between education and child protection (e.g. child labour, child marriage) and measures to improve water, sanitation and hygiene practices in schools
• Understanding of social mobilization and behaviour change communication
• Understanding of the importance and role of partnerships
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Report writing
• Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.

Applications consisting of a cover letter, P11 and an up-to-date CV should be sent to esg-unicef@sams.co.in by June 18, 2014.  The P11 form may be downloaded from here. The vacancy is open to Indian Nationals only.

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 the organization.