Education Specialist, P-4, Nairobi, Kenya

Job Number: 495901 | Vacancy Link
Location: Somalia
Work Type : Fixed Term Staff

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The incumbent is responsible for the overall development, management, planning and delivery of the Global Partnership for Education programme currently managed by UNICEF as the Managing Entity The GPE programme represents the core policy, systems and capacity development component of support to the education authorities with a special focus on supporting teacher incentives within the overall Education programme within the UNICEF Somalia 2011-2015 Country Programme (to be extended until end of 2017). The post incumbent will provide strategic leadership in delivery of education targets of the overall UN Assistance Strategy to Somalia (UNSAS) ) and undertake innovative strategies in the sector to effectively respond to emergency and developmental needs of Somali children and women.

The incumbent will be expected to lead UNICEF cooperation in Education with all agencies of importance both inside and outside Somalia, under the aegis of the Education Sector Committees in Somalia and in Nairobi. This includes continued engagement and support to the relevant education authorities in their partnership efforts with other donor programmes.

The incumbent will be expected to spend up to 35% of their time in Somalia supporting the UNICEF zonal offices in Somaliland, Puntland and Central South Somalia and providing direct technical support to the local education administrations. Major challenges will be to (i) identify and promote sustainable, community-based financing mechanisms for the expansion of basic education, (ii) improve the quality of basic education, particularly in primary schools, (iii) redress the gender imbalance among pupils as well as teachers, and (iv)attract continuing, substantial external investments for expansion of basic education in Somalia.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

-Supervise the activities leading to the completion of the Education Sector Analysis and the Education Sector Strategic Plan Update for all three governments especially for Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia where UNICEF is taking the lead in its implementation, and its periodic update, including technical support to the EMIS in each region and government-led annual primary school census. Formulate education programme goals and objectives. Collaborate with partners (USAID, EU, UN, NGO, donors and other) to formulate and develop strategies, methodologies and new approaches for improving programme delivery with emphasis on community participation and local support of basic education. Supervise preparation of education sectoral inputs to the Country Programme documents such as Country Programme Document, Country Programme Action Plan, Annual Workplans and VISION related activities. As part of the senior management team, ensure the integration of the various elements of the education programme with other sectors, in all stages of the programming process, ie the Situation Analysis, Country Programme Document, programme strategy, planning, monitoring and evaluation.

-Provide leadership, guidance and direction for GPE programme management and evaluation of the education programme through periodic meetings, individually and in groups with the various sectoral teams. Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve programme requirements and objectives. Review and evaluate the technical, institutional and financial feasibility and constraints of education programmes and projects, in coordination and collaboration with other partners. Facilitate communication and coordinate works in relation to the new phase of GPE funding. In addition, provide technical inputs for developing new GPE programmes and facilitate communication for the second phase of GPE grant if UNICEF is to become the Grant Agent.

-As head of a large programme, responsible for overall coordination of the development of workplans, monitoring compliance and providing support and guidance to ensure objectives are met. This entails identification of internal resource requirements, training and performance planning and monitoring. Ensure timely and high quality reporting to the donor, and monitoring and evaluation of impact and results to advocate for continuation of the programme beyond its current timeframe.

-Interact and provide technical support to local authorities and Non-government organizations at the national, regional and local levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the GPE programme and related components of the UNICEF Somalia Education programme. Provide technical support in the areas of education policy and sector planning according to SWAp principles and in order to attract funding to the sector. Plan, organize and conduct training and orientation activities for education sector personnel for the purpose of capacity building at all levels within Somalia, and expansion of basic education coverage of services there.

-Coordinate with Operations/Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities. Approve disbursement of funds related to education, ensuring proper liquidation and accountability, such that activities are within established plans of action and the programme budget allotments. Ensure timely and quality fund management for the GPE programme according to UNICEF and GPE regulations and procedures. Provide technical inputs for developing UNICEF Somalia Education Sector Framework that will feed into the new Country Programme.

-Conduct field assessment visits and surveys to monitor and evaluate programme implementation and effectiveness, identify problems and instituting remedial measures. Identify alternative courses of action to accelerate/improve programme delivery. Spend up to 35% of the time inside Somalia working directly with the education administrations, sector partners and the UNICEF zonal offices.

-In coordination and collaboration with other professional colleagues, establish and develop effective information and reporting systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of the programme and achievement of targeted goals. Contribute to the development of communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and community participation in support of the programme. Participate in programme workshops at regional and country level to receive and exchange knowledge, ideas and approaches.

-Ensure the timely preparation of all programme reports required by Management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc. Coordinate activities and exchange information/ideas with other programme sectors to contribute to achievement of overall country programme objectives.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

-An Advanced University Degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required.
-8 years progressive experience at national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation in related field. Proven expertise in education policy, systems and capacity development within the education sector including sector wide approaches to programming and related financing mechanisms. Experience in similar contexts of fragility is highly desirable.
-Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
-Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values
-Commitment
-Diversity and Inclusion
-Integrity

Core competencies
-Communication - Level II
-Working with People - Level II
-Drive for Results - Level II

Functional Competencies
-Leading and Supervising - Level I
-Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Level II
-Analyzing - Level III
-Relating and Networking - Level II
-Deciding and Initiating Action - Level II
-Applying Technical Expertise - Level III

HOW TO APPLY:

Link to view our competency framework:http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
Link to apply: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=495901

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 organisation.

Opening Date 10 May 2016 E. Africa Standard Time
Closing Date 24 May 2016 E. Africa Standard Time