Consultant for Smarter Safer Schools Programme

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, fostering a culture of belonging and growth, and providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide technical coordination and implementation support for the rollout of the Smarter Safer Schools programme across participating provinces during its first year. The consultant will facilitate coordination among UNICEF programme sections, implementing partners, and government counterparts to ensure effective operationalization of the programme implementation arrangements developed during the inception phase. This role is crucial for the successful implementation of the Smarter Safer Schools programme, which is supported by the Australian Government through DFAT and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the National Department of Education. The consultant will be expected to engage with various stakeholders, manage relationships, and ensure that the programme meets its objectives effectively and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical coordination and implementation support for the Smarter Safer Schools programme.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between UNICEF programme sections, implementing partners, and government counterparts.
• Oversee the operationalization of programme implementation arrangements.
• Monitor and report on programme progress and outcomes.
• Mobilize and coordinate with internal teams and external partners, including government stakeholders and multilateral organizations.
• Support the development of programme strategies and ensure alignment with UNICEF's goals and objectives.
• Engage in policy dialogue and translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of educational resources and tools to support programme implementation.
• Participate in capacity-building initiatives for local partners and stakeholders. 1
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF's policies and procedures throughout the programme lifecycle.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent) in education, economics, psychology, sociology, or a relevant technical field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in programme planning, management, coordination, and/or research in education.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale bilateral and multilateral funding partnerships, particularly with GPE and familiarity with the Australian Government DFAT.
• Knowledge of funding and partnership modalities of international financial institutions (e.g., World Bank, Asian Development Bank) is advantageous.
• Proven ability to mobilize and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including government and non-governmental organizations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent advanced university degree in fields such as education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical area. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the Smarter Safer Schools programme.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in programme planning, management, coordination, and/or research specifically in the education sector. Candidates should have extensive experience managing large-scale bilateral and multilateral funding partnerships, particularly with organizations like GPE, and familiarity with the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is ideal. Experience in emergencies or fragile contexts is also valuable, as is a flexible and open-minded approach to working in Papua New Guinea.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. While not required, additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they enhance communication with local stakeholders or partners in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is office-based and has a contract duration of 8 months. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization also offers reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.