Chief Education (Learning, Skills and Engagement)

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 to its staff. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of building careers that contribute to the well-being of children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Chief Education (Learning, Skills and Engagement) position at UNICEF Mozambique is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the Learning, Skills and Engagement (LSE) programme. This programme aims to address the educational challenges faced by children and adolescents in Mozambique, particularly in light of the country's demographic profile, where 65% of the population is under 24 years old. The Chief will be accountable for ensuring the quality and coherence of integrated strategies that improve foundational learning, expand inclusive learning pathways, and strengthen the resilience of the education system. The role involves translating the Country Programme vision into scalable strategies, providing authoritative advice to government and partners, and utilizing data to support adaptive management and policy dialogue. The Chief will lead a multidisciplinary team and foster an inclusive and results-oriented culture, ensuring that adolescents and young people can transition successfully to further learning and work opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and accountability for the LSE section, ensuring effective management and oversight of the programme.
• Design and implement integrated programme strategies that encompass the three key outputs of the LSE programme.
• Monitor programme results, generate evidence, and demonstrate impact through effective programme management.
• Engage in policy dialogue and strengthen systems to institutionalize scalable models for education and youth engagement.
• Mobilize resources and advocate for partnerships that support learning, skills, and engagement initiatives.
• Foster innovation and knowledge management within the programme, ensuring capacity development for staff and partners.
• Lead and manage a diverse team, promoting an inclusive and ethical work environment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in fields such as Education, International Development, Social Science, or related areas. A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in education, programme management, skills development, and adolescent development is required. Demonstrated experience in strategic leadership, programme design, and resource mobilization for large-scale education programmes is essential. Candidates should also have experience in using data and evidence to improve programme quality and inform policy dialogue, as well as experience working with government institutions on education systems strengthening.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, International Development, Social Science, Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, Youth Development, Educational Planning, Skills Development, or related fields is required for this position.

Experience:
At least 10 years of relevant work experience in areas such as Education, Learning, Programme Management, Skills Development, and Adolescent Development is necessary. Candidates should have a proven track record in managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating complex partnerships with various stakeholders, including government, development partners, and civil society.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Portuguese or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset, as is familiarity with local languages.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and involves significant responsibilities in a developing country context. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must comply with UNICEF's policies on safeguarding and conduct, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and background verification checks.