National Education Specialist-Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established to work in some of the world’s toughest places, aims to reach the most disadvantaged children globally. With operations in 190 countries and territories, UNICEF's mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to building a better world for everyone and never gives up on its mission for every child, every day.

Job Overview:
The National Education Specialist-Consultant will play a crucial role in the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project, which aims to support the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth (MoERDY) of Slovakia in desegregating Roma children in education. This position involves close collaboration with the TSI Project Coordinator-Consultant, facilitating communication and coordination with various stakeholders, providing logistical and technical support, and ensuring that project activities are relevant to the local context and aligned with national legislation. The consultant will also be responsible for translating and adapting project materials into Slovak, ensuring effective implementation of project activities, and maintaining regular communication with UNICEF ECARO to ensure timely execution of tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the TSI Project Coordinator-Consultant in coordinating project activities in Slovakia, including organizing meetings, workshops, and events, translating materials, and maintaining communication with MoERDY and other stakeholders.
• Act as a rapporteur during meetings/workshops, drafting minutes and reports as necessary.
• Provide contextualized technical expertise to adapt project activities to the Slovak context, including supporting international experts, collecting relevant legislation and data, and coordinating capacity-building events.
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations in communication with contractors and vendors, and provide logistical support for various events.
• Quality control of translations and ensure timely delivery of project outputs.
• Maintain regular communication with UNICEF ECARO and submit reports in English.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced degree in international development, human rights, education, or a relevant social science field is required. Candidates must have at least six years of professional experience in education, inclusive education, or working with vulnerable groups in education. Proven project management experience and knowledge of the Slovak education system, particularly regarding Roma education and recent reforms, is essential. Experience in conducting research, managing research projects, and delivering training is also advantageous. Strong networking and collaboration skills, along with fluency in English and Slovak, are mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate flexibility, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in fields such as international development, human rights, education, or other relevant social sciences. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of the role and the context in which the consultant will operate.

Experience:
A minimum of six years of professional work experience in education or related fields is required. This experience should include work focused on inclusive education and the inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly Roma children. Proven experience in project management and coordination of similar projects is essential, as is familiarity with the Slovak education system and recent reforms.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English and Slovak is mandatory. Excellent communication and presentation skills are required to effectively engage with stakeholders and produce high-quality reports and documentation. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is part-time and home-based, ideally located in Slovakia, with a commitment of 15.5 working days per month, totaling 279 working days from July 2025 to December 202

• Local travel may be required. The consultant will not be considered a staff member under UN regulations and will not receive benefits such as medical insurance or leave entitlements. The selected candidate must ensure valid visa and health insurance for the duration of the contract and confirm fully-vaccinated status against COVID-19, unless working remotely without direct interaction with UNICEF operations.