Individual Consultant - Digital Education

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 is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for those dedicated to serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The position of Individual Consultant - Digital Education at UNICEF involves providing technical assistance to country offices in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, particularly in relation to the Airtel partnership. The consultant will coordinate and support the advancement of the Digital Education agenda, focusing on design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, mentoring, and monitoring implementation. The role requires the consultant to ensure that regional offices maintain momentum in implementing digital learning priorities, create documentation of best practices, and develop knowledge products on digital learning. The consultant will also organize workshops and webinars to disseminate information across stakeholders within UNICEF. This position is crucial for enhancing the digital capacity of teachers and ensuring effective use of digital education tools and resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including analyzing and providing written suggestions to country office workplans, guiding the design of the Pathways Framework package, and providing quarterly analyses of the Airtel partnership activities across seven countries. They will review end-of-year reporting from 21 country offices, update a comprehensive PowerPoint deck on the status of digital learning, and provide technical support for the development of new content modules for the Superstar Teacher Toolbox. The consultant will also document feedback and key learnings from the implementation of the Pathways Framework, support the creation of a regional Long-Term Agreement for digital education content development, and provide on-site technical assistance as needed. Regular meetings and updates will be part of the consultant's responsibilities, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with various teams within UNICEF.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree or equivalent experience in Education, Education Technology, ICT, or a related field. A first university degree combined with seven additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. At least eight years of proven experience in implementing technology programs and solid experience in designing and implementing education programming at scale are required. Excellent writing, planning, and coordination skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently. Previous experience with UNICEF or in advising digital education initiatives in developing contexts, particularly in Africa, is advantageous. Candidates must also exhibit UNICEF's core values and competencies.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Education, Education Technology, or ICT. Alternatively, a first university degree with extensive professional experience in related areas may be considered. The emphasis is on having a strong foundation in education and technology, with a focus on practical application in real-world scenarios.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of relevant experience in the implementation of technology programs, particularly in the education sector. Candidates should have a proven track record of designing and implementing education programming at scale, demonstrating their ability to manage complex projects and deliver results effectively. Experience working with international organizations, especially in the context of digital education initiatives in developing countries, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages such as French and Portuguese is considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultant is expected to work remotely but should be available during Nairobi working hours (10 am to 4 pm). There may be opportunities for travel to support countries, with UNICEF covering quarantine costs if necessary. All travel will be conducted at the most economical fare, and reimbursement will follow UNICEF policy. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities. Payment for deliverables will be made upon satisfactory completion, and no advance payments are allowed unless under exceptional circumstances. Selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely without direct interaction with UNICEF's operations.