Education Specialist

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 passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Education Specialist plays a crucial role under the guidance of the Chief Education, focusing on the development and management of education programs. This position involves implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on education projects within the country program. The specialist is expected to provide technical guidance and support throughout the programming processes, ensuring that education programs are equitable and inclusive, particularly for marginalized and disadvantaged children. The role also includes supporting UNICEF's responsibilities as a grant agent for the Global Partnership for Education and coordinating the Education Sector Common Fund. The Education Specialist will engage in strategic discussions, program planning, and the formulation of proposals aligned with UNICEF’s strategic objectives and national priorities. This position is vital for improving learning outcomes and ensuring access to quality education for all children in Niger.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support program development and planning by preparing and updating situation analyses for education programs, ensuring comprehensive data is available for strategic policy and advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues and partners to establish monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators for education programs.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, preparing reports to assess program management and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts and partners on UNICEF policies and best practices in education.
• Build and sustain partnerships with government, stakeholders, and donors to enhance cooperation and achieve sustainable results in education.
• Apply innovative approaches to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, ensuring effective program delivery.
• Organize capacity-building initiatives to enhance competencies related to education programs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology, or a relevant technical field. A minimum of five years of professional experience in program planning, management, or research in education is required. Experience in a developing country and relevant experience in a UN agency are considered assets. Fluency in French is mandatory, and knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an advantage.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field is required for this position. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of education systems and the socio-economic factors affecting them.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in program planning, management, and/or research in education. Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset, as is relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization. Candidates should have a strong understanding of education sector planning and policy dialogue.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles.