Education Planning and Policy Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates across five areas of operation, focusing on education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance. The agency's mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under challenging circumstances. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Education Planning and Policy Development Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting high-level strategic decision-making and shaping the Agency’s education agenda across all fields. This position is based at UNRWA Headquarters within the Education Programme and serves as a key link between strategic planning, data systems, and policy development. The incumbent will work closely with HQ divisions and field education teams to influence core processes such as resource allocation, school mapping, and system-wide reforms. The role requires providing technical leadership across various functions and may involve leading or coordinating staff and consultants, offering guidance, mentoring, and oversight on complex, cross-field initiatives. The specialist will also support the development, revision, and implementation of UNRWA's multi-year education strategy and operational workplans, ensuring alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and other educational guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for several key areas, including:

• Strategic Education Planning & Policy Development: Supporting the development and implementation of UNRWA's education strategy, ensuring alignment with international guidelines and preparing financial simulations for staffing needs and quality enhancement investments.
• Data Analysis and School Mapping: Leading the annual class formation and school mapping processes, coordinating with field offices to ensure correct application of norms and standards, and supporting the modernization of the Education Management Information System (EMIS).
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Policy Impact Assessment: Overseeing the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, contributing to the assessment of policy impacts, and guiding the preparation of annual education sector performance reports.
• Capacity Development & Technical Assistance: Providing technical assistance and capacity building to education staff, developing planning templates and training materials, and establishing partnerships with universities and research institutions.
• Contributing to Education Department-wide strategies and initiatives, including Education in Emergencies and Digital Education.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Education Planning, Economics of Education, Public Policy, or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in school mapping, education financing, or EMIS development. Demonstrated experience in education planning, policy analysis, and large-scale programme implementation is required, preferably within a ministry, international organization, or research institute. Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis, including the use of Excel and/or planning software, is essential. Familiarity with international education frameworks such as SDG 4 and UNESCO’s Education Policies is also necessary, along with experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and participatory planning processes.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Education Planning, Economics of Education, Public Policy, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. All university degrees must be stated in the application, where applicable.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 7 years of progressively responsible and professional experience in relevant fields such as school mapping, education financing, or EMIS development. Experience in education planning, policy analysis, and large-scale programme implementation is required, preferably within a ministry, international organization, or research institute. Additionally, candidates should have documented experience in drafting clear and concise policy reports and technical documents, as well as experience in education emergency response planning in conflict-affected or resource-constrained settings, which is desirable.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I. Familiarity with both languages will enhance communication and collaboration within the organization and with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 1 year, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds. The incumbent will be based in Amman and may be required to travel throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East or beyond. Applications must be fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. The agency disqualifies applicants whose names appear on the UN Sanctions List or those who have separated from UN agencies for misconduct.