Education Emergency Response Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of children around the world. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, focusing on the most disadvantaged children. The organization is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, and employs over 12,000 staff members globally. UNICEF's mission is to ensure every child survives, thrives, and fulfills their potential, advocating for children's rights and providing essential services such as health care, education, and protection from violence and exploitation.

Job Overview:
The Education Emergency Response Consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening UNICEF's capacity to deliver effective education in emergencies (EiE). This position involves supporting emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to ensure the continuation of learning for children affected by crises. The consultant will work under the supervision of the EiE Senior Education Advisor, providing technical and operational support to UNICEF's emergency education responses globally, particularly in Level 3 and 2 emergencies. The consultant will engage in various activities, including emergency response support, technical assistance for education delivery, and contributing to the integration of EiE into national education systems. The role requires a commitment to UNICEF's Core Commitments for Children and aims to enhance resilience and long-term sustainability in education systems affected by emergencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of duties, including:

• Providing emergency response support to crisis-affected countries (L3/L2) by coordinating, implementing, and monitoring emergency education responses.
• Ensuring that high-impact EiE interventions align with UNICEF's Core Commitments for Children and global technical guidance.
• Delivering technical assistance for education and learning, including establishing safe learning spaces, supporting teachers, and developing learning continuity strategies in emergencies.
• Supporting the mainstreaming of EiE into national education systems by providing technical assistance to regional and country offices and contributing to thought leadership in collaboration with key donors and partners.
• Developing tools, guidance, and capacity-building initiatives to integrate EiE into national education policies and systems.
• Contributing to the design and rollout of strategies that enhance education system preparedness, resilience, and risk reduction.
• Participating in global EiE coordination platforms and inter-agency working groups.
• Contributing to knowledge products, advocacy efforts, and technical reports on EiE.
• Providing recommendations for strengthening UNICEF's emergency education response based on field experience. The consultant will work closely with HQ, regional, and country offices to ensure effective delivery of emergency education responses and the integration of EiE into education systems for sustainable impact.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Education, Economics, Social Sciences, or a field relevant to international development assistance.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in program management or advisory/technical support in education policies, programming, and implementation at a national level, with at least three years at the international level.
• Experience in emergency settings, including preparedness, recovery, and response, with a solid understanding of humanitarian architecture, procedures, and funding mechanisms.
• Relevant experience in education program/project development and management at the UN, a UN agency, or a related organization is an asset.
• Experience with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Cluster approach is desired.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree) in Education, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field relevant to international development assistance. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of education in emergency contexts and for effectively contributing to UNICEF's mission.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of eight years of professional experience in program management or advisory/technical support in education policies, programming, and implementation at a national level, with at least three years of experience at the international level. This experience should include work in emergency settings, demonstrating a solid understanding of humanitarian architecture, procedures, and funding mechanisms.

Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required for this position. Knowledge of French is considered an asset, while knowledge of an additional UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is desirable. Proficiency in these languages will enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the field of education in emergencies.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home/office-based and is expected to last from May 1, 2025, to December 31, 202

• Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and upload copies of their academic credentials. A financial proposal reflecting the costs per deliverable and total lump-sum for the assignment is required, along with travel costs and daily subsistence allowances if applicable. UNICEF will cover any emergent/unforeseen duty travel and related expenses. Selected candidates must have current health insurance coverage at the time the contract is awarded. Payment of professional fees will be based on the submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if the deliverables do not meet the required standards or if there are delays. Candidates are subject to background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.