Education Specialist

Under the supervision of the Chief, Mindanao Field Office and overall technical guidance and direction of the Chief, Education, the Education Specialist is responsible for managing the Education component of the UNICEF 9th Country Programme of Cooperation in the context of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The Specialist in the Mindanao Field Office (MFO) will bring solid education expertise and strategic leadership to manage all stages of education programmes/projects in the context of the Bangsamoro Basic Education Reform and Development Plan 2021-2035. This includes strategic planning and formulation, as well as delivery of results on strengthening BARMM education system to improve learning outcomes, universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive primary/early childhood education as well as alternative learning systems, especially for children, adolescents and young people who are marginalized, disadvantaged, and excluded in society. The Specialist ensures inter-sectoral linkages with other UNICEF supported programmes and also establishes and enhances strategic partnerships and collaboration with the BARMM government ministries and agencies as well as other education stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral agencies, CSOs/NGOs, local academe, religious bodies, and private sector among others. The Specialist contributes to achievement of results in Mindanao according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office, the post shall undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

Managerial leadership

• ▪ Manage the Education portfolio in UNICEF’s Mindanao Field Office (MFO) and supervise MFO education team members, including consultants, by providing them with clear objectives, goals, direction, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• ▪ Contribute to the Education section’s annual work plan as well as the Mindanao Field Office work plan and set priorities and targets for Education in BARMM. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• ▪ Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the MFO education team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the team.

Programme development and planning:

• ▪ Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the education programmes in BARMM to ensure that current and comprehensive data on education issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy, advocacy, intervention and development efforts on education programmes.
• ▪ Help supervisor set priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery.
• ▪ Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of education programmes. Formulate, design and prepare programme proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Programme and coherence/integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• ▪ Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval.
• ▪ Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• ▪ Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results:

• ▪ Plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector on education programmes in BARMM.
• ▪ Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
• ▪ Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and weaknesses in programme management.
• ▪ Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• ▪ Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits and surveys, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• ▪ Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• ▪ Prepare regular and mandated programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation:

• ▪ Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners and donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on education and related issues to support programme management, implementation, and delivery of results.
• ▪ Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with CO (Manila-based staff) and Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process.
• ▪ Participate in education programme meetings including programme development and contingency planning to provide technical and operational information, advice, and support.
• ▪ Draft policy papers, briefs, and other strategic programme materials for management use.

Advocacy, networking, and partnership building:

• ▪ Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on education programmes.
• ▪ Prepare communication and information materials for MFO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund raising for education programmes.
• ▪ Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions on education and related issues at BARMM level to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on inter-agency strategic planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSCDF and other inter-agency strategy development processes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

• ▪ Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• ▪ Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in education management. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• ▪ Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• ▪ Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Experience in developing strategies and implementing development concepts in the education sector is required.

Skills (optional): 

• Strong project management experience, including programme design and implementation, budget management, the development of work plans, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to prioritize work and delegate tasks.
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate teams.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) and Filipino.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/579772