Education Specialist, NO-C, Fixed Term, Brasilia, Brazil # 100357

UNICEF Brazil is looking for a seasoned professional to provide management and technical guidance support to achieve the best results in the education programme by improving access and learning outcomes, an equitable and inclusive public education, especially for vulnerable children and adolescents in most vulnerable situation. The incumbent will support programme preparation/design, planning and implementation, advocacy plans development to deal with key stakeholders; support fundraising proposal preparation, contributing to achieve universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive education.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, education

Since 1950, UNICEF has supported the most important transformation for children and adolescents in Brazil. UNICEF Brazil with its main office in Brasília and nine field offices, UNICEF works in close partnership with national and sub-national governments, corporate partners, youth, and civil society organizations. For information on the work of our UNICEF in Brazil, please visit our website: UNICEF Brazil.

How can you make a difference?

Under the Chief Education’s guidance, you will be based in Brasilia, and is accountable for supporting the development and preparation of the Education programme by managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of education programme/projects within the country programme. Through management support and technical guidance you will develop advocacy and institutional strategic network, facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education programmes/projects to improve access and learning outcomes an equitable and inclusive education, especially for children who are marginalized, disadvantaged, and excluded in society.

The Specialist contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology, as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework, this includes:

I. Programme Development and Planning:

• Support the preparation, design, and updating of the situation analysis for the education program to ensure data on education is available to support strategic policy, advocacy, interventions, and development efforts.
• Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery. Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans using results-based planning and methodology (RBM).
• Participate in strategic programme discussions for education programme planning and assist in setting priorities, strategies, design, and implementation plans for government counterparts, NGO partners, UN partners, and donors.
• Formulate, design, and prepare programme proposals ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, Country Programme, UNDAF, regional strategies, and national priorities.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes for integration and coherence of programme with other UNICEF sectors.

II. Programme Management, Monitoring, and Delivery of Results:

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual reviews with government and counterparts to establish monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports and KPIs on mandated programme, identifying lessons learned for development planning, donor, and partners.
• Actively monitor programme through field visits and surveys, exchanging information with stakeholders to assess progress and resolve issues ensuring compliance with organizational rules, regulations, and donor commitments.
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

 III. 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 of policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on education to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
• 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.

 IV. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national and subnational stakeholders, global partners, donors, and academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions on education and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

 V. Innovation, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building:

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders for sustainable education programme/projects.
• Be update related to data and trends that could enhance educational public polices for children and adolescents in the most vulnerable situation.
• Create and support tools development like digital platforms, dashboards and websites to support project managers

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

Education – An advanced university degree (Master’s) in education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management and/or research in Education (ECD, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Inclusive Education) is required.
• Experience with the development of engagement strategies in education at a national level, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives is required.
• Knowledge and experience with advocacy and public policy in unequal educational contexts at a national, state and municipality level.
• Knowledge of public policies in a developing country related to universal access to education, learning recovery, and connectivity in schools, which can be implemented on a large scale is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or international organization will be an asset.

Language – required fluency in both English and Portuguese. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable afro-descendants, indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and other minorities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.