Education Specialist (Programme / Cluster Coordinator), P4 – FT, MENARO Amman, Jordan

The Office for the Whole of Syria based within the UNICEF Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is looking to hire a devoted Education Specialist (Programme / Cluster Coordinator) to be based in Amman, Jordan.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, [insert tagline]

Strategic office context:

The Education Specialist, Programme and Cluster Coordination, works in the UNICEF MENARO and reports to both the Senior Emergency Specialist, Whole of Syria, P5 and to the Regional Adviser, Education.

Purpose for the job:

 Under the overall guidance, of the Senior Emergency Specialist and the MENARO Education Advisor, the Education Specialist Programme and Cluster Coordination will be responsible for supporting both the Whole of Syria education cluster coordination and programme design, and the development, monitoring of and support to UNICEF humanitarian response programming (education in emergencies) for the Education Sector in the MENA region. The specialist will  contribute to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programmes/project results according to the relevant work plans, budget allocations, technical support to country offices and results management approaches and methodology (RBM), UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, standards of performance and accountability framework. The post will support the education cluster work, which UNICEF co-leads (with Save the Children) and will also facilitate the process to ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate response by all education cluster members.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Management and advisory support to the Regional and Country Offices
2. Programme development and planning
3. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
4. Technical support to strengthen national and local capacity 
5. Advocacy, Resource mobilization and partnership building 
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
7. Cluster Coordination, representation and leadership

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Vacancy Announcement – Education Specialist (Programme – Cluster Coordinator), P4 [RDM24030].pdf.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An Advanced University Degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required. Or a first level (Bachelor’s) University Degree in a related field(s) with 10 years professional experience may be acceptable in lieu of an Advanced University Degree
• Work Experience: Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education at the international level, some of which is preferably in a developing country is required. Experience working in an UN system agency or UN organization is an asset. Familiarity and experience with emergency response (education in emergencies) is necessary.
  • Experience of working in the humanitarian coordination system is required.
  • A minimum of two years of experience of Education Cluster/ Sector/ Working Group coordination is desirable.
  • Experience in education programme/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset (Arabic, French).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and 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…

• (1) Builds and maintains partnerships
• (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• (3) Drive to achieve results for impact
• (4) Innovates and embraces change
• (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
• (6) Thinks and acts strategically
• (7) Works collaboratively with others 

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes[KR5] , 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 female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required [LK6] 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.