Programme Officer (Education), NOA, Fixed Term, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh #127948 (For Bangladeshi Nationals only)

UNICEF Bangladesh Office is seeking an experienced Programme Officer (Education) responsible for providing professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the education programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical programme information. The Education Officer facilitates the integration of HACT and grant management plans in all programming activities and ensures the application of HACT organisational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Education Programme.

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.

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For every child, education

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job: The Education Officer reports to the Education Manager for close guidance and supervision. (Level 1 is an entry professional level and should therefore be normally used as a trainee level to acquire organizational knowledge of rules, regulations, and processes to supplement academic and theoretical knowledge of the profession for upward mobility to higher responsibilities). Incumbents at this level are not expected to remain for an extended period in the post.

The Education Officer provides professional technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the education programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information. The Education Officer facilitates the integration of HACT and grant management plans in all programming activities and ensures the application of HACT organizational rules, regulations, and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Education Programme.  The position will manage two Education Programme Assistants (GS5).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme development and planning

• Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize HACT and grant management information to facilitate programme development, design, and preparation.
• Support preparation of financial and grant management technical reports and provide inputs for programme preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevancy of information.
• Contribute to the development/establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis, and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentation, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM), and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Prepare required documentation and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process and to ensure the incorporation of HACT in planning and programming processes.

2. Programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues.
• Suggest solutions for routine programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep a record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews, and annual sectoral reviews with the Education Team and Implementing Partners. Prepare minutes/reports on results for follow-up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, and donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare financial inputs for programme/donor reporting.
• Provide technical and administrative support to external service providers in the execution of HACT activities to ensure timely and efficient delivery of results.
• Assist with the maintenance of records of relevant HACT-related documentation, including Country Office decisions related to HACT.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Undertake the review of assurance activity reports of implementing partners to identify issues that need follow-up and common weaknesses in financial and procurement management and propose capacity development actions that can be supported by UNICEF. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Share with implementing partners and CO staff HACT-related reports, especially reports of assurance activities, to ensure adequate awareness and follow-up of identified issues.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes for HACT and grant management to support programme implementation, operations, and delivery of results.
• Assist with recording and updating risk ratings of implementing partners in VISION through regular review of the Vendor Master and provision of information to relevant colleagues in the CO.
• Participate in the review and updating of micro-assessment reports of implementing partners to identify common weaknesses in financial and procurement management and propose capacity development actions that can be supported by UNICEF.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of HACT information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programmes through the Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT).
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings and events to facilitate and promote sharing of information, knowledge, and best practices.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fundraising and partnership development purposes.
• Interact regularly with the Country Office on HACT to reinforce harmonization and coordination.

5. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned from HACT and grant management for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Participate in the design, planning, and implementation of capacity development strategies/initiatives for implementing partners which can be supported by UNICEF through participation in review of reports of micro assessments and assurance activities of medium-high risk partners. Support Education staff to have the required knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities related to HACT and grant management.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of IPs and other stakeholders.
• Line manages two Education Programme Assistants building their knowledge and capacities in good grant management practices and HACT.

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

Education: A first university degree (equivalent to a Bachelor’s) from an accredited institution is required in one of the following fields is required: education, development studies, business administration, economics, accounting, or another relevant technical field. 

Work Experience: 

• At least 1 year of relevant professional work experience in programme planning/management and financial management is required preferably in education. 
• The candidate must have experience in managing multi-year, institutional, donor funding (over USD 25 million per annum). 
• Knowledge of UNICEF HACT systems is an advantage.
• Experience working in an emergency context is considered an asset, particularly in the Rohingya response.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Bangla is required.

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, breastfeeding breaks, 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 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.