Education Specialist NOC- Temporary Appointment (Re-Advertised)

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Chief of Education, the Education Specialist (Early Childhood Education) technically contributes to the strengthening of quality ECE in Jordan.

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For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position:

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Chief of Education, the Education Specialist (Early Childhood Education) technically contributes to the strengthening of quality ECE in Jordan. The Specialist provides technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of ECE programming to facilitate the delivery of results on strengthening national ECE systems to improve learning outcomes and to promote universal access to and equitable and inclusive early childhood education, especially for children who are marginalised, disadvantaged and excluded in society.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/projects results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key Accountabilities and Duties and Tasks:

1. ECE technical support to the Chief

• Provide ECE technical support to the Chief of Education establishing the annual work plan including developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements. Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report to Chief of Education critical ECE issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues in the Education Section on all aspects of ECE programming and implementation to enable colleagues to integrate ECE program/performance objectives into the overall Education programme.

2. ECE Program development and planning

• Plan and/or provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of ECE situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence-based data on ECE issues are available to guide UNICEF's strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on ECE and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
• Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities on ECE to enhance program management and delivery.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of ECE programs/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for ECE, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF's Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for ECE using results-based planning terminology and methodology. Prepare required documentations for ECE program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss ECE strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide ECE technical and operational support throughout all stages of ECE programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

3. ECE program management, monitoring and quality control of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in ECE programs.
• Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses ECE in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Monitor ECE programs/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, monitor and control the use of ECE program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit/prepare ECE program/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on program progress and critical issues.

4. ECE technical support to partners

• Provide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on ECE policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on education and other related issues to support program development planning, implementation and delivery of results.
• Coordinate/ensure the availability of ECE technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.
• Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for combating poverty and all forms of discrimination against women/children by advising on and advocating strategies and approaches to promote universal KG2 access to and equitable and inclusive education for children in the country.
• Prepare ECE policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and consideration.
• Participate in country discussions on ECE programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate ECE response are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations.

5. ECE Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organization, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on education.
• Prepare ECE communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF and Country Office education programmes and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions and planning on ECE to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the wider UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

6. ECE Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable ECE programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical support services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting edge practices on ECE. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of ECE policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
• Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on ECE programs/projects.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Early Childhood Development (ECD), Early Education, Education, Social Development, Social Sciences or related disciplines from a reputable UN-recognized university.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of ECD, ECE, early grade education, community development and/or related fields is required.
• Demonstrated experience in design, planning, capacity building of ECE-related programme is highly desirable.  
• Advanced technical knowledge of ECE, including knowledge of international trends and research relating to ECE is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with government officials at multiple levels and experience of working with national government ministries, government donor and UN agencies is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, negotiation and facilitation skills is required.

Competencies of Successful Candidate:

Core Values

• Commitment      
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies

• Communication [ II ]           
• Working with People [ III ]        
• Drive for Results [ III ]

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing  [ II ]        
• Applying Technical Expertise   [ III ]                          
• Formulating strategies/concepts   [ III ]                                              
• Persuading and influencing  [ II ]

Technical Knowledge  

• ECD/E programme design and planning 
• National capacity development                           
• Development of strategies, standards, research, M&E and governance and   
• financing ECD/E programme         
• National capacity development                                  
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address Early Childhood Development and
• Early Childhood Education

 

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.