Senior Adviser (Policy, Gender Equality and Education)
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development in a passionate and inclusive culture.
Job Purpose
The Senior Policy Adviser (Gender Equality and Education) will provide global leadership and strategic advisory to strengthen education systems and improve learning outcomes, with a focus on adolescent girls. This role supports innovation, normative guidance, and cross-sectoral integration to advance inclusive, quality education aligned with UNICEF's Strategic Plan. The adviser will focus on policy shifts, special measures for gender-equitable education systems, and ensuring girls' access to quality education, skills for life, and financial literacy, enabling their transition to employability. The position aims to address the significant barriers faced by girls, particularly in low-income, conflict-affected, rural, and indigenous communities, exacerbated by crises like COVID-19 and climate change.
Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Director of CoE Education, the Senior Policy Adviser will provide policy advisory support on partnerships, resource mobilization, public sector financing, evidence generation, and programmatic benchmarks for advancing gender equality in education, with a focus on adolescent girls' needs. This includes integrating gender equity across early childhood education, foundational learning, and out-of-school children initiatives. Reporting to the Associate Director, Gender Equality, GPD, the adviser will lead and support country and regional offices in advancing institutional priorities. This involves conducting quality gender analyses, influencing Country Programme Documents, supporting gender equality expenditure and benchmarking, and coordinating gender equality efforts with relevant sectors and teams to ensure comprehensive integration of gender equality principles across UNICEF's educational programming and policy advocacy.
Work Experience
A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in education policy, gender equality, and programme management, with a significant focus on adolescent girls' education. Experience in international development or humanitarian contexts is desirable.
Skills
Policy analysis and development, Gender equality programming, Education systems strengthening, Adolescent girls' education, Partnership development, Resource mobilization, Public sector financing, Evidence generation and analysis, Programmatic benchmarking, Cross-sectoral coordination, Communication and advocacy, Project management