Education Specialist (NO-3), FT, #10661, Patna, India - APR (for nationals of India only)
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The Education Specialist will report to the Chief of Field Office, with technical guidance from the Chief of Education in the India Country Office. The primary purpose of this role is to support the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UNICEF’s education programme. A key focus will be on improving learning outcomes and advancing equitable and inclusive education for the most disadvantaged children. The specialist will collaborate closely with government and partners to strengthen education systems, translate evidence into policy dialogue and advocacy, and build strategic partnerships to achieve sustainable results at scale. This role also involves advancing UNICEF’s 3Cs for Every Child (Convene, Converge, Catalyze) by fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and shaping education priorities through evidence, collaboration, and influence.
Responsibilities
Key functions and accountabilities include supporting programme development and planning, ensuring effective programme management, monitoring, and delivery of results. The role requires providing technical and operational support for programme implementation, fostering networking and partnership building with government and other stakeholders. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building are also crucial aspects of this position. The Education Specialist will be responsible for translating education analytical evidence into policy dialogue, policy advocacy, and knowledge products for governments and partners. This includes drafting high-quality education analytical papers, policy briefs, programme documents, reports, and donor proposals. The role also involves influencing and advocating effectively on education priorities with senior levels of government and working on convergent approaches across sectors like Social Policy, Child Protection, Nutrition, Health, and WASH. Experience in leveraging partnerships and financing for scaling programmes and working in country-level development, fragile, or humanitarian contexts is also expected.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in education planning, management, and/or research using results-based management approaches is required. Experience in translating education analytical evidence into policy dialogue, policy advocacy, and knowledge products is essential. Proven experience in drafting high-quality education analytical papers, policy briefs, programme documents, reports, and donor proposals is also required. Experience influencing government at senior levels and working on convergent approaches is necessary.
Skills
Programme Development, Programme Planning, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Policy Dialogue, Advocacy, Partnership Building, Knowledge Management, Capacity Building, Results-Based Management, Data Analysis, Report Writing