Technical Support to Education and ECD Programme in Republic of Marshall Islands
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, 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 consultant will provide dedicated technical, logistical, coordination, monitoring, and reporting support to the Public School System (PSS)–UNICEF partnership in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). This role is crucial for the effective implementation of UNICEF's expanding education and early childhood development (ECD) portfolio. The consultant will support PSS leadership and relevant focal officers to ensure coherent implementation of agreed activities, timely follow-up on deliverables, and effective coordination with UNICEF, the Office of the Chief Secretary (OCS), and other partners. The aim is to strengthen programme delivery by supporting implementation planning, identifying and addressing bottlenecks, building synergies across related initiatives, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and ensuring alignment with government priorities and PSS planning processes. The assignment will also provide technical monitoring and reporting support to the UNICEF North Pacific Office for education and ECD-related activities.
Responsibilities
Provide technical, logistical, coordination, monitoring, and reporting support to the PSS–UNICEF partnership in RMI. Support PSS leadership and focal officers in the coherent implementation of agreed activities and timely follow-up on deliverables. Ensure effective coordination between PSS, UNICEF, OCS, and other relevant partners. Systematically track progress, challenges, risks, and results of education and ECD programmes. Assist in strengthening programme delivery by supporting implementation planning and identifying/addressing bottlenecks. Build synergies across related initiatives and facilitate stakeholder engagement. Ensure programme activities align with broader government priorities and PSS planning processes. Provide technical monitoring and reporting support to the UNICEF North Pacific Office for education and ECD-related activities with PSS, OCS, and other partners. Support the implementation of key initiatives such as the GPE System Transformation Grant (Rebbelib Programme), GPE System Capacity Grant, Head Start Programme preparation, RENEW solarization project, and multi-sectoral ECD support. Contribute to strengthening education sector capacity through improved planning, human resource management, and evidence generation.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and/or management. Experience supporting education, early childhood development, social sector programming, or related development programmes is required. Experience working with government institutions, development partners, and/or multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms is required.
Skills
Strong programme coordination, planning, and implementation support skills, Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, Ability to work effectively with government counterparts, UNICEF teams, consultants, and partners, Demonstrated ability to monitor programme progress, Ability to consolidate information from multiple stakeholders, Ability to identify risks and bottlenecks, Ability to propose practical solutions, Good understanding of education systems, Good understanding of sector planning, Good understanding of programme implementation, Good understanding of early childhood development, Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility, and ability to work independently