Education Specialist - Strategic Planning and Reporting

Organizational Context

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency established in 1949 to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza. UNRWA's mission is to help refugees achieve their full potential in human development until a just solution is found. The agency offers services in education, health, relief, social services, and more, funded primarily by voluntary contributions. The operating environment is conflict-affected and resource-constrained.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNRWA's Education Department at HQ Amman in its mission to provide quality education to over 500,000 Palestine refugee students. The assignment focuses on advancing the agency's education strategy and modernization agenda, which prioritizes data-driven decision-making, digital transformation, and efficient resource allocation to enhance access, quality, and equity. The Educational Planner will play a key role in managing education services, contributing to strategic planning, financial simulations, EMIS development, and policy evaluation. This position is crucial for addressing both emergency and ongoing development needs within a challenging context.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer will support strategic education planning and policy development, including revising and implementing the multi-year education strategy and workplans, ensuring alignment with SDG 4 and UNESCO/IIEP guidelines. This involves preparing financial simulations for staffing and investments, developing cost-effective financial strategies, and contributing to agency-wide strategies. The role includes supporting annual class formation and school mapping processes, coordinating with field offices on norms and standards, and aiding in the modernization of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) with digital tools. Additionally, the volunteer will oversee monitoring and evaluation frameworks, track progress on education indicators, assess policy impacts, and prepare performance reports. Capacity building and technical assistance to HQ and field staff, developing planning tools, and fostering partnerships are also key responsibilities, promoting new technologies and data-driven decision-making.

Work Experience

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required. This includes proven experience in school mapping/class formation, education financing, or EMIS development. Demonstrated experience in education planning, policy analysis, or large-scale program implementation, preferably within an international organization or ministry, is essential. Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, proficiency in Excel or planning software, and knowledge of international education frameworks like SDG 4 are necessary. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and writing policy reports is also required. Desirable experience includes education emergency response planning and familiarity with refugee education systems.

Skills

Key competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Judgement and Decision-making, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Technological Awareness, and Working in Teams. Expertise in Economics and Finance, and Education is essential. Proficiency in English at a fluent level is required.

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