Education Expert (UNICEF Accelerate)

Organizational Context

UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, translating commitments into practical action for disadvantaged children. This assignment is part of UNICEF Pacific's Education Programme (2023-2027) in Kiribati, a fragile state in the Pacific. The region faces challenges including geographic dispersion, climate change impacts, and limited resources. The programme aims to strengthen equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient education systems, focusing on foundational learning and teacher development.

Job Purpose

The Education Expert will support UNICEF Pacific's efforts in Kiribati to strengthen the national education system and improve learning outcomes, with a focus on early childhood development (ECD). This involves close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, development partners, and civil society. The role will address challenges such as geographic dispersion, overcrowding, unequal access to quality learning, and climate change impacts. The Expert will contribute to programme implementation, monitoring, and partnerships, promoting multi-sectoral integration and strengthening national capacities for education planning, data use, and equitable access to quality education within a vulnerable small island developing state context.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Chief of Field Office and Chief of Education, the Expert will support the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Education and Multi-sectoral Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes. This includes providing technical guidance and management support to achieve results in improving holistic development, learning outcomes, and equitable, inclusive education, particularly for marginalized children. The Expert will contribute to results-based management, align with UNICEF's Strategic Plans, and play a key role in donor relations and resource mobilization. The role's effectiveness in programme planning and implementation will contribute to sustainable improvements in learning outcomes and universal access to quality education and ECD.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in education programme planning, management, and research is required. This includes demonstrated experience in programme management within a results-based framework, managing multiple grants, and strong technical expertise in education system strengthening, including data systems, policy, planning, financing, and coordination. Experience in early childhood education (ECE) and ECD programming is essential. Experience with foundational learning, climate-resilient education, working with government counterparts and development partners, and in low-income or Small Island Developing State (SIDS) contexts is highly desirable.

Skills

Key competencies include nurturing and managing people, self-awareness, ethical awareness, collaboration, partnership building, innovation, strategic thinking, driving impactful results, and managing ambiguity and complexity. Strong communication, analytical, and coordination skills are essential for working effectively across multidisciplinary teams and sectors. Adaptability, resilience, and cultural awareness are crucial for navigating complex environments and building trust.

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