UNHCR: Associate Education Officer – N’Djamena

Organization Mission

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org)

Context

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

The Associate Education Officer will support the roll-out of Refugee Education 2030, the Refugee Education Strategy, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees, which calls on States and relevant Stakeholders to contribute resources and expertise to expand and enhance the quality and inclusiveness of national education systems to facilitate access by refugee and host community children and youth to primary, secondary and tertiary education. Providing inclusive and equitable quality education is central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Associate Education Officer will ensure UNHCR’s programming is in line with the SDGs.
Leveraging the growing global momentum, UNHCR is working to translate the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) into impactful results. Contributing to this global roll-out of the GCR, the Associate Education Officer, in collaboration with the Education Section in the Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS), will :
1. Promote equitable and sustainable inclusion in national education systems for refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, stateless and internally displaced persons
2. Foster safe enabling environments that support learning
3. Enable learners to use their education toward sustainable futures

The incumbent will act as a focal point for education in the area of responsibility (AoR) and, under the leadership of the supervising officer(s), support UNHCR’s work regarding education and advocacy on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions. S/he normally works under the direct supervision of the Education Officer or Protection Officer and overall supervision of the Deputy Representative (Protection), depending on the office context. Under the general direction of the supervising officer(s), s/he will support the implementation of global level policies, including the UNHCR Education Strategy.

The Associate Education Officer may assist in liaising with the Ministry of Education and with education coordination networks at national, provincial and district levels to improve the quality of refugee education. S/he will liaise with partners to assess the education context, to develop an implementation plan and to monitor the programme and assess impact. s/he will work in collaboration with in-country education partners to improve access to, and quality of, refugee education at all levels, both formal and non-formal and may liaise with partners for joint support for education access for refugee and host community children. S/he will develop innovative education approaches for emerging needs in refugee education, including attention to special needs, minorities, girls, pre-school education and non-formal activities. S/he will facilitate inter-sectoral linkages with programmatic areas including child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Associate Education Officer will:

• Stay abreast of political, social, economic, and cultural developments that have an impact on access to and quality of education.
• Actively pursue opportunities to promote refugee inclusion into national education systems.
• Coordinate with relevant partners to support access to education for refugees and also host communities.
• Conduct regular needs assessments to inform and adjust the education response and advocacy efforts.
• Monitor implementing partner(s)’ performance and propose adjustments where needed.
• Collaborate with Supply and Shelter colleagues to uphold construction standards.
• Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to education for persons of concern (PoC).
• Coordinate with partners and other actors in education to implement the Refugee Education Strategy 2030 for Chad.
• Collaborate closely with partners to ensure coherent annual planning based on a longer-term strategy, and jointly monitor and assess implementation, and provide advice on programme reorientation where necessary.
• Provide technical advice and guidance on education issues; assist in liaising with competent authorities to ensure the issuance and recognition of education-relevant documentation.
• Assess needs for services of PoC, as related to education, and coordinate partners’ responses if required.
• Systematically promote and comply with the Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and other priorities such as the guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
• Assist in advocating with authorities for respect of the right of PoC to an education and for their access to education services.
• Coordinate with education networks to ensure that refugee education interests are understood and included in relevant policies and initiatives.
• Participate in humanitarian and development sector working groups to support and ensure all refugee education support programming at the country level is extended, amplified, and reported against sector development goals; humanitarian partners and funding serve system strengthening.
• Assist the Country Office(s) to elaborate and implement strategies to address issues related to education access, quality, and data, in cooperation with other UN agencies (UNICEF, UNESCO, WFP, etc.) and other key education stakeholders.
• Undertake direct dialogue with Country Office(s) on the implementation of education programmes in line with strategic directions, integrated with SDG4 and Education Sector Plans, including with Ministries of Education/Higher Education, education partners, and coordination networks (Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), and Local Education Groups, etc.).
• Foster and ensure inter-sectoral linkages and coordination with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion, and health, among others, and provide specialist advice for other sectors to ensure that they fully integrate education-related concerns in their planning.
• Support and monitor the implementation of Global Refugee Forum pledges within the AoR.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of UNHCR’s role concerning education, representation of UNHCR at national consultations, and representation of UNHCR’s education strategy and policy to other UN bodies, NGOs, interlocutors, institutions and organisations within the AoR.
• Ensure active exchange of information and that best practices are identified, documented, and disseminated both within the AoR and beyond.
• Join joint assessment missions in emergencies to minimise the time refugee children and youth spend out of education (ideally a maximum of three months after arrival).
• Prepare the drafting of education input in key internal and external documents and reports.
• Support the country education information management strategy through the collection of disaggregated data on PoC and ensure the collection and dissemination of education information and best practices to enhance education delivery.
• Identify and support initiatives to build the capacity of communities and PoC to assert their right to education and access to quality education.
• Oversee and ensure the effective management and smooth operation of Iridimi’s Digital Learning Center (DLC).
• Advocate for the establishment and implementation of additional DLCs across Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est.
• Promote and participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions, and NGOs to strengthen access to quality, certified education for refugees.
• Contribute to a communications strategy that generates external support for UNHCR’s education activities and the education rights of PoC.
• Make recommendations on individual education-related cases.
• Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of education services.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Required Skills and Experience

Essential
• Demonstrated work experience in progressively responsible functions in education.
• Field experience in education programme implementation and coordination in humanitarian and/or development contexts.
• Experience working with Governments, Ministries of Education and other line ministries.
• Strong interpersonal skills in collaboration and coordination.
• Excellent analytical and drafting skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Desirable:
• Well conversant with education data collation, analysis, and use for planning, monitoring, and reporting purposes.
• Knowledge of international frameworks, standards, and policies in education.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

Candidates applying to positions in Chad should be prepared to work under challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. All the duty stations in Chad are classified E, except N’Djamena which is at D. The RR cycle in Iriba is 8 weeks as well as in other duty stations except Bagasola and Bol which is 6 weeks
Iriba is located in the Wadi Fira province. The office coverts Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces which are facing serious humanitarian challenges due to the massive influx of Sudanese refugees and returning Chadian nationals. This demographic pressure has led to overcrowding in refugee camps, heightening tensions and contributing to security incidents. During the rainy season, access to certain areas becomes difficult or even impossible due to flooding.
From a security standpoint, Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est host a wide range of defense and law enforcement entities, including the military, gendarmerie, national and nomadic guards, police, customs, the National Security Agency (ANS), and environmental protection officers.
In Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces, although the situation is relatively stable, the area hosts over 468,254 Sudanese refugees. Overcrowding and limited resources place significant strain on local infrastructure. While security is currently stable, due to incidents of criminality, UNHCR staff are advised against walking alone in the streets, staying out late at night, or visiting public places unaccompanied. Staff are regularly reminded to strictly adhere to all security protocols.
Specific security measures must be observed. In addition to the mandatory security briefing provided upon arrival in N’Djamena—which includes location-specific guidance—all UN personnel are required to complete the BSAFE online training. According to road classifications, all intercity travel within the SRM East zone must be conducted with armed escort and is subject to approved security clearance via TRIP.
Unless exceptionally authorized, all road movements between cities must begin after 6:00 a.m. and be completed by 6:00 p.m. In Abéché, UNSMS vehicle movements are permitted only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., while in Farchana, Hadjer Hadid, Goz Beida, Iriba, Amdjarass, and Guereda, such movements are restricted to the hours between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Accessibility
Air Access: The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) facilitates access to remote areas, which is essential for staff rotations and logistical operations.
Road Access: Iriba is accessible by land; however, the journey is challenging due to poor road conditions, especially during the rainy season when certain routes become impassable. In the absence of reliable air transport, road travel remains the primary means of access for humanitarian operations.

Climate Conditions: The Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces experience significant climate variability, alternating between droughts, floods, and desertification. These conditions severely impact soil quality and agricultural activities. Iriba is also affected by these climate extremes, disrupting access to essential services and worsening water scarcity. Conditions de vie et culture locale

Lifestyle: Modest clothing is expected, in line with local cultural and religious norms. Alcohol consumption is rare and often frowned upon. Respect for local customs is essential, especially in interactions between refugees and host communities.

Cost of Living: the influx of refugees and climate-related shocks have led to an increase in the cost of living. Basic necessities are scarce, and their prices rise significantly during times of crisis. Refugees largely depend on humanitarian aid to meet their daily needs.

Accommodation: Finding suitable housing in Iriba/Wadi Fira remains a challenge. Therefore, UNHCR manages guesthouses and facilitates accommodation for its staff.