Readvertisement: Education Specialist (Cluster Coordinator), P3, Niamey Niger #114582 (Temporary)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, education.

Niger is amongst the poorest countries in the world, impacted by conflicts (the Lack Chad Basin Crises, violence from non-State Armed Groups on the Malian border), migration, flooding and food shortages. According to the 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan, 3.7 million people are in need of assistance (including those impacted by COVID19).

Over 50% of children in Niger are out of school; of those that are in school, less than 10% acquire the basic literacy and numeracy competency by the end of the primary cycle. The ministries of Education, under the leadership of the Ministry for Primary Education, have recently validated a new Education Sector Vulnerability and Risk Reduction Strategy, which provides guidance on how to ensure access to a safe, quality learning environment in times of crises.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief Education, the Education Cluster Coordinator is responsible for giving technical assistance and support to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions in the education sector. In particular, the Cluster Coordinator is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the Education Cluster, a forum in which different partners work together to support the Nigerien education system in current and future emergencies and strengthening the system-wide preparedness and technical capacity to respond in a timely, cohesive manner. 

The Cluster is co-lead by UNICEF and Save the Children together with the Ministry of Primary Education, which also holds the presidency of the Local Education Partners Group (GPLE).

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

• Support the coordination of humanitarian partners in the education sector through the Education Cluster ;
• Supporting program management, monitoring and delivery of results, including through strengthening the information management system and the collection and use of data (including the Humanitrian Needs Overview/Humanitarian Needs Plan (HNO/HRP)) ;
• Provide technical and operational support to program implementation, with attention to the Nation Strategy to Reduce Risks and Vulnerabilities in the Education Sector, its implementation and monitoring ;
• Facilitate discussion and agreement on the use of common standards and tools among Cluster partners to conduct rapid and in-depth needs assessments ;
• Coordinate work with and reporting to donors, including Education Cannot Wait ;
• Organize and support capacity building initiatives for partners and national stakeholders on Education in Emergencies (EiE) related activities ;
• Contribute to identifying, capturing, synthesizing and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders ;
• Support the Humanitarian-Development Nexus and ensure continuity between the two approaches ;
• Advocate for continued access to education in humanitarian situations, including for sufficient resources (financial and human), with Government and donors for emergency preparedness and response ;
• Promote comprehensive integration of relevant cross-cutting issues (gender and environment) and effective collaboration response with colleague and partners in Child Protection, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Health amongst others for needs assessments, analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced University Degree (Masters) in education, or other relevant field is required ;
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field for Education, at the international and/or in a developing country is required ;
• Demonstrated professional technical expertise in education in emergencies, early recovery and post-crisis transition ;
• In depth understanding of training the concept and trainings related to EiE, the international humanitarian architecture, coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action ;
• Excellent advocacy, teamworking and teambuilding skills ;
• Relevant experience in education and related following areas, program/project management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset ;
• Fluency in French and proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Values (CRITA):

• Care ;
• Respect ;
• Integrity ;
• Trust ;
• Accountability.

Core Competencies:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

The functional competencies required for this post are…

• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and Initiating action (2)
• Applying technical expertise (3)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.