Education Specialist (System Strengthening Specialist)

VACANCY NOTICE: VTN/2015/005 06 March 2015
Post Title : Education Specialist (System Strengthening Specialist)
Grade of Post : NO-C
Contract Type : National, Fixed-Term Appointment
Location : Ha Noi
Submission Closing Date : 19 March 2015 at 18:00 hours.

I. Summary of the Post:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Education Section Chief, responsible for managing the design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the Education System Strengthening Project, with focus on education management, Early Childhood Development (ECD), climate change and emergencies, and private sector partnerships to strengthen the education system to realize equity in education, and ensuring convergence and coherence of education interventions in UNICEF’s selected provinces in the South.

II. Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Programme Planning, Development and Management (15%)

Ensure the availability of updated data and information and sectoral analysis concerning education management, especially education financing, decentralization, data, planning, monitoring and evaluation, education, ECD and climate change and emergencies, and private sector partnerships in education, in order to plan, develop and manage the Education System Strengthening project of the Education Programme. Ensure convergence and coherence of education interventions in UNICEF focus selected provinces in the South (Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Dong Thap, and Ninh Thuan) / Mekong River Region, including support to provincial education sector planning with focus on education equity and improving efficiency of resource utilization for education.

2. Knowledge Management (10%)

Promote knowledge generation and management on education management, ECD, climate change and emergencies, and private sector partnerships in the education sector, by managing the documentation, analysis and circulation of best practices and experiences, as well as sharing international experiences and lessons learnt with Government authorities, development partners and other partners. Promote innovative data collection and systematic use of data, information and knowledge to inform curriculum and improve care, pre-learning, and basic education planning and assessment at national and sub-national level through capacity building to Government authorities and other partners.

3. Rights-Based Projects through Results-Based Approach (15%)

Promote the right-based programming, monitoring and evaluation to focus on education for most disadvantaged children through results-based approach focusing on strengthening Government capacities on education planning, monitoring and evaluation at national and sub-national levels, increasing efficiency of resource allocation and utilization in education, strengthening partnerships with Government, non-governmental authorities, and development partners to promote rights-based approach, and raising awareness of concerned stakeholders for compliance with international treaties on rights. Address the education right of urban poor and migrant children, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. Assist Government at the national and sub-national levels to address climate change and emergencies in education. Monitor private schools operation and their compliance with government regulations to ensure fulfillment of the right of the child in private schools.

4. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring (20%)

Take responsibility for the development, implementation and monitoring of the System Strengthening component of the Education programme in compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches. Ensure development, implementation and monitoring of strategies and strategic interventions to address education management, ECD, climate change and emergencies, and private sector partnerships in education, at the national and sub-national levels. Ensure convergence and coherence of education interventions in UNICEF focus selected provinces in south (Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Dong Thap, and Ninh Thuan), including support to provincial education sector planning and budgeting with focus on education equity and improving efficiency of resource utilization for education.

5. Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting (15%)

Ensure efficiency and delivery of the Education System Strengthening component of the Education Programme, through a rigorous and transparent approach to assessment and evaluation, with an emphasis on education management, ECD, climate change and emergencies, and private sector partnerships in education. Participate in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation inputs for annual and mid-year Education sector status and donor reports.

6. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals (15%)

Promote UNICEF’s focus on equity in education through emphasizing most disadvantaged children in education planning of Government and policy review and legal development, particularly focusing on young children in care and preschools, migration and urban poor children, children affected by climate change and emergencies, and children in poor quality private schools that are least monitored. Support sensitization of Government, NGOs, UN, bilateral agencies, private sector and media to understand and support UNICEF goals for greater results for children.

7. UNICEF and Government Accountability (5%)

Coordinate with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities related to the Education System Strengthening project of the Education Programme, ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursement of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

8. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnerships (5%)

• Ensure the effective communication, collaboration, networking and partnerships.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor programmes and collect information.
• Conduct periodic reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.
• Collaborate with Communication and Communication for Development groups to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
• Collaborate with the Operations and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of the Education projects planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requires as well as to ensure accountability.
• Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different states of Education programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations.

III. Qualifications:

1. Education

  • Advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas:
  • Education or Social Sciences relevant to international development assistance.

2. Work Experience

  • Five years of progressively professional work experience at national and international levels in field programmes relevant to Education programmes, including a minimum of two years’ experience in national level education development assistance.
  • Experience education management and decentralization.
  • Experience on climate change and emergencies in education.
  • Experience on planning, monitoring and evaluation in education.
  • Experience on planning, monitoring and evaluation in Early Childhood Care and Education will be and asset.

3. Language Proficiency [ ]

  • Fluency in English and Vietnamese.

4. Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)

i) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [ II ]
• Working with People [ II ]
• Drive for Results [ II ]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Leading and Supervising [ I ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ]
• Analyzing [ III]
• Relating and Networking [ II ]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [ II ]
• Applying Technical Expertise [ III ]

iv) Technical Knowledge * [ II ]

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required [ II ]

• Advanced knowledge of education management, especially related to education data, financing, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and decentralization
• Advanced knowledge on education and climate change and emergencies
• Advanced knowledge on private sector partnerships in education
• Gender and diversity awareness

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group) [ II ]

Knowledge of theories and practices in:

• Programme/project management in Education
• Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Training and Capacity Development in Education

If you have got experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, please send via email (applications in hard copy are not accepted) detailed P11 form (UN Personal History Form)/resume, letter of interest/motivation (in English) and scans of relevant degrees to:

E-mail: [email protected]
Attention: Human Resources Specialist

Please clearly mention the post you apply for in your email.

The deadline to receive applications is 19 March 2015 at 18:00 hours.

Only short-listed candidates will be called for test/interview. Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

----

*: Reference to UNICEF and/or UN in terms of technical knowledge requirements (a and b above) are applicable only to those who are or have been the staff members of UNICEF or the UN common system.

Job Details
Organisation Name: 
UNICEF Vietnam
Application Deadline: 
Thu, 2015-03-19