Careers at UNICEF

Education Officer

Job Code-106
Location: Raipur 
Closing Date: 30th December 2009 

Purpose of the post:

Under the overall supervision of Chief, Field Office, with technical/programming guidance provided by Chief, Education, ICO, provides support to the State Government for planning, implementation and monitoring of education programme, with a special focus on children and women from disadvantaged groups of the community, through innovative, systematic programming and advocacy, in the state. The post is an integral part of the Education Network and contributes to the Education Sectoral work for ICO.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:-

1. Be aware of the problems of children and women in the concerned states and of educational opportunities available to them. Also, be aware of the Government of India and UNICEF policies in this regard.  Ensure roll-out of ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act’ (RTE) in the State.

2. Support and provide assistance to government officials from the education and other relevant line ministries/partners in the planning and management of Education/ project in the respective states in convergence with other relevant Sectors.

3. Establish and maintain regular contacts with Government, teachers’ organizations, and NGO programme implementors/Alliances at state and district levels. Undertake field visits to UNICEF project sites, assess local conditions and resources, monitor inputs; conduct periodic programme review.

4. Collaborate with state, district, Panchayat and Municipal Authorities and programme colleagues in the UNICEF Field Office in (i) programme development,(ii) formulation of plans of action and implementation of activities and (iii)setting up monitoring systems of projects underway. Represent UNICEF at meetings and workshops. 

5. Advocate and identify approaches/models for quality Elementary Education as mandated by the RTE Act and socially inclusive Education for All strategies with a special focus on the hardest to reach children (e.g. girls, SC/ST children, children with special needs, working children)  

6. Assist in identification and selection of timely supply and non-supply assistance activities, disbursement of funds to state/ district level agencies and improve their capacity to extend quality inputs under primary/elementary education and provide support to area-specific interventions through community involvement at all stages of programme development.

7. Provide support for training needs assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring of training, awareness building and social mobilization activities under Education programmes.  Help in the collection and analysis of data for the Situation Analysis and drafting chapters of the Analysis relating to the Education sector, programme planning, management, and monitoring and evaluation purposes. 

8. Support the Chief of Field Office and draft relevant sections of reports (required for donors, management, Annual Reports, etc). Ensure the accurate and timely input of programme information data in the required formats. Periodically evaluate impact of UNICEF inputs under Education. 

9.  Keep the Supervisor informed of the problems of women and children in the assigned state particularly in districts affected by civil strife and of the services available to them with particular reference to education statistics.

 10. Prepare project workplan, carry out requisitions on line in ProMS as well as prepare periodic management reports on the project for review and decisions.

Qualifications, Experience and competencies required:

• University degree in Education/Social Sciences.  Development studies and Interdisciplinary training in social sciences an asset.
• At least two years progressively responsible professional work experience in education and social development programmes, project administration, monitoring and evaluation.  Experience working with national/state government involved in education desirable. 
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English and working knowledge of Hindi.  Working knowledge of local language/of the duty station an asset
• Current knowledge of development issues, policies, as well as social programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation in the relevant area.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programes as well as to transfer knowledge and skills.
• Managerial, analytical, negotiating, communication, advocacy and training skills
• Drive for results
• Knowledge and use of information technology, word processing, graphics presentations etc. as well as management Information Systems and databases.  Knowledge and training on use of work planning tools an asset.
• Planning and monitoring skills; ability to organize work and projects.
• Ability to work harmoniously in an international and multicultural environment.

Candidates meeting the above requirements may send their application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV by e-mail to nonprofitjobs@abcconsultants.net before 30th December 2009.

In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the Job Code of the post (106) and location in the subject line of your e-mail/application.

Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. This vacancy is open to Indian Nationals only.

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.