About us

Education Specialist

Job Code: UNESK
Location: Kolkata
Closing Date: 9th February, 2011

Major Duties and Responsibilities:-

Influencing Policy

Analyze and recommend policies, systems of management, resource allocation and coordination systems around education issues and programmes.

Building Partnerships

Convene strategic partnerships – among government, nongovernment, teachers’ organizations, and community based organizations to impact on overall education, to support education programmes and leverage resources in the State in the context of RTE

Interact with State, national and international agencies and commissions, on the management of education programmes/projects. Participates in meetings with Ministries/Departments responsible for programme/project review, and follows up on implementation of recommendations and agreements.

Assist in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation, with special focus on the education needs of marginalized/excluded children

Programme Planning & Implementation

Promote the quality of rights-based Education programming through participation in the formulation of programme goals, and approaches. Bring synergy and added value to sectoral or programme management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Contribute for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for project management, implementation and monitoring of assigned education activity, in compliance with the defined project strategies and approaches.

Analyze and evaluate data and/or takes corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.

Analyze and evaluate data and/or take corrective action when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.

Contribute to and enable the concurrent monitoring and reporting on performance indicators of Government flagship programmes in Education and /or UNICEF–NGO managed programmes under the Project Co-operation Agreement.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Facilitate the review of systems and capacity related to delivery of Education-related services to children and the interventions to improve such systems and capacities.

Undertake field visits to monitor programmes (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conduct periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.

Identify and recommend necessary action for programme adjustments. Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other partners in the planning and management of programme/projects.

Contribute to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, led by SPPME, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and writing relevant chapters of the Analysis.

Work plan development

Responsible for the development of the Education Rolling Work plan in the State in coordination with the Education Sector/Network, and ensures compliance with specific assigned objectives.

Provide guidance and support to subordinate staff/consultants to manage and implement projects.

Ensure convergence with Child Protection and Child Environment programmes, in terms of planning of activities, monitoring and reporting progress on IRs.

Capacity-building and technical assistance to Government 

Assist government authorities and non-government partners to plan and organize capacity-building initiatives. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of education projects.

Provide technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.

Inter-sectoral collaboration

Proactively collaborate within state and/or sector with programme colleagues, especially those in Child Protection and in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Child Environment) to ensure an integrated approach to project planning, implementation and monitoring, as well as pooling of resources for more effective programming.

Assist in the development of appropriate advocacy and communications strategies to support and/or advocate Education programme development in coordination with the Communications Officer (A&P).

Assist in the planning and formulation of Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) initiatives with regard to education to enable more effective behavior change in coordination with the Communication for Development (C4D) Officer

Support/undertake research that focuses on tracking programmes of social inclusion.

Supplies and Cash Assistance

Coordinate with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certify disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Chief of Field Office on a regular basis

Report Writing

Write education programme inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Qualifications, Experience and competencies required:

• Advanced university degree in any of the following:  Education, Social Sciences or other fields related to the work of UNICEF.
• Minimum five years progressively responsible professional work experience in social development, project administration, monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.
• In depth understanding and knowledge of Education issues and sector.
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in development cooperation, in particular pertaining to education. 
• Good understanding of the intersectoral linkages between education and child protection (e.g. child labor, child marriage) and measures to improve water, sanitation and hygiene practices in schools.
• Understanding of social mobilization and behaviour change communication.
• Understanding of the importance and role of partnerships.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Report writing.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.

Application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to devpro@pmsind.org by 9th February 2011. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the Job Code of the post and location in the subject line of your e-mail. 

Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged. These vacancies are open to Indian Nationals only.

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