UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Education

To learn more about UNICEF career and the work in Rwanda, please visit our website.

 https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ and UNICEF Careers | UNICEF Careers.

How can you make a difference? 

In 2020, UNICEF Rwanda was designated by the Ministry of Education as grant agent for the Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant (ESSPIG), funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The USD 30.8 million grant was provided to support implementation of the education sector strategic plan 2018-2024. As the grant agent, UNICEF is responsible for ensuring the GPE funds are used to support high-quality implementation in accordance with the:

• Programmes goals and objectives approved by GPE,
• Applicable GPE policies and guidelines,
• Financial procedures agreement and UNICEF policies and procedures.

An Education Specialist (NO3), fixed term position was created in 2021 to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education to ensure timely implementation, effective monitoring and reporting of the programme results. The ESPIG programme was successfully implemented, and the key results were achieved, strategically positioning Rwanda to access further support from the GPE.

In 2023, UNICEF was further selected as the grant agent for two new GPE grants of about USD 34 million, namely the system transformation grants that is valid until 30 June 2028 and system capacity grant that ends in December 2025. The Education Specialist (NO3) position continued to be embedded in the Ministry of Education to provide the required technical support. However, the post became vacant when the incumbent was appointed to a key position in the government.

The position is critical for ensuring quality implementation of the system transformation and system capacity grants. In addition, the Education Specialist provides strategic support to the Ministry of Education on evidence informed planning and education sector coordination. However, the position became vacant in January 2025 following the appointment of the incumbent to a senior government position.

The Education Specialist position is required on temporary appointment, to continue technical support to the Ministry of Education on planning, monitoring and reporting of results with a focus on programmes funded by the GPE. The incumbent will also support planning and implementation of key interventions under the national foundational learning strategy, including remedial education, and inclusion of children with disability.

Under the direct supervision of Chief Education, the Education Specialist will work with the Education Section team and government partners, most notably the Ministry of Education and Rwanda Basic Education Board, that leads implementation of GPE funded programmes.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities 

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in education, economics, psychology, sociology, or related social sciences.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Experience working with national level government stakeholders and a wide range of development partners is desirable.
• Experience in a UN system agency or organization, including supporting GPE programmes is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of Kinyarwanda and French will be considered as an asset.

Desirables:

• Knowledge of global developments in education and international engagement strategies, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming.
• Ability to translate analytical findings and evidence into development programme and policy discussions around equity and learning with partners, including government, development partners, CSOs and academia in relevant areas.
• Education policy and sector capacity analysis, including understanding of the core education data sets and indicators; tools for analysis of equity; determinants of student access and learning; budget, costing, and financial management in education systems; political economy; education policy and strategic planning.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Young Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.