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For every child, Education
With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.
How can you make a difference?
Background
Papua New Guinea has made notable progress in expanding access to education over recent decades, with more children enrolling in school across the country. However, the sector continues to face persistent challenges that affect retention, completion, transition, and learning outcomes. Net enrolment in 2019 was 85 per cent for elementary, 58 per cent for primary, and 20 per cent for secondary levels. Only 64 per cent of students successfully transitioned from the final grade of primary school to the first grade of secondary school.
Many children begin their education late, and repetition remains common. Gender disparities also widen as children progress through the system, with the gender parity ratio falling from 101 girls per 100 boys in preschool and elementary to 96 in primary and 75 in secondary. Learning outcomes remain a concern, with national assessments in 2021 showing that 34 per cent of Grade 5 students did not meet minimum reading proficiency, while 27 per cent did not meet minimum numeracy proficiency.
Within the UNICEF PNG Country Programme for 2024 to 2028, the overarching goal of the Education Programme is to ensure that increased numbers of school age children, especially adolescent girls, children with disabilities, and children affected by crises and disasters, attain foundational learning and progress through secondary education or vocational pathways. The programme also aims to support learners to gain essential life and work skills for meaningful participation in society.
Purpose of Activity/Assignment
UNICEF Papua New Guinea promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
UNICEF Papua New Guinea Country Office regularly produces high-quality written materials (reports, flyers, 1–2-pagers, etc.) that document key issues related to children’s rights and ongoing programmes and activities. Building on this work, UNICEF in Papua New Guinea seeks to strengthen and further shape its written content to better engage existing and new audiences on issues affecting children’s situation and to more effectively support its advocacy priorities.
To meet ongoing needs, UNICEF is updating its roster of writers and editors and invites qualified candidates to express their interest in being included on the roster.
The roster will serve as a human resources repository from which UNICEF Papua New Guinea can quickly draw pre-vetted, qualified specialists for assignments.
Scope of Work
UNICEF Papua New Guinea invites qualified candidates to express their interest in being included in the roster of writers and editors. For the scope of this assignment, the incumbent is required to edit written content, and research and produce high-quality written content, including reports, articles, 1-2 pagers, brochures, case studies, fact sheets and other products that relate to UNICEF’s programme and advocacy work in Papua New Guinea.
The incumbents will work closely with UNICEF Papua New Guinea’s Advocacy and Communication Team to ensure that the services provided align with UNICEF’s branding standards and guidelines, as well as child safeguarding principles.
The selected specialists do not require to travel to gather multimedia content as these will be managed by UNICEF Papua New Guinea.
Key responsibilities of the incumbents include:
- Research and write a wide range of content, including reports, articles, 1-2 pagers, brochures, case studies, fact sheets and other products to engage audiences in child rights and UNICEF’s work for children.
- Edit and proofread a variety of written materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, clarity, and adherence to UNICEF's guidelines and standards.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Work Experience:
At least 5 years’ experience, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
Proficiency in MS Office software for editing and writing
Desirables:
- Able to conduct research and fact-checking to ensure the accuracy and credibility of information presented in written content.
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues to develop compelling narratives.
- Sensitivity to cultural diversity and the ability to connect with subjects to capture genuine moments.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Knowledge of child rights and development issues is an advantage.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and multicultural environment.
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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
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.
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.
