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

Background and Strategic Context 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is implementing as a key partner for EU. Under the direct Supervision of the Education Manager (Level 4), the function is required to support the overall coordination and management of the EU programme and SPEEP programme. The position will be responsible for developing partnerships with the EU, Implementing Partners, and other key stakeholders. This includes coordination and corresponding with the EU, other UN Agencies, implementing partners and respective programme leads within UNICEF. The role provides leadership in developing detailed work plans and budgets, supervising programme implementation, ensuring that partners and activities are well coordinated, and facilitating regular management and coordination meetings. It also involves liaising with state education authorities. Given the current instability and evolving situation in Sudan, the function will be responsible for the formulation and development of strategies, methodologies and new approaches for ensuring and improving programme delivery. S/He collaborates with Education Manager involved in the project implementation and to ensure alignment to UNICEF rules and regulation and with Agreement with EU. 

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

• Grant Management  
• Programme development and planning 
• Partnerships Management 
• Programmatic Budget Management  
• Monitoring and Evaluation of Risk and results 

 *Grant Management  

•Support and coordinate UNICEF’s programming and implementation of the EU, including management of a team of professionals, dealing with EU and the IPs and collaborating with partners (FMOE, other government entities and education stakeholders) to formulate and develop strategies, methodologies and new approaches for improving programme delivery.   

•Ensure and support effective coordination meetings with donors and partners, as well as with government and other UN agencies. Participate in strategic EU and other education programme discussions and planning to provide technical advice and to contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to promote. 

 *Programme development and planning 

• Establish the EU programme workplans, monitor compliance and provide guidance and support to the programme team to meet objectives.  

•Plan and provide technical support and guidance for the implementation of the EU grant and develop strategies to ensure grant objectives are reached as the in-country situation evolves. 

•Coordinate the implementation of the EU as a component of the Country Programme, establishing clear links between the achievements under the EU Grant and the Country Office programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). 

•Consult and collaborate with colleagues and partners to provide technical and operational. 

support programme planning, management, and implementation, and to ensure. 

•Integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with the wider education sector programmes 

*Partnerships Management 

•Develop partnerships with EU, FMOE and other Government entities, and other UN Agencies.  

•Guide and build the capacities of partners so that the goals of the programme are met and the donor rules respected. 

•Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with the education sector government counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia. Through active networking, advocacy and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise to facilitate the achievement of programme goals on child rights, social justice, and equity.     

*Programmatic Budget Management  

•Prepare programmatic budgets in line with donor conditions ensuring proper utilization and accountability, and that activities are within established plans of action, and the programme budget allotments. Take appropriate actions to optimize the use of programme funds. 

 *Monitoring and Evaluation of Risk and results 

•Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners, particularly the EU, to establish monitoring frameworks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess and strengthen project performance. Coordinate and ensure that UNICEF and donor monitoring requirements are in place and review and finalize project related reports including donor reports. Plan and actively monitor project implementation through field mission and joint review missions with project partners. Take a lead in the planning and preparation for the project implementation support mission. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  2025-04-13 TOR - TA 6 months Education Specialist (EU) P3 MP.pdf

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

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, social sciences, international development, sociology, or another relevant technical field. 

Work Experience:  

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme formulation, planning, management and evaluation of education programmes including large scale learning and skills development programmes 
• Experience working in an emergency environment is an asset. 
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.  
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset

Language Requirements:

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.

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…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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 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. 

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.