Education Specialist, Luanda,Angola-Job Ref. AO/UNICEF/2105/2501

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.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

•  Lead annual work plans and progress reports preparation for the GPE funded programmes, ensuring planned activities are reflected in the government fiscal year plans
•  Consolidating, reviewing and quality assuring quarterly work plans, monitoring and financial reports prepared by implementing agencies/departments of the government, ensuring alignment with expected results and compliance with policies and procedures.
•  Ensuring funds requests and utilization are thoroughly reviewed, and expenditures are in line with the approved plans and budgets
•  Ensuring timely completion and follow up of HACT assurance activities and actions related to the GPE grants
•  Leading programme implementation status updates to be prepared and presented to education sector working group coordination platforms, including the bi-annual joint review of the education sector meetings
•  Planning and ensuring successful completion of the GPE partnership compact review in the second half of 2025.
•  Coordination of meetings, workshops, and other events planned and undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and sector stakeholders.
•  Contribute to identification, synthesis, and sharing of lessons learned to support evidence informed programming and decisions.
•  Ensuring regular monitoring visits, including joint visits with government and partners, to observe and document implementation status; and prepare and share relevant information with implementing partners and relevant officials for required action.
•  Contributing to monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews with implementing partners and the government and prepare minutes/reports for follow up actions.

Key Expected Results

•  GPE programme implementation plans are reflected in MINEDUC and implementing agencies’ annual budget plans and sector strategies.
•  GPE funded programme results are achieved and reported to the donor as planned.
•  Administrative, procurement and technical actions related to the GPE funded programmes and other UNICEF support to the Ministry of Education are completed, while complying with UNICEF policies, processes, and procedures.
•  Technical and operational support, is provided to government counterparts, including midterm review, joint monitoring visits and presentation of progress at Education Sector meetings to gather feedback and share lessons learned.
•  Programme meetings and events successfully organized, and action points followed up.
•  Situation analysis, lessons learned, and best practices are documented for knowledge management and contribute to internal and external reports.
•  Field monitoring reports, including HACT assurance related, on critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems are regularly shared for timely action to achieve results.
•  Education sector partners are engaged and updated through coordination platforms, contributing to achievement of programme results.

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.

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.

How to apply:

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