Education Specialist (Adolescent Education and Skills)

Education Specialist (Adolescent Education and Skills)

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Antananarivo
Level: NO-3
Location: Madagascar
Categories: Education
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.



For every child, Education

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Madagascar's human capital is one of the lowest in the world. 97% of Malagasy children aged 10 are unable to read and understand a short text adapted to their age. Although primary school enrollment has fluctuated, relatively stagnant promotion rates at the primary level indicate that the quality of learning remains a barrier to ensuring quality education for all. A significant number of children are out of school, including the vast majority of students with disabilities. In addition, the enrollment rates in preschools have from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021, regressed due to the lack of infrastructure and qualified educators but also tuition fees and other costs which continue to be levied to families.

The failure of the system to provide quality services and a low appreciation of the value of education provided in public institutions are the main reasons why parents do not enroll and keep their children in school. A recent study by the World Bank confirmed that i) only 0.1% of teachers have the minimum skills to teach, ii) at any one time, one in three teachers is absent from public schools in the country, iii) even if they are in school, teaching time is about 60% of what is required by the curriculum; and iv) only 10% of students have access to textbooks. In some regions, the impoverishment of school infrastructure is an additional significant barrier to improving children's learning outcomes. Only 65% of schools provide students with the minimum resources of clean toilets, a blackboard and sufficient light in the classroom to properly follow lessons.

https://www.unicef.org/madagascar/programme/education



How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief, Education (Level 5/4), the Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Education / sector programmes with focus on Adolescent Education and Skills and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the progress of education programmes/projects within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on education programmes/projects to improve learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education, especially for children and adolescent girls and boys who are marginalized, disadvantaged and excluded in society.

The Specialist contributes to mobilization of resources, reporting and achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.



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

An advanced university degree in social sciences or one of the following areas fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, geography or another relevant technical field.
A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research as well as in the area of adolescent education and digital education is required.
Experience working at both decentralized and central level of the country is considered as an asset.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a 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



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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 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.



Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: 30 May 2023 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 12 Jun 2023 E. Africa Standard Time