Recrutement de 01 Chief, Education Research - Global Office of Research & Foresight (GORaF)

Recrutement de 01 Chief, Education Research - Global Office of Research & Foresight (GORaF)

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Florence
Level: P-5
Location: Italy
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 Research

Job organizational context:

The Global Office of Research and Foresight (Innocenti) tackles the questions of greatest importance for children, both current and emerging. It drives change through research and foresight on a wide range of child rights issues, sparking global discourse and actively engaging young people in its work. Innocenti explores emerging issues, identifies research gaps, brings together existing researchers, and supports or undertakes research and data collection to address critical questions and to inform policy dialogue and implementation at country level.

As part of its broader mission, Innocenti is committed to building the evidence base on effective strategies to improve access to quality education and to address learning poverty, in particular for the children born at disadvantage. Innocenti co-creates research on education with Governments and other partners to support the implementation of best practices for education systems, policies and programmes. Working with Governments, UNICEF Headquarters, regional and country offices as well as universities and international partners, the education unit supports 70+ countries worldwide in conducting field research and evidence-based policy/literature reviews.

Purpose for the job:

Under the overall guidance of the Director and the supervision of the Deputy Director, be responsible for the development and management of the research programme on education at Innocenti, with a focus on improving learning outcomes, in particular foundational learning.

The Chief is responsible for setting strategic directions for the research programme; providing oversight and technical leadership of a portfolio of research projects; and managing a high performing, interdisciplinary research team (approx. 35 staff, consultants and interns). The Chief collaborates closely with UNICEF colleagues in HQ, regional and country offices, as well as with Governments, academics, policy makers, implementing agencies, and practitioners. The role also includes resource mobilization in support of the research agenda, communicating and disseminating research findings, engaging with users and stakeholders, and providing research support to UNICEF staff.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Lead and contribute to research and analysis in Education in support of UNICEF’s overall priorities, producing evidence that is relevant to programmes and policy advocacy, design, dialogue and implementation.
Develop research and evidence-based policy analysis on relevant education and learning topics (including early childhood education, disability, teachers, gender and school leadership, positive deviance schools, practices and behaviours, digital learning and other innovations) in different contexts and their contribution to child well-being and development outcomes.
Advance the collection and analysis of relevant technical literature, information and data and prepare and contribute to high profile reports and working papers. Organize relevant meetings and workshops. Present research findings to professional and policy audiences.
Participate broadly in the interdisciplinary research of Innocenti through involvement in selected cross-functional teams and consultations, providing technical inputs from the perspective of education system strengthening. Contribute to the research coordination and quality assurance functions of Innocenti.
In coordination with Innocenti’s Partnerships Specialist, lead the development and management of a resource mobilization strategy for the education research programme.
In coordination with the Education Section in HQ and Regional Offices, and with the input of key stakeholders, support the development of a global research agenda for education for the organization, including the systematic identification of issues and accompanying identification of solutions and strategies. Contribute to the development and support of the dialogue on education related conditions and policies affecting children with internal and external partners.
In collaboration with the Education Section in HQ and Regional Offices, support efforts in generating a body of evidence for internal and external use in advocacy and programming, with a focus on improving foundational learning addressing learning poverty, in particular for the most disadvantaged girls and boys. This includes contributing to research priorities arising from the UNICEF Strategic Plans and the 2019-2030 Education Strategy (“Every Child Learns”) and participation in key education research networks such as the Building Evidence in Education (BE2), the Global Evidence in Education Advisory Panel (GEEAP), the What Works Hub (WWH) and other research partners including academic institutions
Contribute to the overall management of Innocenti and its work programme and advise on the UNICEF research programme for education. Act as a resource person for key UNICEF meetings and advocacy activities as requested by the Director or Deputy Director.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: Advanced university degree in education, economics, social policy or other social sciences.

Experience:

Ten years of professional work experience in education policy, research or analysis

Ability to conceptualize, plan and manage research programmes, with demonstrated experience in relevant areas of research, such as early childhood education, disability, teachers, gender and school leadership, positive deviance research, digital learning or other innovations.

Strong record in resource mobilization for education development program and/or research

Excellent managerial skills and demonstrated ability to work well as part of team and to forge and manage collaborations

Excellent written and oral communication skills; record of professional publications in relevant academic and policy areas an asset.

Commitment to UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, transparency, accountability, and sustainability.

Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English required; ability to work in a second UN working language desirable; ability to work in French 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…

Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)

Works Collaboratively with others (2)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)

Innovates and Embraces Change (2)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)

Drives to achieve impactful results (2)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. 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 visa or 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: 27 Jul 2023 W. Europe Daylight Time
Deadline: 09 Aug 2023 W. Europe Daylight Time