Education Specialist (GPE Coordination) - P3  

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, learning...

UNICEF is currently the Grant Agent (GA) for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) ? System Capacity Grant (SCG) which is coming to an end in May 2026 and also for the Multiplier Grant which will come to an end in December 2026. As the GA, UNICEF bears the responsibility for overseeing programme implementation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, Lesotho (MoET). The SCG is focusing on building capacity of the MoET for data strengthening, sector coordination, system diagnostics and education sector analyses. The Multiplier Grant is focusing on improving access to equitable pre-primary education and quality of foundational learning and teaching.

More recently, the Government has identified enhanced quality of teaching and learning for improved learning attainment in basic education, focusing on the most marginalized learners as the priority reform that will be achieved through education system transformation in the country. The transformation will be done by addressing bottlenecks and working collaboratively with all stakeholders, partners, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The GPE Partnership Compact, approved by the GPE Secretariat in April 2024, articulated and elaborated on this priority reform that will serve as the basis for Lesotho's application to access GPE System Transformation Grant (STG).  Currently, the focus for UNICEF Education section is on implementing the activities under the SCG and the Multiplier.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief, Education, the Education Specialist (GPE Coordination) will support the development and preparation of the Education Programme and will be responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the progress of education programmes/projects within the Country Programme and contribute to 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.  

Summary of Key Functions/Accountabilities:

• GPE and Quality Education Programme Leadership
• GPE Programme Development and Planning
• Programme Management, Monitoring and Quality Control of Results
• Advisory Services and Technical Support
• Advocacy, Networking and Partnership Building
• Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education:

An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master's) from an accredited institution is required in education, economics, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.  

Skills 

• Expertise and knowledge of the field of education with management experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and oral presentation.
• Experience leading high-level sector work with government partners.
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading high?level education initiatives.
• Leadership experience working with diverse education donor partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills and experiences.
• Excellent collaboration with colleagues and partners.

Language Requirements:  Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• 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.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

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  (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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 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 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 industrial countries are encouraged to apply.

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

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. 

visa residence requirements: i.e.: UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

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.

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