Assistant Education Officer
FTAOrganizational Context
The incumbent will act as a focal point for education in the area of operation and, under the leadership of the supervising officer(s), support UNHCR’s work regarding education and advocacy on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions. He/she normally works under the direct supervision of the UNHCR Protection Officer (Child) and overall supervision of the Senior Protection Officer. Under the direction of supervising Officers, the incumbent will support the implementation of global level policies, including the UNHCR Education Strategy, adapted to the local context. He/she will participate in liaising with partners to assess the education context, to develop an implementation plan and to monitor the programme and assess impact. He/she will work in collaboration with in-country education partners to improve access to, and quality of, refugee education at all levels, both formal and non-formal, and may liaise with partners for joint support for education access for refugee and host community children. He/she will support the implementation of education approaches for emerging needs in refugee education, including attention to special needs, minorities, girls, pre-school education, and non-formal activities and tertiary education. He/she will support inter-sectoral linkages with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods and health, among others. He/she will work with the line ministry (MoE/REB) in light of the CRRF, Government pledges and Djibouti Declaration for the inclusion/integration of the education needs of refugees into the national system.
Accountability
- The education needs of refugees are met through the application of International and National Commitments, including the MDGs and EFA commitments, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles governing humanitarian coordination, including those of the INEE.
- Education activities are guided by global, regional and country priorities and reflect UNHCR’s policy on age, gender and diversity (AGD).
- Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches.
- Persons of concern are treated with dignity and respect and all protection incidents are immediately identified and addressed
Responsibility
Strategic Direction and Coordination
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on access to and quality of education and inform the development of the education strategy.
Response and Advice
- Assist in providing comments to the relevant authorities on existing and draft legislation related to education and persons of concern.
- Coordinate with partners and other actors in education to adapt the Education Strategy to the local context and ensure ownership.
- Provide technical advice and guidance on education issues to persons of concern of all ages; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of education relevant documentation.
Implement education programmes in line with Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) standards and the child protection systems approach.
- Support inter-sectoral linkages with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods, environment, shelter and health, among others.
- Provide inputs for the development of global/regional education policies and standards.
- Identify cases of denial of access to education with government and other relevant parties and recommend appropriate responses.
- Identify and promote education activities that support durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
- Assess needs for services of persons of concern, as related to education, and coordinate partners’ responses.
- Systematically promote and comply with the Age, Gender and Diversity (ADG) and HIV/AIDS policy.
- Advocacy, Information Management and Research
- Advocate with authorities for respect of the right of persons of concern to an education and for their access to education services.
- Coordinate with Education networks and ensure that refugee education interests are understood and included in relevant policies and initiatives.
- Ensure that best practices are identified, documented and widely disseminated.
- Support the country education information management strategy through the collection of disaggregated data on populations of concern and the collection and dissemination of education information and best practices to enhance education delivery.
Promotion and Capacity Building
- Undertake initiatives to build the capacity of communities and persons of concern to assert their right to education and access to quality education.
- Promote and participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen access to quality, certified education for refugees.
External Relations
- Contribute to a communications strategy that generates external support for UNHCR’s education activities and the education rights of persons of concern.
Authority
- Intervene with authorities on education issues.
- Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR.
- Issue documents and reports for clearance by the Education or Protection and/or Senior Protection Officer.
- Issue recommendations on individual education related cases.
- Approve individual payments to individual cases.
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Education or Social Sciences or a related field plus minimum 1 year of previous work experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) may also be accepted.
- Demonstrated work experience in the education sector.
- Knowledge of refugee protection principles and framework.
- Familiarity with INEE standards.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
*** For National Officer Positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.
Required Competencies
- Field experience in education programme implementation and coordination.
- Demonstrated work experience in refugee education programmes.
- Background in relevant education systems with good knowledge of relevant curricula.
- Demonstrated expertise in education programming, community services, community development/organization, social work, social surveys/ assessment, counselling, or related areas.
- Team building/development training.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.
Managerial and Cross Functional Competences
- Empowering and Building Trust
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Innovation and Creativity
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Change Capability and Adaptability
Submission of Applications
This vacancy is open for qualified Ethiopians only.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
IMPORTANT
Applicants who wish to be considered for this position should send a motivation letter the P11 Form and or the most recent fact sheet through the online application system.
Candidates will be required to sit for a test.
Due to the volume of applications only short listed candidates will be invited for interview.
Former UNHCR General Service staff members, having held an Indefinite or FTA appointment for an uninterrupted period of at least one year may apply for internally advertised vacancies at their previous grade or equivalent or one grade above, if the seniority requirements are met, for a period of two years following separation.