United Nations High Commissioner Refugees (UNHCR)
Vacancy Notice No.:IVN/EVN/KEN/NBI/13/003 add1
Vacancy Notice No.:IVN/EVN/KEN/NBI/13/003 add1
Title of Post: Education Officer
Post Number: 10018890
Location: Nairobi
Closing Date: 26/02/2013
Organizational Context (role of the position within the team,
describing its leadership role, it’s external/internal work relationships or
contacts, the contextual environment in which it operates and the scope of
supervision received, and where applicable, exercise by the incumbent)
The incumbent will act as the focal point for the education
sector in the area of operation, provide leadership for UNHCR regarding
education and advocate on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and
strategic directions.
He/She normally works under the direct supervision of the UNHCR
Protection Officer and overall supervision of the Deputy Representative
(Protection).
He/She will coordinate the adaption of global level policies, in
broad collaboration with the Ministry of Education at national, provincial and
district levels, UNICEF, Education partners and other appropriate national and
international partners, including community-based organisations.
He/She will liaise with partners to assess the education context,
identify and address gaps, to develop annual implementation plans and to
monitor the programme and assess impact.
He/She will work in collaboration with incountry education
partners to improve access to, and quality of, refugee education at all levels,
both formal and non-formal and will liaise with partners for joint support for
education access for refugee and host community children.
This may include, among others, ensuring a cohort of trained
teachers, assurance of safe learning environments, monitoring learning
achievement, organising accelerated learning programmes for older students,
facilitating smooth transition from primary to secondary education and ensuring
student participation in certified education programmes.
He/She will develop innovative education approaches for emerging
needs in the refugee education, including attention to special needs,
minorities, girls, pre-school education and non formal activities.
He/She will foster and ensure intersectoral linkages with child
protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods and health, among
others.
The incumbent will, as pertinent to the operation’s staffing
profile, supervise lower grade education staff.
Accountability (key results that will be achieved)
- 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.
- The operation
has an integrated and holistic education strategy which is consistent with
the protection and solutions strategies and reflects the Organization’s
global, regional and country level priorities. The strategy is aligned with
UNHCR’s policy on age, gender and diversity (AGD) and participatory
assessment (PA) polices and rights communitybased approaches.
- The education
strategy is developed, implemented and monitored in broad, consultative
partnership with education actors including Government, UN agencies, and
national and international partners, focusing on access to quality
education, and building on and integrating with education initiatives
supported by other agencies within a longer-term perspective.
- Mainstreaming
refugees within national education systems is fostered and support is
provided for a coordinated approach to education for refugee and host
communities, in collaboration with relevant partners.
- Participation of
persons of concern in decisions and initiatives pertaining to their own
education is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using
participatory, rights and community based approaches.
- National
education provision capacities are improved through direct engagement,
research and advocacy with all relevant external interlocutors.
- Protection
incidents related to schools and educational activities are immediately
identified and addressed through direct intervention, advocacy and public
exposure.
- Persons of
concern are treated with dignity, respect and professionalism in line with
the UNHCR Code of Conduct. Integrity in the delivery of education services
is assured by all education staff.
- Education
activities have political and financial support from external partners.
Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve
results)
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 provide advice to senior
management.
- Manage a consultative
process with government counterparts, UN agencies, partners and persons of
concern to develop and implement the education strategy, with a focus on
access to quality education.
- Ensure that the
strategy addresses Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) priorities and
the other specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth,
persons with disabilities, minority groups such as sexual minorities and
persons living with HIV/AIDS.
- Support senior
management to ensure that the education strategy is fully integrated into
the Country Operations Plan, the UN Development and Assistance Framework
(UNDAF) and, in respect of UNHCR’s mandate, the Humanitarian Country
Team’s common humanitarian action plan.
- Actively pursue
opportunities to implement UNHCR’s urban policy and support mainstreaming
within national education systems, including coordination on education
provision for refugee and host communities.
Response and Advice
- Promote consistent
interpretation and application of International and National Law and
applicable UN/HCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
- Design, deliver
and monitor programmes on an AGD basis to address identified education
needs.
- Provide
technical advice and guidance on education issues to internal and external
interlocutors; liaise with competent authorities to ensure that refugees
follow certified education programmes and ensure the issuance and
recognition of education certificates and other documents to persons of
concern (school leaving diploma, graduation certificate, etc.).
- Collaborate
closely with partners to ensure coherent annual planning based on a longer
term strategy, and jointly monitor and assess implementation, providing
advice on programme reorientation where necessary.
- Develop and
implement a specific education strategy which strengthens protection and
durable solutions for persons of concern in respect of Inter-Agency
Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) standards and is consistent
with the child protection systems approach.
- Facilitate
inter-sectoral linkages with child protection, SGBV, gender, community
services, livelihoods, environment, shelter and health, among others.
- Ensure that PASS
instructions relating to education programming and reporting are
understood and followed.
- Intervene in
cases of denial of access to education with government and other relevant
parties.
- Identify and
promote education activities that support durable solutions through
voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate,
resettlement.
Advocacy, Information Management and Research
- Implement a
results-based advocacy strategy through a consultative process with
sectoral and/or cluster partners.
- Advocate with
authorities for respect of the right of persons of concern of all ages to
an education and for their access to education services.
- Identify gaps in
education service provision and advocate with relevant authorities for
service provision.
- Ensure that best
practices are identified, documented and widely disseminated.
- Facilitate the
implementation of a functional information management strategy which
provides disaggregated data on populations of concern; initiate research
and ensure collection and dissemination of relevant education information
and good practices to enhance quality of and access to education.
Promotion and Capacity Building
- Build the
capacity of local partners and civil society to provide quality education
to persons of concern.
- Coordinate
capacity-building initiatives for communities and persons of concern to
assert their right to education and access to quality education.
- Advise and
capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to
strengthen legislation and education system procedures and mechanisms that
support 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 (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to
achieve results)
- Recommend the
education strategy for endorsement by the Senior Protection Officer,
Deputy Representative or Representative.
- Organise and
chair education meetings with education and protection partners.
- Decide on
indicators to measure impact and performance of partners on education
delivery.
- Intervene with
authorities on education issues.
- Negotiate
locally on behalf of UNHCR, and as appropriate with resettlement countries
and countries of return.
- Clear documents
and reports prepared by the education team.
- Issue
recommendations on education related incidents.
- Appraise the
performance of supervised staff.
- Enforce
compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection
policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of
education services.
- Approve
expenditures under the UNHCR education budget.
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience
- University
degree in Education or Social Sciences with at least 8 years (6 years with
Advanced University degree) of relevant work experience.
- Background in
relevant education systems with good knowledge of relevant curricula.
- Demonstrated
work experience in education programmes.
- Field experience
in programme implementation and coordination.
- Knowledge of
refugee protection principles and framework.
- Familiarity with
INEE standards.
- Excellent
knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.
Desirable Qualifications & Competencies
- Training and
coaching skills/facilitation of learning.
- Demonstrated
work experience in refugee education programmes.
- Experience with
educational research, teaching or education administration.
- Experience in
the area of child protection.
- Demonstrated
expertise in community services, community development/organization,
social work, social surveys/ assessment, counselling, or related areas.
- Team
building/development training.
Submission of Applications
This vacancy is open for qualified Kenyan Nationals ONLY.
Important
Staff members who wish to be considered for this position should
send a motivation letter to: The Secretary, Regional Assignments Committee
(RAC), Human Resources Section, Nairobi and attach Personal History Form
(P.11).
Please quote Reference: IVN/EVN/KEN/NBI/13/003 add1.
Late applications will not be considered.
Internal Applicants Should PLEASE REFER TO PPAL REGULATION
No.16-22 on eligibility to apply (IOM/49-FOM/50/2012 dated 15 June refers).
External Candidates
Candidates should also complete a Personal History form (P.11)
available on the following link - http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.docand attach it to their
application for the position.
Applications should be sent by either through the post address, P.O. Box 43801, 00100 or hand delivered to UNHCR Branch Office for Kenya, Lynwood House, Waiyaki Way (opposite Lions Place).
Please quote Reference: IVN/EVN/KEN/NBI/13/003 add1.
Candidates should also submit copies of academic Certificates
from the relevant institutions.
Applicants should clearly indicate the Title of the Position and
vacancy notice number.
Please remember to submit photocopy/scanned copies of all
supporting documents.
Documents submitted shall not be returned to the
applicants.
Due to the volume of applications only short listed candidates
will be invited for interview.
A test may also be administered.
