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
Grade: NOC
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.
