Stretch Assignment: Education Specialist (EiE & Resilience), WCARO, Dakar(Onsite)
Title: Education Specialist
Level: P4 – we encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply
Reports to: P4 Education Specialist (OOSC) / P5 Regional Education Advisorr
Duration: 3 months
Section: Programme/Education, WCARO
Location: CITY, COUNTRY
Start Date: April
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.
1. Purpose and Objectives of the Assignment
Children’s access to education in West and Central Africa has faced significant challenges due to multiple shocks in recent years. The number of school closures due to insecurity has risen from 13,263 in June 2023 to 14,364 in June 2024, affecting 2.8 million children, up from 2.5 million the previous year. Many of these children have been out of school for years. In addition to insecurity, disasters and epidemics have also contributed to the disruption of education. In 2024, almost 12.5 million children were affected by climate-related school disruptions in at least 7 countries of the region (Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal). In Niger and Mali, 100% of registered students had their education disrupted by the floods. The fragility of the education services and the targeting of schools and school children in conflict zones highlight the urgent need for a stronger focus on education in emergencies, and the overall strengthening of education systems.
In this context, more support is needed to accompany the regional-level coordination and technical assistance to the affected countries in the area of Education in Emergencies. Under the guidance of the UNICEF WCARO Education Specialist (OOSC) and overall supervision of the Regional Education Advisor, the stretch assignment will provide overall technical support and assistance for the planning, implementation and/or monitoring of Education in Emergencies work, through improved coordination, knowledge exchange/sharing and management, innovation, strengthened capacity, and research activities to support evidence-based programme development and strengthen the work in these areas for the Country Offices (COs) requiring support in the WCA region.
2. Key expected-Results:
- Support the EiE & Resilience portfolio at regional level including design, implementation and oversight of program interventions and results, in collaboration with relevant staff at country, regional and head quarter level
- Provide technical support to WCARO and WCAR country offices as appropriate, on preparedness and responses to emergencies.
- Contribute to fundraising and resource mobilization efforts for education programmes and/or leveraging of existing resources for UNICEF’s support to education, provide technical and advisory support to WCAR country offices for the development of funding proposals.
- Support coordination of Regional EiE Working Group for West and Central Africa. UNICEF co-leads this group with NRC
3. Supervisor
The Education Specialist on stretch assignment will report to WCARO Education Specialist on education access (OOSC) and overall supervision of the Regional Education Advisor.
4. Criteria for eligibility:
To be eligible, applicant should normally:
- hold a permanent, continuous or fixed term contract and normally have served with UNICEF for a period of at least one year in the current role
- have approval from supervisor to go on a stretch assignment for this duration.
5. Minimum qualifications and competencies
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.
- A minimum of five years of professional experience in education in emergency, education programme planning, in emergency/protracted crisis contexts is required (some of which should be at the country office level).
- Familiarity and knowledge of the region is an asset.
- Excellent knowledge of French and English.
Funding arrangement
Once the selection process has been completed, the receiving and releasing office will communicate to reach an agreement on the start date for the recommended staff member. Releasing office will be provided with funding by UNICEF WCARO to cover the staff member’s economy class airfare, salary and 50% of DSA for the duration of the assignment.
Interested UNICEF staff should discuss this opportunity with their supervisor and seek the approval of their management before applying via TMS.
