Current vacancies

Contract Duration – 12 months

Working arrangement: Remote

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide time-bound, hands on technical and coordination support to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to strengthen programme management, financial oversight, and digital systems implementation within the context of GPE funded programmes.

Specifically, the consultancy is intended to:

• Enable MoET Planning Department to exercise effective operational oversight over GPE funded Direct Cash Transfers (DCTs) through practical tools, standardized processes, and regular reporting;

• Support the translation of programme implementation data into timely, compliant financial liquidation and reporting;

• Deliver and support priority digital systems and coordination functions that contribute to improved sector management and evidence based decision making; and

• Strengthen institutional capacity by ensuring that systems, tools, and processes introduced through the consultancy are operational, used, and owned by MoET staff.

The consultancy is designed as a results based, systems oriented assignment, focused on establishing sustainable practices and tools that can continue to function beyond the duration of the contract.

The main objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Establish and operationalize a functioning GPE DCT oversight, tracking, and reporting system within MoET Planning Department; and

2. Deliver targeted digital system outputs and coordination support aligned to MoET priorities, within a clearly bound and realistic scope.

Note: It should be noted that UNICEF will not provide work equipment (laptop etc) or cover travel costs. Any such cost must be factored into the consultancy fee.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  Edu Planning and IT Transformation.pdf

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master’s degree in education, Information Systems, Public Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Work Experience:
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in education programme management, financial oversight, data systems, or digital transformation.
• Experience in designing, managing, or integrating digital systems such as HRIS, EFMS, or educational management systems.
• Experience in effectively facilitating the collaborative work of a wide range of stakeholders, including government and development partners
• Proven skills in ICT infrastructure setup, capacity building, and system interoperability.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English; knowledge of Sesotho is an asset
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
• Familiarity with UNICEF HACT procedures and GPE grants is a strong asset
• Strong analytical, coordination, and communication skills.
• Strong planning and coordination skills
• Proficiency in web development using at least one server-side scripting language (C#, PHP, Python or similar) and SQL.

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

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal  Financial proposal EDU Planning and IT Transformation.docx
• Technical proposal requirement: applicants are to submit a detailed technical proposal outlining how they propose to handle the assignment reflect on the outlined tasks and key responsibilities

Remarks:  

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.