UNICEF recrute un responsable de l’éducation (programme conjoint L’éducation ne peut pas attendre), (P-4), Bangui, République Centrafricaine

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, education :

The implementation of the MYRP in the Central African Republic which is bordered by Chad, Sudan and South Sudan, Cameroon, DRC and Congo, is very challenging especially in a pre-electoral context with resurgence of armed conflicts in some areas and its intensification in many already conflict-affected parts of the country. There is a multifaceted violence due to constantly increasing of both criminal and rebel groups that have been spreading desolation throughout the country, jeopardizing the future of thousands of Central African girls and boys. Almost all the prefectures including Bangui, witnessed armed conflicts since last year and which continue to spread with more intensity and direct involvement of the armed groups leaders who were engaged in a peace process since February 2019.

Children have been dropping out of school because of the insecurity that keeps causing constant displacement in the affected areas. Schools are closed because of insecurity either attacks or occupation of schools by armed groups, movement of population or lack of teachers; The volatile situation persists as elections are scheduled for end of the year and agitation among armed  group leaders is exacerbated  in spite of their acceptance and signature of the peace accord in February 2019. The uncertainty that emerged, has direct impact on the education of hundreds of thousands of children, and due to the spread of COVID-19,school was closed for more than 3 months, the return to schools of the children remains hypothetical but dropping out is now a corollary issue added to the learning loss for those who will go back to school. Prior to COVID-19, some 290,000 pre-school and school-age children were displaced and among whom, approximately 116,000 were reported to have dropped out of school.

Even when learning activities take place, children remain at risk of long-lasting exposure to violence in and around IDP sites, resulting in dropping out as the few functional schools are overcrowded due to the increased enrolment of displaced children in these existing schools and even in the temporary learning spaces. The pupil/teacher ratio is approximately 140/1 (in many cases up to 200 pupils for one teacher in a classroom) in many IDP sites. In addition, out of school children and adolescent boys and girls are at greater risk of abuse and exploitation, including sexual abuse and exploitation, conscription into armed groups, crime and substance abuse, The constant violence weighs extremely on girls who are more likely to end up in early marriage and early pregnancies when they are not victims of gender-based violence.

In order to better improve the quality of education and attain more hard-to-reach children in crisis-affected areas, UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MEPS), set up a radio education programme for the school year 2019-2020 that is currently being implemented. Additionally, UNICEF is supporting the MEPS in the implementation of the recently adopted Education Sector plan along with other donors and partners of the Local Education Group – LEG (World Bank, EU, GPE, ECHO, AFD, French Embassy, UNESCO …). UNICEF also developed strong partnership with both international and national NGO to ensure the implementation of interventions related to access to quality education for children and adolescents (3 – 17 years) with focus on Education in Emergencies (including the implementation of its COVID-19 response plan and early childhood development/pre-learning. 

Job organizational context :

The Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Joint-Programme Manager is responsible for the overall management and implementation of the Central African ECW Multi-Year-Resilience Programme (MYRP), with a more than USD19 million budget since 2018 including the First Emergency Response funds (FER) to support government in the implementation of its COVID-19 response plan. The incumbent coordinates the ECW joint programme activities, leads the effective implementation of the overall programme, collaborates with the Education Cluster and ensure the coordination of the Joint Programme Steering Committee. He/she reports to UNICEF and plays the role of liaison with the ECW Secretariat Country Lead.

The programme aims to provide access to education for 500,000 conflict-affected children and out of school children and adolescents through community based and innovative approaches. The ECW-funded programme creates an inclusive teaching and learning environment for conflict-affected and out of school girls and boys; improves continuity of education by facilitating opportunities for students to transition to from lower to higher grades; improves the quality of learning; and create safer and more protective learning environments and ensures learning assessments.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief Education, the MYRP Programme Manager manages the ECW grant and is responsible for :

Programme Coordination :

• Ensure programme oversight, including personnel management, programme direction and results attainment ;
• Manage ECW MYRP allocations to implementing partners in close collaboration with the ECW Steering Committee and ECW Technical Committee in accordance with established and documented procedures ;
• Manage the ECW MYRP programme and coordinate with the Education Cluster, supports the ECW M&E/IM Specialists and Education Specialists in charge of the ECW funds ;
• Prepare the programme Quarterly WP in relation to the ECW facilitated Multi-Year; Resilience Programme and that is in alignment with the AWP and Education Cluster /Education sector priorities;
• Ensure achievement of the MYRP outputs in line with the approved WP through the day-to-day planning, management, coordination and implementation of activities by ECW implementing partners in supported provinces ;
• Coordinate regular meetings among the MYRP implementing partners and provide technical support; ensure the establishment of focal points for gender, inclusion and safeguarding within the three consortiums and ensure regular meetings ;
• Coordinate regular meetings with the Ministry of Education (MoE) EiE Unit, the Education Cluster, ECW Steering Committee (grantees), the ECW Technical Committee, the Education Cluster and, as well as other education stakeholders and donors ;
• Ensure the MYRP M&E plan is developed and monitored ;
• Maintain a database of project outputs, activities and achieved results to provide information for both internal and external reporting ;
• Undertake regular monitoring visits to programme sites and report on progress and constraints; further monitor progress on learning outcomes, level of gender responsiveness, as per the M&E plan – update the plan as required; prepare and maintain monitoring spreadsheets of programme activities ;
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals ;
• Prepare inputs to the Project Quarterly Progress Report (progress against planned activities, update on Risks and Issues, expenditures) for the different academic inspections involved in the MYRP ;
• Ensure the preparation of joint annual work plans, prepare budgets and budget revisions where needed, and design procurement plans ;
• Review on a regular basis details, schedules, deliverables and budget as articulated in the joint programme document (evidence of progress towards expected outputs, according to schedule, within budget) with the project team and update data tools accordingly ;
• Bear overall responsibility for the quality, substance and timely delivery of joint programme products and reports, in adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.

 Financial management :

• Plan, monitor and control the utilization of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources ;
• Maintain complete grant documentation and provide information as required ;
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of deliverables to donor, including work plan, procurement plan, program and financial reports ;
• Regularly monitor program progress and budget performance, write regular grant reports, and take appropriate actions as required ;
• Ensure the development of a communications and visibility plan for the MYRP is prepared and monitored ;
• Manage and monitor identified programmatic risks and update the status of these risks by maintaining the programme risk matrix/Log ;
• Ensure consolidated results report is submitted to ECW in line with established dates ;
• Collaborate closely with Ministry of Education (MoE) officials and provincial education departments, the Education Cluster and to ensure system strengthening and sustainability of the programme ;
• Oversee administrative and logistical support for programme missions and facilitate meetings and missions in RCA ;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources and monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports ;
• Ensure the integrity of financial system and, overseeing the administrative, financial and budgetary aspects of the project activities ;
• Proactively engage in mobilizing additional resources for the unmet needs (activities not covered through seed funds) of the MYRP ;
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results ;
• Promote the continuum between humanitarian and development actors (the nexus), the New Way of Working (NWOW) and SDG 2030 agenda.

The Programme Manager supports knowledge building and substantive programme management, and resource mobilization, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Substantive management :

• Plan and/or provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence-based data on EiE issues are available to guide ECW’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on EiE and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans ;
• Support the Education Cluster and provide technical advice to implementing partners such as EiE, ensure the nexus (continuum between humanitarian and development efforts), strategic planning etc. ;
• Ensure technical and local coordination with partners, stakeholders, and other agencies, especially the EiE Unit in the Ministry of Education (MoE), the Education Cluster and the LEG ;
• Promote identification, synthesis and the sharing of best practices and lessons learned from the ECW-funded programme for organizational learning and decision making ;
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures as part of UNICEF Education team and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects ;
• Support the Education Cluster for the organization, planning and implementation of capacity building initiatives to enhance competencies of stakeholders on EiE ;
• Ensure the adoption of an intersectoral approach within the UNICEF Education Section by linking the MYRP intervention to sectors such as protection, health, livelihoods etc. ;
• Ensure promotion of initiatives linked to ECW global partnerships (Global Coalition to Protect Education Against Attack, Girls Education Challenge, Generation Unlimited, etc.).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University degree in the field of education or other related social science. First university degree with additional two-year relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree ;
• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, multi-year-programmes, results-based management, planning, costing, management and results reporting/M&E in education, humanitarian and development action, and related areas at international level ;
• Previous work experience in developing countries and fragile, crisis affected contexts is required. Previous experience in protracted crises and West and central Africa desirable ;
• Relevant experience in education and education in emergencies program development and management ;
• Previous work experience in humanitarian response in UNICEF is an asset ;
• Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups or multi-stakeholder partnerships is highly desirable. Experience in Multiyear programming and exposure to management of education, inclusive education and education in emergencies programmes ;
• Fluency in English and French are required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships ;
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness ;
• Drive to achieve results for impact ;
• Innovates and embraces change ;
• Manages ambiguity and complexity ;
• Thinks and acts strategically   ;
• Works collaboratively with others ;
• Nurtures, leads and manages people.

View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF 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.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks :

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Due to COVID19, office physical presence and travel restriction might be in place at the duty station. In this regard, it is expected that the selected incumbent will have the resources to work remotely as long as it is required.

Once COVID19 restrictions are lifted, it is expected that the incumbent will be physically present in the position duty station. Specific circumstances will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Please note that some entitlements related to relocation will be effective once the official travel to the duty station takes place.