Job Description

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Ghanaian Nationals for the position of Education Officer ( National Officer Category.)

• VN No.: VN-15-21
• IMIS #:  71874
• Type of Contract: Fixed-Term
• Post Level: NO-A
• Duty Station: Accra

Job Purpose
Under the general guidance of the Chief, Education, provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the education programs/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analysing and presenting technical program information while learning organisational rules, regulations and procedures

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Support to program development and planning

• Research and analyze regional and national political, health, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyse, verify and synthesize information to facilitate program development, design and preparation.
• Support preparation of technical reports and provide inputs for program preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
• Contribute to the development/establishment of sectoral program goal's, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical program transactions, preparing materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems to support program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate the program review and approval process.

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine program implementation and submit report to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises. program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare draft inputs for programme/donor reporting.

Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/share information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on water, sanitation, hygiene and related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programs.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for education programs.
• Participate in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of education programs/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Provide support in identifying, capturing, synthesizing and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

Required Skills or Experience

• University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Education; Primary Education, Sociology, Psychology or other Social Sciences field is required.  
• A year of professional experience in social development planning and management in education and/other related areas at the international and/or in a developing country is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organisation is an asset. Background in Emergency programmes is an asset.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English required.
• Knowledge of local working language of the duty station and another UN working language an asset.

Competency Profile   
Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [II]
• Drive for Result [I]
• Working With People [I]

Functional Competencies (Required)

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [I]
• Analysing [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [II]
• Learning & Researching[II]
• Planning and Organising [II]