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 a focal point for education in the area of operation and, under the leadership of the supervising officer(s), support UNHCR’s work regarding education and advocacy on all issues related to UNHCR education programmes and strategic directions.  He/She works under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Officer.

The incumbent will support the implementation of global level policies, including the UNHCR Education Strategy, adapted to the local context.  He/She will participate in liaising with partners to assess the education context, to develop an implementation plan and to monitor the programme and assess impact. He/She will work in collaboration with in-country education partners to improve access to, and quality of, refugee education at all levels, both formal and non-formal, and may liaise with partners for joint support for education access for refugee and host community children. S/he 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. He/She will support the implementation of education approaches for emerging needs in refugee education, including attention to special needs, minorities, girls, pre-school education, and non-formal activities. He/She will support inter-sectoral linkages with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods and health, among others.

Functional Statement:

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.
• Education activities are guided by global, regional and country priorities and reflect UNHCR’s policy on age, gender and diversity (AGD).
• Participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches. 
• Persons of concern are treated with dignity and respect and all protection incidents are immediately identified and addressed.

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 inform the development of the education strategy.

Response and Advice

• Assist in providing comments to the relevant authorities on existing and draft legislation related to education and persons of concern.
• Coordinate with partners and other actors in education to adapt the Education Strategy to the local context and ensure ownership.
• Provide technical advice and guidance on education issues to persons of concern of all ages; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of education relevant documentation.
• Implement education programmes in line with Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) standards and the child protection systems approach.
• Support inter-sectoral linkages with child protection, SGBV, gender, community services, livelihoods, environment, shelter and health, among others.
• Provide inputs for the development of global/regional education policies and standards.
• Identify cases of denial of access to education with government and other relevant parties and recommend appropriate responses.   
• Identify and promote education activities that support durable solutions through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Assess needs for services of persons of concern, as related to education, and coordinate partners’ responses.
• Systematically promote and comply with the Age, Gender and Diversity (ADG) and HIV/AIDS policy.

Advocacy, Information Management and Research

• Advocate with authorities for respect of the right of persons of concern to an education and for their access to education services.
• Coordinate with Education networks and ensure that refugee education interests are understood and included in relevant policies and initiatives.
• Ensure that best practices are identified, documented and widely disseminated.
• Support the country education information management strategy through the collection of disaggregated data on populations of concern and the collection and dissemination of education information and best practices to enhance education delivery.

Promotion and Capacity Building

• Undertake initiatives to build the capacity of communities and persons of concern to assert their right to education and access to quality education.
• Promote and participate in initiatives to capacitate national authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen 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)

• Intervene with authorities on education issues.
• Negotiate locally on behalf of UNHCR.
• Issue documents and reports for clearance by the Education or Protection and/or Senior Protection Officer.
• Issue recommendations on individual education related cases.
• Approve individual payments to individual cases. 

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• University degree in Education or Social Sciences or previous job experience relevant to the function with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated work experience in the education sector.
• 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:

• Field experience in education programme implementation and coordination.
• Demonstrated work experience in refugee education programmes.
• Background in relevant education systems with good knowledge of relevant curricula.
• Demonstrated expertise in education programming, community services, community development/organization, social work, social surveys/ assessment, counselling, or related areas.
• Team building/development training.

Required Competencies:

Managerial Competencies

• Judgement and Decision Making.
• Empowering and Building Trust.

Cross-Functional Competencies

• Innovation and Creativity.
• Negotiation and conflict Resolution.
• Change Capability and Adaptability.

Eligibility:

Candidates must be Sudanese nationals.

Internal staff members should consult the Policy and Procedures on Assignments of Locally recruited Staff (PPAL). If you have questions regarding eligibility, you may also contact the HR Unit (Khartoum).

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org

Submission of Applications:

If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please apply through the sudanjob Website.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Refugees – who cares?   We Do

Only short listed candidates will be notified.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Candidate Assessments may include a written examination followed by a Competency Based Interview.