JOB OPPORTUNITY

SESP Liaison Officer

General

Description of assignment title: SESP Liaison Officer
Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 20/01/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: 4. Quality education
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kathmandu

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation. UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future. We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is the counterpart for the Nepal education sector Joint Financing Partners (including UNICEF) that support the sector through a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp). The Development Assistance Coordination Section (DACS) is placed in the MoEST’s Planning and Monitoring Division and serves as the entry point for all SWAp related coordination and interaction between the MoEST and the broader Local Education Development Partner Group (LEDPG), which includes the JFPs, along with other development partners and civil society organizations (CSOs) and stakeholder representatives. The assignment of the School Education Sector Plan (SESP) Liaison Officer is required as the Government is set to initiate the newly developed SESP by mid-July 2022 and will thereafter proceed with the restructuring of the Nepal Education SWAp (including the development of a SESP JFA, Common TA Framework, ToR for TWGs, etc.) for it to be fully aligned with the federal structure. Is this requires inclusive dialogue and coordination between the Government and the LEDPG. The DACS will serve as the main secretariat for this coordination and UNICEF will serve as a counterpart in these processes for the Planning and Monitoring Division in its role as LEDPG/JFP Focal Point.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of SESP Liaison Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Specialist will:

Support the MoEST’s DACS in tasks related to the coordination of the initiation of SESP
Support MoEST DACS to coordinate country level engagement with the Global Partnership for Education
Support the development of the communication and stakeholder engagement strategy
Support DACS to coordinate technical discussions for SESP in Thematic Committees and Working Groups
Support DACS to enact the Common Framework for Technical Assistance to the SESP
Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
As an active UNICEF Nepal team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF Nepal and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Timely coordination and data management in DACS o Active SESP Thematic Committees and Working Groups o The updated MoU for the Nepal Local Education Group o Implementation of the Common Technical Assistance Framework for the School Education Sector Plan
Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

6 years of experience in education, with a coordinating function
Experience in working in development country settings.
Working experience in education
Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
Strong writing and analytical skills
Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others) In addition, preference is given to candidates that:
Have worked in education in a development setting will be considered an asset;
Understand the Nepal education sector and government structure
Have previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;

Area(s) of expertise

Education, Development programmes

Driving license

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Nepalese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in the field of education or development.

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF Nepal; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF Nepal procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF Nepal in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF Nepal’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The UNV will be based in Kathmandu and will be provided with a desk and workspace within the MoEST’s DACS. Upon initiating the assignment, the UNV, the Chief of education and the UNICEF supervisor (the system strengthening output manager) will jointly agree on a workplan and share this with the head of the MoEST DACS. The UNV is expected to work 5 days a week (Monday to Friday) in the MOEST DACS and will in addition attend the bi-weekly Monday morning section meetings in UNICEF.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

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