Deputy Director of Education (Curriculum & Teaching)

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Deputy Director of Education (Curriculum & Teaching) reports to the Director of Education. ResponsibilitiesCoordinates closely with the Education Department Director and Deputy Director of Education (Programme), field office education staff including the Chiefs of Field Education Programme, to ensure curricular and teaching alignment with human rights, UN values and UNESCO standards in UNRWA schools across the Agency and plays a leading and strategic role in further developing and leading the review process relating to curriculum and teaching materials. Leads on the establishment and oversight of curriculum review, curriculum policy and framework revisions, developing and maintaining supplementary teaching and learning materials, including digital materials, and the implementation of monitoring mechanisms relating to the effective classroom use of materials and teacher support, including pre-service and in-service training, in alignment with UN values and UNESCO Standards, across the five fields. This includes, but is not limited to, holding responsibility for the UNRWA Curriculum Framework and Teacher Policy, and ensuring their regular review. Collaborates with the Deputy Director of Education (Programme) and works closely with other senior education team members on planning and reporting related to curriculum, teaching and learning matters, including in emergency response, ensuring strategic alignment with Agency goals. Leads the efforts to integrate human rights, conflict resolution and tolerance throughout UNRWA’s education programmes and in UNRWA schools, and supports the transition to a gender-responsive Global Citizenship Education. Establishes a system for monitoring the impact of teaching of human rights, peace, tolerance, and conflict resolution, the incorporation of UN values across all teaching practice in all five fields. Oversees the teacher training and development programmes to ensure all teachers are well equipped to teach the curriculum and education programmes , have a high level of mastery of the substance of the curriculum, as well as a deep understanding of the underpinning UN values and UNESCO standards they are to convey during their classes. Coordinates with other UN agencies, international NGOs and global organisations, on a national, regional and global level relating to curriculum, teaching and learning matters; and supports the Director and senior technical field office staff in engaging with Ministries of Education at national level on curriculum, teaching, and learning matters. Ensures that UNRWA curriculum, teaching, and learning materials and processes are inclusive, gender-responsive and that children with disabilities are increasingly mainstreamed in UNRWA schools through policy advancements, strategic partnerships, and robust monitoring systems and technical support to the five fields. Substantively contributes to the governance of the Education Programme, and ensuring that governance documents reflect UN values and UNESCO standards, through the development, implementation, revision and monitoring of education policies, strategies and Educational Technical Instructions relating to curriculum, teaching, and learning matters. Plays a lead role in resource mobilization and in overseeing all aspects of curriculum and teaching in UNRWA’s basic education programme, financial and budget planning and implementation related to curriculum, teaching and learning technical work coordinating with the Deputy Director of Education (Programme) and other senior staff. Oversees and advises on the implementation of curriculum review initiatives across UNRWA's five fields of operation. Leads and ensures the effective and efficient implementation of project funds through out the project management cycle across the Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning Division. Represents the Director of Education on special and ad-hoc assignments; acts for the Director of Education and/or the Deputy Director of Education (Programme) during their absence. CompetenciesUN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Creating and Maintaining Impact and Change Demonstrating self-awareness Planning and Organizing Adapting and Responding to Change Relating and Networking Leading and Supervising Ability to think strategically and to manage and drive change Positive attitude and strong interpersonal and communication skills EducationAn advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in education with a focus on curriculum, teaching and learning is required. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least ten years of work experience in the field of education, preferably in direct relationship to curriculum, teaching, and learning systems and/or materials development and review for basic education at a UN, multilateral or bilateral international organization, or ministry of education is required. At least five years of relevant experience outside one’s home country, in a development and/or humanitarian context in education programme implementation and operational management, is required. At least five years of relevant work experience at a high managerial level is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Work experience in the design and/or review of curriculum, teaching, and learning materials and monitoring mechanisms related thereof is desirable. Knowledge of educational issues in the Middle East is desirable. Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member(corporate, academic, etc.), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc.), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs., owning business, work for gov/NGO/private company/charity, partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A \"yes\" answer doesn't necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. PhD in education is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. LanguagesExcellent command of written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent will be based in Amman and may be required to travel throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East or beyond. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system Inspira will be considered, and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions will not be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post, when the need arises. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/ United Nations ConsiderationsStaff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.