Mission and objectivesUNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work to translate that commitment into practical action, especially for the most disadvantaged children. In the Pacific we work in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: These 14 Pacific island countries are home to 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and youth, living on more than 660 islands and atolls stretching across 17.2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean, an area comparable to the combined size of the United States of America and Canada. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu are classified as Fragile States according to World Bank/OECD criteria. All 14 Pacific island countries have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but only a third are on track with reporting obligations.
ContextUNICEF is mandated to uphold the rights of every child and to help every girl and boy survive, learn, and thrive. UNICEF Pacific operates as a Multi-Country Programme headquartered in Suva, Fiji, working with 14 Pacific Island countries and territories across Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The Education programme supports governments to build inclusive, equitable, and resilient learning systems aligned with national plans and Sustainable Development Goal 4, recognizing the Pacificโs unique geography, cultural diversity, and exposure to climate and disaster risks. Across the region, education systems face shared challenges: dispersed populations and remote schooling, variable access to early learning, uneven foundational literacy and numeracy, and infrastructure and connectivity constraints. At the same time, there is strong momentum to strengthen policies, planning, and service delivery that improve quality and equity, from early childhood through secondary education, while ensuring gender and disability inclusion. Partnerships with ministries, development partners, communities, and youth are central to this effort, along with respectful engagement that reflects Pacific knowledge and identity. Evidence generation and use are core to UNICEF Pacificโs approach. Administrative and learning data (e.g., EMIS, examinations and assessments, household surveys), research, and routine monitoring help governments and partners understand who is learning, where gaps persist, and which approaches work in context. Clear internal knowledge practices, reliable data stewardship, and timely, accessible communication of insights support more coherent planning, stronger accountability, and adaptive management. Sharing Pacific-centered stories and lessons learned further enables advocacy and policy dialogue that translates evidence into action for children.
Task Description1. Data & Information Management Design and implement a SharePoint structure with clear folders, naming conventions, permissions, and version control. Draft and roll out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for file management and knowledge sharing. Establish and maintain a repository of education datasets (EMIS, learning assessments, MICS), including metadata, codebooks, and update cycles. Conduct regular quality checks on datasets to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with UNICEF standards. Train colleagues on SharePoint use and data stewardship practices. 2. Programme Planning & Reporting Maintain the master Excel workplan tracker and update UNICEFโs online workplan system. Conduct consistency checks across workplans, grant agreements, HR plans, and supply plans. Support the preparation of annual results reporting (CSI, RAM, donor reports) with accurate data and aligned narratives. Develop and update indicator frameworks to track programme performance. Consolidate inputs from multiple countries and partners into clear, evidence-based reporting. 3. Evidence Products & Storytelling Produce short evidence briefs, dashboards, and case studies tailored to programme reviews, donor reporting, and planning. Design visual summaries (infographics, simple data dashboards in Excel/Power BI) to highlight key results and trends. Co-develop human-centered stories that celebrate education successes and challenges across Pacific Island countries. Package evidence into communication materials for advocacy, resource mobilization, and policy dialogue. 4. Partnerships & Capacity Strengthening Work closely with Ministries of Education to co-produce and validate datasets and evidence products. Provide hands-on support and training for UNICEF colleagues and ministry focal points on data use, reporting tools, and evidence-based planning. Facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions across UNICEF Pacific offices to promote consistent practices in data and reporting. 5. Pacific-Centered Approaches Ensure all products and processes are culturally sensitive, inclusive of Pacific languages and values. Highlight equity-focused analysis (e.g., gender, disability, rural-urban, climate-affected communities). Integrate climate and small-island vulnerabilities into evidence products and education planning.
Competencies and valuesโข Values: Care; Respect; Integrity; Trust; Accountability; Sustainability. โข Core competencies (UNICEF): o Builds and maintains partnerships (1) o Works collaboratively with others (2) o Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1) o Innovates and embraces change (1) o Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) o Thinks and acts strategically (2)
Living conditions and remarksFiji is generally stable and welcoming. Suva is the administrative and commercial hub with good amenities, though petty crime can occur, standard precautions apply and UNDSS guidance must be followed. International access is via Nadi (with frequent domestic connections to Suva); inter-island travel uses domestic flights and ferries. Climate is tropical maritime: warm and humid year-round, with a wet/cyclone season roughly NovemberโApril that can bring flooding and occasional power/water interruptions; preparedness is essential. Cost of living is moderate to high for imported goods; local markets offer abundant fresh produce. Urban utilities (electricity, water, internet) are broadly reliable but occasional outages occur, especially during severe weather. Mobile networks and broadband are widely available in Suva; connectivity can be slower or patchy on outer islands. Health services include public hospitals and private clinics. Banking services and ATMs are widely available; local currency is FJD. Cultural awareness is important: Fiji values community, respect for elders, and observance of local protocols: dress modestly in villages, seek permission before photography, and follow kava/meeting customs. Business attire is generally smart-casual. Alcohol is available, but discretion is expected, particularly in villages and on Sundays. Fiji is a unique Pacific setting and UNICEF Pacific a distinctive operation. It offers a rich and rewarding environment, yet calls for cultural humility, flexibility, and resilience, especially during cyclone season and when travelling to remote areas. Stamina, adaptability, and a commitment to respectful engagement are essential.