Mission and objectivesUNICEF has been working in Liberia for close to 30 years, turning our vision for children into practical action. With our child-focused mandate, country presence and operational capacity, we support the Government of Liberia and other partners to help every child reach their full potential. The goal of our current country programme for 2013-2019 is to: Make sure that every child and adolescent has access to basic education and a variety of post-basic education and improved learning outcomes. Improve the health, nutrition and welfare of children and women on an equitable basis. Increase access to the basics of life โ safe water, sanitation and hygiene Protect the poorest and most vulnerable children and women from all forms of violence. Our interventions are supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation system that helps us track and improve results for children. Behaviour change communication is a key strategy across all our programmes, while advocacy and resource mobilization ensure that policies and funding are in place to bring about positive change for children in Liberia.
ContextThe UNV will support UNICEF Liberia in the provision of technical support to the education sector generally and specifically, to the development and implementation of the Information Management System (EMIS). The purpose of providing support to EMIS and implementation of related interventions is to strengthen evidence-based policy development, implementation and sector coordination. The education sector in Liberia faces many challenges including poor access, with approximately 50% of the children out of school. These are mostly adolescent girls who also face many social cultural barriers and widespread gender-based violence; the sector is faced with poor learning outcomes and an education system that has been affected by a decade of civil conflict, pandemics including the Ebola and the more recent COVID-19 pandemic. The education system is faced by challenges including low human and institutional capacity. A key challenge is the lack of data for education planning. Only two school annual school censuses have been conducted since 2015, creating challenges for accurate planning. This assignment will support UNICEF assistance to the Ministry of Education (MOE) in the development and implementation of the education information management system to support planning, policy advocacy and reporting. The following is a summary of key tasks and functions: โข Technical support for the programme to lead the development and implementation of information management systems for education programme advocacy, development and planning. โข Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results including institutional partnerships and grant management. โข Technical and operational support for evidence-driven, quality programme implementation to integrate and harness information management or the education response including data collection, analysis, storage, use and dissemination. โข Education sector networking and partnership building. โข Innovations in education including integration of digital learning and related technologies, knowledge management and capacity building. Reporting to the Chief of Education, the UNV EMIS and Policy Support Specialist will collaborate closely with the Ministries of Education and Youth and Sports as well as major Development Partners most especially the EU, World Bank, UNESCO and UNIDO to ensure the successful implementation of education information management systems, through technical support management for capacity enhancement in this area, improved intergovernmental processes and partner relations.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief of Education, the UNV EMIS and Policy Support specialist will undertake the following summary tasks and functions: 1. Provide support to programme development and planning with specific reference to education information management systems and conduct of research for evidence-based policy advocacy and development. โข Oversee UNICEF technical support to the design and implementation of a robust Education information management architecture (EMIS and Annual School Census) for collecting and analysing data from different sources. This includes partner development of analytical frameworks complying to global standards; integrating Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) indicators from multi-sector sources; establishment and implementation of data governance standards and data collection tools to ensure data quality, integrity, compliance and consistency across all data systems including partner generated data. โข Contribute to the preparation and updating of the situation analysis for the development, design, and management of education related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (economic, social, health etc.) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results. โข Contribute to the development and establishment of Education programme goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and goal setting. โข Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results. 2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results including grant management: โข Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to collect, analyse and share information on implementation issues. Support both internal and external management of the education management information systems research and evaluation portfolio: Specifically develop management, and monitoring tools for effective implementation of information management systems; support coordination between key implementation parties; support reporting mechanism and maintain regular reporting mechanism among partners. โข Specifically provide administrative and management support to the EU funded Education information Management grant: provide management support to related contracts/partnerships; conduct relevant monitoring; support grant management including the provision of data and statistics for all grant management and reporting needs. โข Suggest solutions on routine education programme implementation and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned. โข Monitor the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation, 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. โข Prepare draft inputs for programme/donor reporting. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, conduct programmatic monitoring visits, programme 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. 3. Provide technical and operational support to programme implementation to integrate and harness information management including data collection, analysis, storage, use and dissemination. โข Assist in strategic and operational decision-making by coordinating the government counterparts from line ministries and relevant development partners in ensuring quality and availability of educational data. Technical support provision in the development of an analytical framework and subsequently support to capacity building, data collection, processing and analysis. โข Provide technical support to UNICEF, partners and government in the design, implementation, compilation/harmonization, reporting and dissemination of findings of learning assessments at various levels aimed at determining the status of student learning outcomes in Liberia. โข Provide technical support in data presentation and dissemination in the formats most useful for utilization by government and partners including appropriate visualization and mapping technologies. โข Undertake field visits and surveys and share information with stakeholders to assess progress and refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results. 4. Networking and partnership building โข Provide support to the education section in building and sustain effective close working partnerships with and between government counterparts, development partners and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on education programmes. To specifically support collaboration between MOE and the Ministry of Youth on the education information management systems and related vocational technical training interventions. โข Work in close collaboration with communication section to provide content updates for UNICEF and donor visibility. Specifically support advocacy agenda for the EU/EMIS funded project aimed at improving the visibility of TVET and legislative frameworks. Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances, and support fund raising for education programmes. โข Participate in and manage UNICEF inter-agency collaboration including joint programming, advocacy, coordination, meetings and events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners on planning and preparation of education programmes/projects. To specifically support ongoing and planned inter-agency collaboration on EMIS with UNIDO/UNESCO and on Adolescent Girls with UNFPA with the view to integrate and harmonize strategies. To also manage the major development partner contributors to the EMIS portfolio including the World Bank and the USAID supported systems strengthening Agency (ESSA). โข Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes. 5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building . Contribute to evidence-based policy development, advocacy through the conduct of operational and/or implementation research. Through the above, to support testing of innovative approaches, identifying, capturing, synthesizing, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge generation and capacity development of stakeholders. To specifically support a Community of Practice on Evidence generation (COP+E) constituting a partnership of the academia, policy makers and practitioners. . Provide support to ongoing educational innovations including the implementation of two digital learning platforms: a radio-based platform that supports home based learning and learning continuity; and the Learning Passport Initiative (LP) to support blended learning. The position will also support school based real time information management systems all aimed at strengthening learning continuity systems, learning effectiveness as well as child level monitoring. . Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders. To specifically build capacity on information management tools and data analysis processes for education sector partners to enhance their knowledge and skills to effectively undertake education data collection, analysis and presentation.
Competencies and valuesโข Respect for Diversity: Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible. โข Integrity: Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; im-mediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority. โข Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results, shows pride in work and in achievements, is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns, shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, remains calm in stressful situations โข Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments, delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards, operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules, supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments, takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. โข Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures in-formation to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way. โข Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands โข Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares in-formation and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well. โข Drive for results: Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harass-ment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Living conditions and remarksLiving in Liberia offers a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The country is known for its friendly and resilient people who have a strong sense of community. No notable cultural inhibitions or drees code. Liberia's coastline features stunning beaches, and its lush rainforests are home to diverse wildlife. In recent years, there have been notable improvements in infra-structure and access to clean water. It is a level C station which means it is a family duty station with basic amenities and accommodation, which however also requires a level of flexibility, ability and willingness to work with minimum of challenges. 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: โข 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); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข 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.