Education Program Officer (EPO) - 3 national consultants in field locations -12 months

UNICEF; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An international organization is seeking an Education Program Officer in Eastbourne to support education initiatives. This role involves coordinating educational programs, enhancing community partnerships, and advocating for children's rights. The ideal candidate has a university degree in a relevant field, extensive experience in education support, and must be fluent in English and Tok Pisin. The position is short-term with specific tasks to improve local education systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in education support or related fields.
• Relevant experience in PNG education institutions is an asset.
• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for the education program.
• Coordinate planning and monitoring of education activities.
• Support community partnerships and advocacy efforts.

Skills

Community mobilisation

Advocacy skills

Program planning

Communication skills

Monitoring and evaluation

Education

University degree in social/behavioral science

Job description

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Education

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference?

Background

Papua New Guinea has made notable progress in expanding access to education over recent decades, with more children enrolling in school across the country. However, the sector continues to face persistent challenges that affect retention, completion, transition, and learning outcomes. Net enrolment in 2019 was 85 per cent for elementary, 58 per cent for primary, and 20 per cent for secondary levels. Only 64 per cent of students successfully transitioned from the final grade of primary school to the first grade of secondary school.

Many children begin their education late, and repetition remains common. Gender disparities also widen as children progress through the system, with the gender parity ratio falling from 101 girls per 100 boys in preschool and elementary to 96 in primary and 75 in secondary. Learning outcomes remain a concern, with national assessments in 2021 showing that 34 per cent of Grade 5 students did not meet minimum reading proficiency, while 27 per cent did not meet minimum numeracy proficiency.

Within the UNICEF PNG Country Programme for 2024 to 2028, the overarching goal of the Education Programme is to ensure that increased numbers of school age children, especially adolescent girls, children with disabilities, and children affected by crises and disasters, attain foundational learning and progress through secondary education or vocational pathways. The programme also aims to support learners to gain essential life and work skills for meaningful participation in society.

PURPOSE OF ACTIVITY / ASSIGNMENT

To provide technical support to the Provincial Education Authorities and partners in the development, implementation, and monitoring of evidence based education program activities that advance the objectives of the UNICEF Papua New Guinea Education Programme.

The Education Program Officers (EPO) will play a key role in leading the coordination, planning, and implementation of the Smarter Safer Schools (3S) initiative and Global Partnership for Education (GPE) projects, while also supporting the delivery of UNICEF’s regular education programs. This position is critical for strengthening provincial education systems by improving local planning, monitoring, and supervision of education activities.

The EPOs will work closely with Provincial Education Authorities and partner CSOs to enhance data-driven decision-making, facilitate stronger school - community partnerships, and promote safer, more inclusive, and effective learning environments for all children. In addition, the role will contribute to building capacity at the provincial level, ensuring alignment with national education priorities, and fostering collaboration across sectors to achieve sustainable improvements in education outcomes.

SCOPE OF WORK/OBJECTIVES

Under the direct supervision and functional guidance of the Education Manager and Chief Field Office (where applicable), the EPOs will undertake the following key tasks as part of this assignment:

1. Support planning and coordination of education activities through existing PDOE systems and structure, working at home or at government office when needed.
2. Capacity building in School Learning Improvement Plans and quality improvement.
3. Conduct Advocacy, networking, and partnership building.
4. Monitoring and supportive supervision of education programs with PDOE support.
5. Support the introduction and implementation of digital and innovative monitoring tools.
6. Support selected UNICEF partners in coordination, implementation, and monitoring of community and school level education activities.
7. Ensure strong coordination and engagement with provincial initiatives on teacher support, foundational learning, inclusion, and the rollout of 1-6-6 structural reforms.
8. Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of adolescent skills and participation activities.
9. Coordinate Emergency preparedness and response activities.
10. Innovation, documentation, and knowledge management at provincial level.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

As a champion for every child, qualifications are…

Education

University degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations, public or environmental health or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

a. Necessary experience.

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: education support, community mobilisation, school supervision, social development, programme planning, behaviour change, advocacy, communication, or another related area.
• Relevant experience in PNG education institutions, NGOs, civil society organisations, or development programmes is an asset.

Language skills.

Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required. Knowledge of another local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

b. Other necessary/desirable skills/qualifications.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work in field and emergency environments.

c. Other requirements.

• Candidate must be a national of PNG.
• Candidate should preferably be from the same province where the position is located and should indicate the province/location name s/he is applying for in the application cover letter.
• Interested applicants must submit a cover letter together with their CV and performance evaluations.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.