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Purpose of Assignment: Technical support to UNICEF Kisumu Zonal Office

Location of Assignment: Kisumu, with potential travel to related counties

Duration of contract :4 months

Background and Justification:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF Internal Work Plan: Improved Early Learning & Basic Education:

• Outcome: Improved Early Learning and Education: An increased proportion of children aged 0 to 18, especially girls from most disadvantaged counties, informal settlements and those affected by humanitarian crisis, access quality, gender- sensitive ECD and education services, with increased transition to secondary education.
• Output: Increased enrolment and retention of girls and boys in pre-primary, primary and secondary education, particularly in the ASAL counties and informal settlements, targeting parents, teachers, communities and other partners to support children
• Output: MoE has improved capacity to develop, review and implement gender-equitable education policy, including curriculum reform and strengthened information management, to improve learning outcomes and develop life skill for employment for girls and boys
• Output: An increased number of counties have capacity to implement integrated ECD packages, including health, nutrition, WASH, protection, HIV and early learning for children 0- 6 years of age, in line with national standards and policy
• Output: Government and non-government partners adopt risk-informed approaches to emergency preparedness, planning and response to humanitarian needs of the education sector

Scope of Work:

The overall aim of the position is to support the basic education in Kisumu Zonal Office. Under the general supervision of the Chief of Field Office based in Kisumu, and in close technical collaboration with the Chief of Education, responsible officer will provide professional technical contribution to education programmes/projects design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and progress reporting. Commitment for enhancement of gender-sensitive teamwork and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country programme goals and strategy focusing on Early Childhood Education, Emergency Education, primary education and children with special needs.

Programme/Project Management:

Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Education programmes and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, including gender disaggregation at county and sub county level. Work with the county and sub-county/district counterparts from all relevant inter-sectoral departments as well as communities to design and develop annual work plans for the assigned county and sub-county within education programs.

Project Efficiency and Effectiveness:

Enhance project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation, follow-on activities with various implementing partners, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance and Education project status.

Undertake regular field visits to project counties and sub counties to monitor UNICEF supply and cash assistance. Provide technical assistance to counties and sub-counties counterparts in the implementation of all activities planned by Education section in the assigned counties. Support Operationalization and expansion of ECDE, education in emergency, and mainstream education. Support in conducting periodic project implementation reviews with MOE officials, County officials, CBOs, and NGO’s and prepare relevant reports and draft recommendations for changes in the county work plan as required.

Work Plan and Project Documentation:

Mobilize all education stakeholders and facilitate stronger partnership for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of costed education strategic plan for the targeted counties. Analyse collected data and information and prepare progress reports including monitoring and reporting disintegrated indicators. Support MOE and target counties to use NEMIS for planning and monitoring Education project work plans. Assist in identification of required supplies and equipment. Support public education campaigns for creating greater awareness on educating girls and on the responsibilities of parent & communities in providing quality education to all children. Provide support to target counties in advocacy and implementation of Integrated Early Childhood Development including scale up or Model IECD, birth registration and implementation Nurturing Care Framework.

Project Implementation Information and Data:

Initiate systematic follow-up actions for timely liquidation of Cash Assistance to counties. Evaluate and analyse financial and supply reports to ensure appropriateness of documentation, expenditure on project activities are within allotments. Report to supervisor/section head the outcome of review. Provide monthly briefs on progress and on emergencies as needed. Follow up on queries, including with government and by partners, or initiate corrective action on discrepancies. Assist County Level Education counterparts in developing overall capacity and in conducting rapid assessment at the time of emergencies, contribute to the development of appropriate responses, facilitate distribution of and monitoring end use of emergency education supplies. Update regularly the Emergency Focal Point/Officer on situation in areas of risk or affected and ensure smooth coordination of responses

Knowledge Sharing: Document good practices and draft relevant section(s) of program report, for management and for annual report.

Timeframe: The assignment is expected to be completed in 160 days, between March 2019 to June 2019.

Deliverables:

Overall the successful candidate will hold the fort for the Education Officer who is away on Stretch Assignment. Specifically, in consultation with the Chief of Education and Chief of Kisumu Zonal Office the consultant will conduct a development of an action plan based on the scope of work and identify key deliverables including:

• Support data compilation and development of accurate fact sheets for the Kisumu Region. Specifically prepare and share periodic situation analysis of the education status in target counties including regular collection and analysis of education data and indicators
• Support county-level planning of education services in UNICEF Kisumu Zonal Office counties (assessment, consultations, capacity development, monitoring, policy implementation).
• Coordinate and monitor ongoing activities at the ECD, primary and secondary levels and ensure that quality according to national standards.
• Support and advocate for birth registration in select counites
• Engagement with MOE and the County Government on upstream and downstream activities
• Conduct HACT related Activities
• Support Capacity building of ECD personnel on CBC
• Provide inputs in the donor reports and proposals as per the need.
• Other education related duties based on the scope of work mentioned above

Required qualifications, desired competencies, technical background and experience:

• Education University Degree in Education, Early Childhood Development, Social Sciences, Psychology, or other relevant to international development/social science field related to technical field is required.
• Experience: Five (5) years progressively, responsible professional work experience at national and international levels in programme planning and management in related field with emphasis on Education, Education in Emergencies and integrated early childhood development programmes

Specialist skills and attributes:

• Understanding of national and international targets (SDGs) and Kenya Education system
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with County Level Government
• Planning and monitoring skills; ability to organize work and projects.
• Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions and to work as a team under pressure
• Demonstrate ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.
• Ability to work at sub-nationals and community levels especially

Languages: Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of Kiswahili is an added advantage.

Source:https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=520334