Education Officer – Programme At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

1. General Background
Education is an integral part of protection for forcibly displaced people to UNHCR, 50 percent of whom are children. The Division of Resilience and Solutions (DRS) through its Education Section and in close collaboration with the Regional Bureaux and other relevant UNHCR divisions supports and promotes the provision of accessible quality education to forcibly displaced people. UNHCR’s work on education is guided by the Refugee Education Strategy 2030 which draws from such international frameworks as the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education. These frameworks emphasize the inclusion of refugee children in national education systems as a sustainable mechanism to meet displaced children’s educational needs, thus informing UNHCR education advocacy and implementation in this regard.

UNHCR is implementing a robust primary education programme across 22 countries aimed at transforming the lives of refugee children and youth by providing accessible, inclusive, and holistic education. The project focuses on improving educational opportunities for refugee children by addressing barriers to education, enhancing educational infrastructure, and promoting sustainable educational practices in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.

While the shift towards inclusion of refugee children has provided critical opportunities for increased access to education for refugees, inclusion in the national system remains a continuum for which greater efforts in advocacy and investment are needed.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The Education Officer-Programme will be part of the Primary Education team at the Education Section at HQ based in Copenhagen, Denmark. S/he will work under the guidance of the Education Officer (Primary Education) and the overall supervision of the Basic Education Team Lead and Chief of Education Section, DRS.

The Education Officer will support the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the Primary Education Programme. This role involves working closely with internal and external stakeholders, including UNHCR divisions, regional education advisors, country offices, implementing partners, and government bodies. The Education Officer – Programme will ensure the project meets its objectives, maintains high standards, and contributes to the long-term educational goals for refugee children.

The incumbent will assist and contribute to the work of the basic education team including the following areas of focus:

i. Increased access and improved quality
ii. Safer schools and
iii. increased inclusion

3. Key tasks
Project Management and Coordination
• Coordinate with the Education Officer on the design, planning, and implementation of project activities.
• Coordinate with UNHCR divisions, regional education advisors, and country offices to ensure cohesive project delivery.
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with UNICEF, UNESCO, and various NGOs to align efforts and prevent service duplication.

Stakeholder Engagement
• Promote community engagement through Parent Teacher Associations and School Management Committees.
• Foster partnerships with private sector entities to enhance project sustainability.

Capacity Building
• Organize training sessions for UNHCR staff, educators, and implementing partners.
• Support professional development for teachers and educational personnel.
• Enhance local capacities in monitoring, evaluation, and data management as related to programme management, and in alignment with institutional approaches on reporting and data.

Resource Management
• Assist in efficient allocation and utilization of project resources.
• Assist in preparing and monitoring project budgets, contributing to financial accountability and transparency. Develop funding proposals and support donor relations to secure ongoing project support.

4. Qualifications and Experience
Education
• Degree in Education, Social Sciences, or a relevant field.

Work Experience
• 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Key Competencies
Essential
• At least 4 years of experience in progressively responsible functions in education.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated work experience in managing education programmes.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrated knowledge of primary education curriculum and pedagogy.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership and coordination skills.
• Field experience in education programme management, implementation, and coordination in humanitarian and/or development contexts.
• Strong communications/presentation skills.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Commitment to the principles of the United Nations and the mission of UNHCR.

Desirable
• Experience in education-related advocacy and policy development.
• Knowledge and experience of UNHCR policies and standards.
• Experience with educational research, teaching, or education administration.
• Knowledge of French.