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For every child, the right to education

UNICEF’s Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) serves twelve English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. As part of UNICEF's Future Focus Initiative, the Caribbean MCO brings together policy influence, technical expertise and strategic partnerships to advance results for children across the region through one integrated programme, one management structure and a shared pool of resources. The Multi-Country Programme 2027-2031 focuses on three shared outcomes: equitable access to primary health care, learning and skills; protection of children from all forms of violence; and child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening.

Children across the Caribbean face interconnected challenges including learning losses, mental health concerns, violence, child poverty and increasing exposure to climate-related disasters. Despite many countries being classified as upper-middle or high income, significant inequalities persist, particularly for vulnerable children, adolescents, indigenous communities and those living in remote areas. Small island developing states also face fiscal constraints and heightened vulnerability to economic and climate shocks, requiring stronger regional cooperation and system-based solutions.

The Caribbean MCO’s management strategy is governed by four principles that together translate the new business model into concrete ways of working:

Impact-driven: technical expertise is organized in shared multi-country working groups rather than replicated in each country, with enabling functions aligned around UNICEF’s strongest comparative advantages.
Effective and agile: parallel country ecosystems are replaced by harmonized systems and flexible cross-country staffing, keeping management lean and decisions close to implementation.
Grounded: regional scale is balanced with national depth through country-specific workplans, Heads of Office in each duty station, and matrix management that anchors authority and accountability at country level.
People-centered: structural and managerial choices are guided by staff wellbeing, transparency and inclusion, with clear role definitions, meaningful consultation, and continuous investment in learning and development.

The operational expression of this model is the working group model. Rather than replicating similar roles across four separate country offices, technical and operational expertise is organized into 16 thematic and functional working groups, each distributed across different duty stations and each serving the full 12-country MCO — not just its host location. Roles are designed around three organizing principles: shared regional service, meaning every specialist contributes to the wider MCO; complementary expertise, meaning team capabilities reinforce each other rather than repeating the same profile in multiple places; and agile presence, meaning the workforce can be rapidly deployed across countries through travel, surge support or remote modalities in line with evolving needs and priorities. This working group model is the foundation of a fundamentally new way of working for UNICEF in the Caribbean: depth replaces duplication, and shared capacity replaces fragmented country-by-country coverage

The Education Specialist (Policy and Budget) is part of the Equitable and resilient services for primary health care, learning and skills working group. This group leads the implementation of the CPD outcome on equitable and resilient services that boost children’s nutrition, mental health, learning and skills, by strengthening health and education systems to deliver integrated PHC, nutrition, MHPSS and quality basic and secondary education for all children and adolescents. Its function is to translate this priority into integrated policy packages, service delivery models and scalable solutions across the subregion, ensuring that equity, inclusion and climate-resilience are embedded in the expansion of health and education services and that socio-emotional learning and future-ready skills are systematically advanced in all 12 countries.

The team is led by the Assistant Representative for Equitable and Resilient Services for Primary Health, Learning and Skills (Belize) and includes seven NOC Specialists. The specialist profiles have been defined directly against the CPD outputs under this outcome, so that each post is anchored in a specific strand of work (early learning, foundational learning, policy and public finance, PHC/MHPSS, PHC/nutrition and Early Childhood Development), while together they form a complementary skills mix that covers the full range of expertise required to achieve the intended results. The working group is comprised of the following: Education Specialist (Early Learning) in Belize, Education Specialist (ECD) in Suriname, Education Specialist (Foundational Learning & Skills) in Guyana, Education Specialist (Policy & Budget) in Barbados, Health Specialist (Primary Health Care & Mental Health) in Suriname, Health Specialist (Policy & Budget) in Jamaica, and Health Specialist (Primary Health Care & Nutrition) in Barbados.

How can you make a difference?

The Education Specialist (Policy & Budget), reports to the Assistant Representative for Equitable and Resilient Services for Primary Health, Learning and Skills, P4, located in Belize, in close day-to day coordination with the in-country Lead in Barbados.

The Education Specialist (Policy and Budget) provides specialized technical expertise in education policy development, education system financing, costing analysis, and public budget advocacy for children across the Caribbean MCO. The role operates at a strategic register — supporting the development of evidence-based education policy, tracking education budget allocations, and engaging regional education bodies to advance systemic improvement in learning outcomes, reduce inequities and ensure sustainable financing for education sector priorities. The Specialist supports government counterparts and partners in translating evidence into policies, strategies, and programmes that contribute to child survival, growth, development, and resilience.

Working in close collaboration with the Social Policy Specialist responsible for public finance for children, the incumbent contributes education-sector analysis to broader work on fiscal space, public financial management, equity and financing. The Specialist also supports education authorities to strengthen the policy and financing foundations for quality, inclusive and resilient education, including early and foundational learning, socio-emotional and future-ready skills, accessibility for children with disabilities, continuity of learning, and shock- and climate-resilient education systems.

Based in Barbados and serving all 12 programme countries, the position supports UNICEF engagement with national governments, regional institutions, international financing institutions, development partners, civil society and academia. The role contributes to regional policy dialogue, harmonized approaches, knowledge exchange and resource mobilization, including engagement with CARICOM, OECS, UNESCO, development banks and other relevant partners, to advance equitable education systems and improved learning and skills outcomes for children and adolescents.

The Education Specialist (Policy and Budget) contributes to the achievement of education results across the Caribbean Multi-Country Programme (MCP) and supports collective action, knowledge exchange, innovation, and cross-country collaboration to advance shared programme priorities and outcomes throughout the Multi-Country Office.

The key functions and accountabilities are:

Technical leadership on Education Policy, Financing and System reform
Strengthening education sector policy, planning, budgeting, and accountability frameworks.
Strengthened advocacy and partnerships for education policy, financing, and systems strengthening
Policy Advocacy, Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Cross-Sectoral Policy Integration and Regional Coordination

This position belongs to the Equitable and Resilient Services for Primary Health, Learning and Skills working group. If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: NOC Education Specialist(Policy and Budget) Barbados.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s degree) in education, economics, social sciences, public finance, public policy, social sciences, public administration, development studies, or another relevant field. A specialization in education financing, education economics, sector planning, or public financial management is highly desirable.

Work Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience in education and development, with a strong focus on education policy, sector planning, public financing, budgeting, and education systems strengthening. Experience supporting the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of education policies, sector strategies, reform initiatives, or programmes and aimed at improving access, equity, quality, and learning outcome. Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, public expenditure analysis, education sector planning, budgeting, or resource allocation are required.

Technical Knowledge and Skills required:

Substantive knowledge of education sector policy and systems strengthening, including education governance, sector planning, public financing, budgeting, resource allocation, accountability frameworks, and strategies to improve learning outcomes and system performance.
Strong knowledge of education financing, public expenditure analysis, budget impact assessment, and financial forecasting models, including education sector costing, resource allocation, fiscal sustainability analysis, and medium-term expenditure planning.
Knowledge of child-sensitive public finance/public financial management as applied to education.
Understanding of education systems strengthening and education sector reform, with demonstrated ability to translate evidence into policies, sector strategies, implementation frameworks, financing plans, and scalable government-led interventions that improve access, equity, quality, and learning outcomes.
Understanding of the global and regional education context, including issues such as foundational learning, early childhood education, inclusive education, learning poverty, skills development, education in emergencies, gender equality, disability inclusion, digital learning, climate resilience, and barriers to educational participation and achievement.
Knowledge of global trends, UNICEF and international education frameworks and strategies, including Sustainable. Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) agenda, foundational learning, education system transformation, education financing, and rights-based and equity-focused programming.
Ability to support policy dialogue, translating analytical findings and evidence into policy recommendations, education sector reforms, financing strategies, investment cases, budget proposals, and programme interventions that improve education system performance and learning outcomes.
Strong analytical and technical writing skills, including preparation of policy briefs, technical guidance, programme documents and evidence-based recommendations.
Strong coordination and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple reporting relationships and geographic contexts.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:.

Demonstrated experience supporting or contributing to education sector analyses, education public expenditure reviews, sector financing studies, costed education sector plans, investment cases, budget impact analyses, and fiscal space assessments.
Proven experience supporting education sector reform processes related to education financing, sector governance, system transformation, learning recovery, teacher development, inclusive education, or foundational learning.
Experience in a similar function across geographically dispersed duty stations is considered an asset.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or international organization is considered an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts

Eligibility Requirement:

Candidates applying for National Officer positions must hold the nationality of the duty station country where the position is located, except for UNICEF internal candidates, holding a fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointment and are legally authorized to work in that country, independently of UNICEF appointment, and as per the UNICEF Staff Selection Procedure.

UNICEF internal candidates must hold and upload a valid CARICOM Skills Certificate when applying to positions located in a CARICOM Member State outside of their country of nationality and are accountable for taking the respective steps for the verification of the certificate in the Duty Station, immediately upon arrival to the new Duty Station if selected for the position, in accordance with applicable immigration and employment requirements of the respective Country.

Note: While the Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean serves 12 English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries, the selected candidate will be based in the duty station indicated for this position and is expected to perform their duties from that location, consistent with organizational policies and operational requirements.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable. Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, candidates that meet all the requirements and are legally allowed to work in the respective DS are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Education Specialist (Policy & Budget), NOC, FT, #138583, Bridgetown, Barbados, Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean