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, the right to Education

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 favoritism. 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 fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, 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.

Purpose

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Chief of Education (P4), the Education Specialist will ensure the seamless programme, coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNICEF’s European Union Funded “Last Mile Connectivity of Schools”, the Dutch Funded “PROSPECTS” Integrated Projects, and will lead climate-resilient education system-related technical assistance and implementation. This will be done in close collaboration with other programme sections in UNICEF Kenya Country Office (including Innovation, Child Protection, WASH and Social Policy), respective field offices and involved partners.

Main Responsibilities

1. Support to Project Development, Planning and Coordination

Together with the Education Section Chief (Prospects and EU) and Innovation Manager (EU), represent the UNICEF team in donor/partnership negotiations, regular donor meetings, briefings, field missions and visibility/recognition efforts related to the EU Funded “Last Mile Connectivity of Schools” and Dutch Funded PROSPECTS Projects.
Strategic Programme Design: Engage in crucial programme planning discussions, through coordinating with different respective sections in setting clear joint priorities, targeting criteria and implementation plans for interventions in projects related to the EU and PROSPECTS projects, as well as work related to climate change and education, to create, maintain and maximize synergies.
Participate in strategic programme discussion on the planning of the assigned programmes/projects, particularly in establishing ties within and leveraging on different related activities in the 2 projects (and beyond) which are aligned to the original proposals and would enhance convergences across programme sections to maximize impact on children and young people and sustain the achieved results.
Establish and strengthen (existing) coordination structure within UNICEF and across partners to ensure smooth project implementation, documentation and proper communication.

2. Project Management, Implementation, Monitoring for Quality Delivery of Results

In collaboration with the technical leads, support the Education Section Chief in the overall project management of the EU Project (in collaboration with the Innovation Manager) and the education component of the PROSPECTS project. Arrange for the joint field visits to contribute to better programme integration for outcome achievements and convergence across different sections and different partners.
Actively assess/monitor progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and report them to the Chief of Education for timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant colleagues/management for timely resolution. Advise on corrective actions required to reach planned targets/results.
Participate in project monitoring and evaluation exercises, project reviews and annual reviews with Nairobi based staff, field-based staff, donors, government, and other counterparts to document lessons learnt and coordinate the communication of actions as needed.
Coordinate the quality and timely reporting of project results (technical and financial) in line with the Donor requirements.

3. Project Budget Management/Tracking

Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of financial resources (confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments and conditionality, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources).
Support the preparation of customized financial reports by coordinating timely, accurate and verified inputs and analysis of utilised funds per reporting period.

4. Technical and operational support to project implementation

Provide technical guidance, especially as it relates to climate change and education, to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners, and country office partners
Coordinate internally with the sections involved in the implementation of the assigned projects for efficient programme/project planning, implementation, and reporting: organize regular, monthly coordination meetings to deliver programme/project updates and proposals for key decisions, based on the previous deliberations and the approved accountability framework and strategic plans, following up on actions, circulating materials one week in advance and sharing minutes and requested documents.
Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and ensure that these are shared for timely actions.

5. Networking, Partnership Building, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building

Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, respective UN agencies, project consortia, national organizations, global partners, and donors through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results on the PROSPECTS and EU projects, as well as for climate change resilience in education.
Represent UNICEF in various relevant education, PROSPECTS and EU projects forums, as well as in climate coordination, to advocate for children’s rights and needs and ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the process and agenda setting.
Prepare briefings about status of the 2-project implementation as needed.
Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on education and related programmes/projects.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File TOR Education Specialist P3 Nairobi Kenya Final.pdf

To qualify an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Business Administration, Social Science, Education, International Development, Environment or any other related field.
Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Integrated/multisectoral programming, Coordination/Management, Partnership Development, UNICEF Experience or any other related field.
Skills: Knowledge in Multisectoral Programming, Project Coordination, Donor/Partner Relations is required.
Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Experience in Refugee Education, Education Program-Management, Skills Building, ECHO-PROSPECTS Experience, Humanitarian Experience is an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

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

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 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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reductions. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

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, P-3, Temporary Appointment, #00137675, Nairobi, Kenya