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.

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How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this assignment is to support UNICEF and UNHCR in strengthening the strategic approach and the implementation of the Strategic Collaboration Framework (SCF) through the documentation, analysis, and consolidation of practical country-level experiences and reporting on refugee inclusion into national education systems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and through country specific programme.

The assignment will generate actionable operational learning, identify scalable and replicable approaches, and strengthen shared understanding of effective collaboration modalities between UNICEF, UNHCR, governments, and partners. Through the development of country case studies, analytical synthesis, and contributions to a joint Theory of Change (ToC), the consultancy will help translate global commitments under the SCF and PROSPECTS Phase 2 MAGRP Education Pillar into practical guidance for country-level implementation.

The consultancy will also contribute to documenting and analysing the experience of the PROSPECTS partnership as a key platform for advancing refugee inclusion and resilience-building in host countries. In particular, the assignment will examine how PROSPECTS-supported interventions have strengthened access to quality and inclusive education, supported systems strengthening, enhanced coordination among humanitarian and development actors, and promoted pathways for adolescents and youth through skills development and transition opportunities. Drawing on lessons learned across participating countries, the consultancy will identify promising practices, operational bottlenecks, and opportunities for scaling integrated approaches that link education, protection, and socioeconomic inclusion within national systems

Lastly, the assignment will support joint strategic reflection and planning by facilitating evidence-informed dialogue on comparative advantages, coordination mechanisms, systems strengthening, and pathways for sustainable inclusion of refugee children and youth into national education systems across the countries. The outputs are expected to inform future joint planning processes, including the development of a potential joint roadmap and regional follow-up initiatives beyond 2026.

Under the supervision of UNICEF and in close coordination with UNHCR counterparts, the consultant will provide technical support to strengthen joint UNICEF–UNHCR collaboration under the Strategic Collaboration Framework (SCF) and the PROSPECTS Phase 2 MAGRP Education Pillar, with a particular focus on refugee inclusion into national education systems in the MENA region.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File ToR Education Consultant.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Education, International Development, Social Sciences, Public Policy, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in education in emergencies, refugee education, education systems strengthening, and/or children on the move programming.
Demonstrated experience working with UN agencies, international organizations, governments, and development or humanitarian partners.
Proven experience in developing analytical reports, case studies, operational guidance, and strategic knowledge products.
Strong experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations, workshops, and inter-agency collaboration processes.
Experience working in the MENA region and/or PROSPECTS countries is considered a strong asset.
Previous experience working with UNICEF and/or UNHCR is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluent in English. Excellent language skills in both oral and written. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Strong technical expertise in refugee inclusion in national education systems and education systems strengthening.
Excellent understanding of humanitarian-development nexus approaches, education in emergencies, and refugee response coordination mechanisms.
Strong knowledge of UNICEF and UNHCR mandates, operational frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration processes.
Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative research, case study documentation, analytical synthesis, and operational learning reviews.
Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and consultation skills.
Excellent analytical, drafting, and report-writing skills.
Ability to translate operational lessons into practical guidance, tools, and strategic recommendations.
Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines.
Strong knowledge of results-based management, monitoring indicators, and Theory of Change development.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirables:

Prior experience supporting implementation of the UNICEF–UNHCR Strategic Collaboration Framework (SCF), PROSPECTS, or similar refugee inclusion initiatives.
Experience developing toolkits, operational guidance, SOPs, and joint planning frameworks.
Experience working on refugee inclusion in EMIS, certification, accreditation, and national education policy processes.
Familiarity with the UNHCR Inclusion Continuum and UNICEF guidance on children on the move.
Experience supporting regional or cross-country learning initiatives and comparative analysis.

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 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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template): Financial Proposal xx3625.docx

Remarks:

If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

EDUCATION CONSULTANT; Global Programme Division (GPD)-Education,12 months, CoE Amman, Jordan; (Remote) #594063