Contract Duration- 11 months

Working arrangement: Office Based

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.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the Provincial Education Authorities and partners in the development, implementation, and monitoring of evidence-based education programme activities that advance the objectives of the UNICEF Papua New Guinea Education Programme.

Education Programme Consultants will play a key role in leading the coordination, planning, and implementation of the Smarter Safer Schools (3S) initiative and Global Partnership for Education (GPE) projects, while also supporting the delivery of UNICEF’s regular education programmes. This position is critical for strengthening provincial education systems by improving local planning, monitoring, and supervision of education activities.

Education Programme Consultants will work closely with Provincial Education Authorities and partner CSOs to enhance data-driven decision-making, facilitate stronger school-community partnerships, and promote safer, more inclusive, and effective learning environments for all children. In addition, the role will contribute to building capacity at the provincial level, ensuring alignment with national education priorities, and fostering collaboration across sectors to achieve sustainable improvements in education outcomes.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision and functional guidance of the Education Manager and Chief Field Office (where applicable), Education Programme Consultants will undertake the following key tasks as part of this assignment:

1. Support Planning and Coordination of Education Activities

• Support planning and coordination of education activities through existing PDOE systems and structures, working from home or at government offices when needed.

2. Capacity Building in School Learning Improvement Plans and Quality Improvement

• Support capacity-building initiatives related to School Learning Improvement Plans and quality improvement processes.

3. Conduct Advocacy, Networking, and Partnership Building

• Undertake advocacy activities and strengthen networking and partnerships with key education stakeholders.

4. Monitoring and Supportive Supervision of Education Programmes

• Monitor education programme implementation and provide supportive supervision in collaboration with PDOE.

5. Support Digital and Innovative Monitoring Tools

• Support the introduction and implementation of digital and innovative monitoring tools.

6. Support UNICEF Partners

• Support selected UNICEF partners in the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of community- and school-level education activities.

7. Strengthen Coordination on Key Education Priorities

• Ensure strong coordination and engagement with provincial initiatives on teacher support, foundational learning, inclusion, and the rollout of 1-6-6 structural reforms.

8. Support Adolescent Skills and Participation Activities

• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of adolescent skills and participation activities.

9. Coordinate Emergency Preparedness and Response Activities

• Coordinate emergency preparedness and response activities.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Terms of Reference TMC0004305.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Postgraduate University degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education,
communication, public relations, public or environmental health or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience

a. Necessary Experience

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: education support, community mobilization, school supervision, social development, programme planning, behaviour change, advocacy, communication, or another related area.

• Relevant experience in PNG education institutions, NGOs, civil society organisations, or development programmes is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required.

• Knowledge of another local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills

Other necessary/desirable skills/qualifications:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Willingness to travel and work in field and emergency environments.

Desirables

Other requirements:

• Candidate should preferably be from the same province where the position is located and should indicate the province/location name s/he is applying for in the application cover letter.

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 TMC0004305.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal:

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment, UNICEF Papua New Guinea's Education Programme, the Smarter Safer Schools (3S) initiative, the Global Partnership for Education programme, and provincial education priorities and challenges.
Provide a detailed methodology and implementation approach for supporting planning and coordination, strengthening School Learning Improvement Plans, monitoring programmes, introducing innovative tools, supporting emergency response, conducting advocacy and partnerships, and managing knowledge and documentation.
Provide evidence of previous experience in implementing similar assignments and demonstrate the ability to work effectively with Provincial Education Authorities, schools, communities, and development partners.
Identify potential implementation risks and propose appropriate mitigation measures to ensure successful programme delivery.

Remarks:

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 Programme Consultants, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Office Based, 11 Months (Open for Nationals of Papua New Guinea Only), Req#594779