Education Specialist, (NO-3), Temporary Appointment (364 days), Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh #134624 (Open to Bangladeshi Nationals only)

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,

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 more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why 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.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the job:

Under the guidance and general supervision of the Education Manager (P4) who leads the education programme in Cox’s Bazar, the Specialist contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocations, results-based management approaches and methodology (RBM), as well as UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework. The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Education Specialist to programme preparation, planning and implementation, monitoring and learning contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to improve learning outcomes and universal access to quality, equitable and inclusive education. Success in education programmes in turn contribute to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide services for children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

The Education Specialist is based in Cox’s Bazar and works for the Rohingya response where more than one million Rohingya refugees are living in protracted displacement, 50 per cent of whom are children aged 18 and under. Core areas of the role are the integration of technology into the education programme which includes supporting teaching practice by connecting pedagogy and technology use to improve teaching. Expanding digital skills and the development and use of multimedia teaching and learning materials are further key areas. The role will support effective classroom instruction and assessment practices, including using assessment to support teaching at the right level aligned with the Myanmar Curriculum assessment framework and learning objectives and the use of assessment platforms. Differentiation instruction, curriculum and pedagogy, socio-emotional learning, developing learning records per child, volunteer recruitment, and volunteer teacher capacity strengthening and skills development including through recognised teacher training programmes are core functions.

Technical knowledge and skills are required for the role and experience of quality assurance of programmes which includes ensuring operational feasibility of programmes in the camps. It is essential that the Education Specialist works directly with the Rohingya community ensuring their knowledge and skills shape solutions. The Education Specialist will also work with implementing partners (national CSOs) and specialised technical partners and will line manage 3 positions.  

Summary of the key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme development and planning.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation.
4. Networking and partnership building.
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Temporary Appointment ToR_Education Specialist NOC_20251231.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required.
• Expected to support the wellbeing, skills and professional development of colleagues in a kind and supportive manner.
• Must have experience of working with affected populations for community-led transformation, external partners and stakeholders in a multinational and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Technical expertise is required in education and edtech including implementing technology solutions to contribute towards quality and resilient education delivery, curriculum delivery and teaching at the right level, instruction, pedagogy, socio-emotional learning, teacher training and professional development programmes for recognised skill development.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English and Bangla is required.
• Knowledge of Chittagonian Dialect, Rohingya or Myanmar (Burmese) is an asset.

Desirables:

• Experience supporting the use and integration of education technologies for curriculum and instruction in varied contexts including complex environments preferred.
• Previous experience as a teacher is valuable.  
• Preferred previous experience of being a line manager (supervisor).
• Experience working in different contexts and countries is advantageous.
• Knowledge of the Rohingya refugee response and Myanmar Curriculum is also an advantage.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. (This criteria is essential as a desirable and should be included in all job postings.)

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. Nurtures, Leads and Manages People 
2. Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness 
3. Works Collaboratively with others 
4. Builds and Maintains Partnerships 
5. Innovates and Embraces Change 
6. Thinks and Acts Strategically 
7. Drive to achieve impactful results 
8. Manages ambiguity and complexity 

REMARKS

• Both internal and external candidates are eligible to apply.
• Priority will be given to Bangladeshi Internal staff holding PA, CA, Fixed Term (including TAs, consultants, UNVs, etc.) who meet the requirements.
• These positions are open to Bangladeshi nationals only. 
• 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 their contract expiry, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. 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.
• Internal candidates on abolished posts, performing at the level of the post or a level higher in the relevant functional area, or an internal candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, will be given first consideration.
• Per the UNICEF Staff Selection Procedure, alternate recommended candidate(s) from this selection process may be placed in the Talent Group which may be used to fill similar positions in the future. Therefore, all eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.
• 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 only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. 
• 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 female candidates and persons with disabilities 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.
• Visa residence requirements: i.e., 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.
• Verbal Feedback shall be provided to unsuccessful internal candidates upon the completion of the recruitment process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.