Mission and objectives

UNICEF work in Egypt is focused on promoting sustainable development with multidimensional equity for children, embodying the fair chance for every child principle. In line with national priorities, UNICEF work in Egypt focuses on Early Childhood Development bridging the first 1000 days through the first years of formal education, as a key means by which multiple threats to children may be addressed through cross-sectoral linkages. The expected results of UNICEF’s work in Egypt will contribute to national efforts and priorities and the 2030 National Sustainable Development Strategy; as well as the United Nations Partnership for Development Framework (UNPDF 2018-2022).

UNICEF’s programme in Egypt contributes to strengthen the knowledge base for more child-sensitive social protection, and improve three fundamental elements of the early childhood years (health, nutrition and development). UNICEF’s work on learning and protection covers all children of all ages, focusing on the most vulnerable children, children with disabilities and adolescent girls.

Context

Despite Egypt achieving near universal primary school enrolment, there is high learning poverty in literacy and numeracy. 55% of 10-year-olds did not reach the minimum benchmark for reading meaning they are unable to read and understand a simple text. It is crucial to tackle this issue related to foundational learning and early childhood education since the cost of inaction is very high. Children struggling with foundational learning, including basic literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills, face significant educational and life challenges, leading to higher dropout rates and limited career opportunities. The power of education is pronounced: people with limited skills and qualification are more likely to be in poor health and less able to contribute to the economy, and less likely to take part in decision making that impact their communities, limiting their potential to make a positive change. From an economic perspective, this is a disaster. Not only does it mean a lot of lost potential for these individuals, but it also translates into billions in lost earnings nationwide.

In line with UNICEF’s mission, UNICEF Education aims to support the Egyptian education systems at the national and governorate levels to be strengthened to improve the quality of learning opportunities for all children, adolescents, and youth, leading to relevant learning outcomes, skills development, and participation in 12 years of education. Learning and skilling team under UNICEF Egypt Education section is currently working with key stakeholders such as Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE), school managers, teachers and implementing partners on strategy and programme levels to increase foundational learning for all children in egypt and early childhood education to tackle this learning crisis. This includes working on Foundational learning strategy, co-leading a working group on foundational learning and working with MoETE and number of partners on expanding quality early childhood education.

Task description

Under the Education Specialist's direct supervision, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks related to supporting quality learning and skilling portfolio in UNICEF Egypt country office (including work on enhancing foundational learning, Early childhood education, and transferable skills) focusing on:

1. Addressing the Learning Crisis: Support work in relation on Foundational learning (FL) strategy, the FL working group on foundational learning, and the acceleration program with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE) and key stakeholders to ensure the universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy, thus enabling children to thrive in subsequent educational stages.

2. Quality Early Childhood Education: Collaborating with the MoETE to enhance the accessibility and quality of ECE, which is pivotal in shaping a child’s cognitive and social skills from an early age.

3. Skills development: coordination and overseeing programmes aimed at equipping youth with relevant skills for the fast changing work that align with labor market demands (i.e; Digital & AI, STEAM, Green skilling and LSCE) thereby fostering economic growth and reducing unemployment rates, target reach is 80,00 students by 2027

1. Support to programme development and planning:-

• Assist in developing an investment case and advocacy asks related to foundational learning.

• Support the planning efforts of the FL working group to ensure a cohesive and effective approach to foundational learning.

• Contribute to the development and cordination of foundational skills strategy, working group and advocacy plan through research, collection, analysis and reporting of education and other related information for development planning and goal setting.

• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentation, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results:-

• Assist in the planning and implementation of learning and skilling programs, as well as related implementation research.

• Prepare, execute, and manage various technical and administrative tasks to facilitate program development.

• Support to monitor program progress, evaluate outcomes, and compile reporting materials.

• Provide technical support to ensure that the learning and skilling portfolio employs a well-prioritized research, monitoring, and evaluation plan.

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.

3 Technical and operational support to programme implementation:-

• Support cordination for foundational acceleration programmes, ECE quality assurance programme and youth skills development programs aligned with evolving labor market demands.

• Coordinate activities for the Digital & AI, STEAM, Green Skilling, and Life Skills and Competencies Education (LSCE) components.

• Support team and implementing partner to ensure quality interventions to equip 80,000 youth with critical skills by 2027, contributing to economic growth and reducing unemployment rates in Egyptian communities.

4. Networking and partnership building:-

• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and alliances, and support fund raising for education programmes.

• Research information on potential donors and support prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:-

• Contribute to identifying, capturing, synthesizing, and sharing lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity development of stakeholders.

• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.

• Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.

• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

UN International Specialist Volunteer gets the following package:

• Volunteer Living Allowance (around EGP 52,800/Month)

• Entry Lump-Sum = USD 400(one-time payment)

• Exit Lump-Sum upon completion of contract.

• Medical and life Insurance premium/Cigna (100%) and dependents policy.

• Access to UNV E-Campus for training and learning including access to LinkedIn learning.

Application deadline is 2 December 2024

Skills

Age

18 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in professional at the national and/or international level, in education or skills development programmes/projects.

• Previous work experience in programme/project design and/or implementation;

• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects;

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

• Background knowledge or interest in research, evidence generation and knowledge management is an asset.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations is an asset;

Area(s) of expertise

Education, Development programmes, Crisis and emergency response

Languages

Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in in Education, social science, international development.

Competencies and values

• Accountability;

• Adaptability and flexibility;

• Care;

• Creativity;

• Integrity;

• Judgement and decision-making;

• Planning and organising;

• Professionalism;

• Respect for diversity;

• Self-management;

• Working in teams.