UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, a future…
Despite Mali’s efforts to commit to Education for All by 2015, the country has fallen behind in achieving this goal. To date, Mali still has 1.2 million children out of school (EHE out of school or out of school) and at risk of dropping out of school (age 7-12). In addition, demographic trends suggest that this figure will increase in the near future. While school exclusion in Mali is caused by multiple structural factors associated with demand as well as barriers on the educational supply side, the EHE problem is magnified by a weak education management system. In addition, the complex crisis facing Mali, which includes political instability, armed conflict and recurring floods and food insecurity.
UNICEF is particularly well placed to assist the Government of Mali to meet these challenges and to contribute to a significant reduction in the total number of children out of school (EHE-out-of-school or out-of-school) and at risk of dropping out of school. country. UNICEF’s comparative advantages include not only its unique mandate and expertise in education, but also strong and close relationships with Mali’s Ministry of National Education, bilateral and multilateral partners, and civil society, including important networks within communities. In addition, the country office of UNICEF Mali also has an auxiliary network comprised of five zone offices and regionally-based educational staff in direct contact with the Academies of Education (AE) and Pedagogical Animation Centers (CAP).
Since academic year 2018-2019, UNICEF Mali is implementing a Project to support school integration (PAIS) through a set of six group of interventions aiming at sending back to school students who have dropped out, while maintaining those who are enrolled, but at risk of dropping out. In total the project aims at reaching 250.000 children and comprised the following: (i) information and awareness campaigns to mobilize communities on the importance of schooling; (ii) setting up of accelerated and gateway centers for out-of-school children aged 10-12; (iii) direct reintegration in schools for children aged 7-10; (iv) Advisory / educational support to 7 to12 year-old children at risk of school drop-out; and (v) Financial support to the most vulnerable families to enable them to send their children to school.
How can you make a difference?
UNICEF Mali is looking for a dedicated, self-driven professional with strong technical knowledge, people management skills and ability to coordinate within a dynamic and multi-cultural team environment. Under the overall guidance of the UNICEF Chief Education in Mali, the Education Cluster Coordinator will be responsible for leading the Education Cluster with an aim of strengthening the system-wide preparedness and technical capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies, ensuring predictable and effective interagency responses on Education and preparing the smooth transition from a cluster oriented coordination mechanism to a coordination mechanism under the overall Education Sector working group.
Key responsibilities include :
- In the name of UNICEF and as Cluster-lead agency support the Ministry of Education in the coordination of international and local Education partners related to the ongoing emergency response (conflict, food and nutrition crisis, seasonal flooding etc.) ;
- Facilitate discussion and agreement on the use of common standards and tools among cluster partners ;
- Develop and amend periodically the preparedness and response strategy of the education cluster ;
- Maintain a well-functioning information management system, including capacity mapping and building of key partners in the sector ;
- Develop and follow-up on a monitoring framework for education based on Humanitarian Performance Monitoring systems ;
- Conduct rapid and in depth Joint Education Needs Assessments based on needs ;
- Provide technical expertise in education in emergencies, early recovery, post-crisis transition and transition ;
- Organize capacity development opportunities for partners on Education in Emergencies preparedness and response related activities ;
- Lead on the design of appropriate transition strategies for the Education cluster to ensure continuity between the humanitarian response, recovery and development phases ;
- Advocate for continued access to education targeting decision-makers at policy level as well as donors in order to ensure allocation of sufficient funds (CERF, CAP, other) for the emergency preparedness and response ;
- Raise awareness of and promote the integration of agreed priority cross-cutting issues (e.g. age, environment, gender, HIV/AIDS, human rights) in cluster/inter-cluster needs assessments, analysis, planning, implementation and monitoring.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Advanced university degree in the combination of the selective disciplines relevant to the following areas : Education; Primary Education, Economics, Social Sciences, or a field(s) relevant to international development assistance ;
- Formal training in cluster co-ordination and/or demonstrated experience of effective high-level co-ordination and chairing of meetings ;
- At least 5 years of professional work experience at national and/or international levels in fields relevant to Education ;
- Demonstrated professional technical expertise in education in emergencies, early recovery and post-crisis transition ;
- In depth understanding of and trainings related to Education in Emergencies (INEE Minimum Standards, Cluster Coordination etc.) ;
- Excellent advocacy skills particularly in relation to advocating for education provision in humanitarian crises ;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills ;
- Demonstrable understanding of international humanitarian response architecture, co-ordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action ;
- Understanding of the humanitarian funding mechanisms including (i.e. Consolidated Appeals Process, Central Emergency Response Fund and Flash Appeals) ;
- Fluency in French and English. Knowledge of the local language (Bambara) an asset ;
- Experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset ;
- Currently based in Bamako is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).
Critical Competencies :
- Core Values (Required) ;
- Commitment to humanitarian principles and to the right of children and youth to education in emergency situations and recognition of the critical importance of education in emergencies as a first-phase humanitarian response ;
- Ability to put aside one’s own organizational interests and work impartially serving all cluster stakeholders on equal terms ;
- Demonstrated integrity.
Core Competencies (Required) :
- Communication ;
- Working with People ;
- Drive for Results.
Functional Competencies (Required) :
- Leading and Supervising ;
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts ;
- Analyzing ;
- Relating and Networking ;
- Deciding and Initiating Action ;
- Persuading and Influencing.
View our competency framework at : Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks :
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and continue to the next stage of the selection process ;
- Please note that this is a non-family duty station.