Education Specialist (Sector Coordination), Education Specialist (Sector Coordination), Dakar, Senegal

General

Description of assignment title: Education Specialist(Sector Coordination)

Assignment country: Senegal

Duty stations: Dakar

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 07/19/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 4. Quality education

Host entity: UNICEF

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

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Mission and objectives:

• UNICEF works in the world's toughest places to reach the mostdisadvantaged children and adolescents - and to protect the rightsof every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries andterritories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive,thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood throughadolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines, we supportchild health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, qualityeducation and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment formothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescentsfrom violence and exploitation. Before, during and afterhumanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringinglifesaving help and hope to children and families. Non-politicaland impartial, we are never neutral when it comes to defendingchildren's rights and safeguarding their lives and futures.

Context:

• UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to promote andprotect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on themost vulnerable and disadvantaged. In Senegal, UNICEF supports theGovernment in strengthening equitable access to quality education,improving learning outcomes, and reinforcing system resilience, inalignment with national priorities outlined in the PAQUET-EF andbroader national development frameworks.
• The education sector in Senegal is coordinated throughestablished mechanisms bringing together Government, developmentpartners, civil society and other stakeholders, including theGroupe National des Partenaires de l'Éducation et de laFormation (GNPEF), the Groupe Thématique Éducation,Formation et Emploi (GTEFE) and related technical groups. Inparallel, UNICEF co-leads, together with UNESCO, the United NationsSustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) ResultsGroup 4 on equitable access to quality basic social services andsocial protection. As a key development partner, UNICEF plays anactive role in supporting sector coordination, policy dialogue,inter-agency collaboration and alignment of partnerinterventions.
• In the context of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE),UNICEF also serves as Grant Agent for the System Capacity Grant(SCG), which supports national capacities in sector planning,coordination, monitoring and financing. The SCG contributes to keysector processes, including sector reviews, operationalization ofsector priorities and strengthening of coordination mechanisms atnational and decentralized levels.

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• Within this framework, the UN Volunteer will be embedded in theEducation Section of the UNICEF Senegal Country Office and willwork under the supervision of the Chief of Education, supportingsector coordination efforts and contributing, as needed, toselected programme activities linked to sector dialogue,coordination and partnerships.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Education, the UNVolunteer will support education sector coordination, partnershipengagement, strategic follow-up and selected programme activities,in close collaboration with Government counterparts, developmentpartners, UN agencies and civil society organizations.
• The UN Volunteer will contribute to the following tasks:
• 1. Support to education sector coordination and policydialogue:
• Support the Chief of Education and the Education Section in thefollow-up of education sector coordination processes, in alignmentwith national priorities and sector frameworks.
• Assist in the preparation and follow-up of sector coordinationmeetings and related documentation (e.g. GNPEF, GTEFE, RG4 andrelated technical groups).
• Contribute to information sharing and collaboration acrossGovernment, development partners, UN agencies and civil societyorganizations.
• Support the preparation of sector reviews, joint missions,briefing materials and key coordination outputs.
• Contribute, as required, to coordination efforts atdecentralized level and to liaison with sector stakeholders.
• 2. Support to selected activities related to sector planningand monitoring:
• Support the follow-up of selected activities under the SystemCapacity Grant (SCG), in coordination with Government counterpartsand partners.
• Assist in the organization and technical preparation of sectorreviews and related processes.
• Contribute to tracking implementation progress and identifyingissues requiring follow-up.
• Support documentation and follow-up related to sectorcoordination mechanisms supported through the SCG.
• 3. Support to sector analysis, partnerships and knowledgemanagement:
• Monitor key sector developments and contribute to analyticalnotes, briefing materials and summaries to support coordination andprogramme discussions.
• Assist in the preparation of inputs for partner engagement,donor discussions and strategic exchanges, as required.
• Contribute to knowledge management, documentation of keyprocesses and internal information sharing within the EducationSection.
• 4. Flexible programme and operational support:
• Provide ad hoc technical and operational support to educationprogramme activities, as required.
• Support cross-cutting initiatives and internal coordinationwithin UNICEF.
• 5. Contribute to other tasks requested by the Chief ofEducation and the Education Section, in line with programmepriorities and evolving operational needs.
• Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UNVolunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promotevolunteerism through engagement with communities and partnersduring the course of their work.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal residentor hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• French, Level: Fluent, Required
• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, public policy, sectorcoordination, public administration, social sciences, internationaldevelopment, or related fields

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Communication
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organizing
• Professionalism
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Self-management
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Integrity

Skills and experience:

• Education sector programmes, policy support, sectorcoordination or multi-stakeholder engagement
• Good understanding of education sector policies, planning,monitoring and coordination mechanisms
• Working with Government counterparts, development partners,civil society organizations and/or UN agencies in support ofcoordination and sector processes
• Preparation of analytical notes, reports, briefing materialsand meeting documentation
• Support to sector planning, monitoring, review processes orinstitutional coordination mechanisms is desirable
• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge:
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, includingfollow-up of actions and processes involving multiplestakeholders
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellentdrafting, formulation and reporting skills
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production, editingand follow-up
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and sociallysensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with arange of partners
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in amulticultural environment, including within teams composed ofinternational and national personnel
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency inMicrosoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), email andinternet tools
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision andability to meet tight deadlines
• Sound analytical, proactive and pragmatic approach
• Sound security awareness
• Interest in education sector development, children's rights,partnership coordination, volunteerism as a mechanism forsustainable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Communication, advocacy, public information, Education,Governance, elections

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