Education Specialist (Early Childhood Development)

The Education Specialist (ECD) provides technical, operational and programme management support across the Education and Early Childhood Development portfolio in Samoa and neighboring Pacific islands. The role supports planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes to improve learning outcomes and promote equitable, inclusive and quality education for all children.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, planning and implementation of Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes using evidence-based approaches and results-based management principles.
• Contribute to the integration of ECD priorities across sectors and ensure alignment with national priorities and UNICEF strategies.
• Monitor programme implementation, track results and support reporting to ensure the effective delivery of ECD outcomes.
• Support programme reviews, field monitoring and resource management to identify challenges, promote accountability and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, partners and stakeholders throughout the programme cycle.
• Contribute to the development of policy briefs, strategic documents and technical materials to support programme delivery and decision-making.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with government, development partners, academia and civil society to advance ECD priorities and results.
• Support advocacy, resource mobilization and inter-agency collaboration to strengthen investments and partnerships for children.
• Promote innovation, knowledge sharing and the application of good practices to strengthen programme effectiveness and impact.
• Support capacity-building initiatives to enhance partner competencies and strengthen sustainable ECD systems and services.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, public administration, public health, nutrition, economics, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, family studies or another relevant technical field.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelors) in a relevant field combined with two additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management, research in education, early childhood development, and related areas is required.
• Strong skills in child protection programming, programme management, monitoring and reporting, partnership building, research and analysis, and effective communication.
• Proficiency in English is required.
• Experience working in a developing country context is desirable.
• Experience with the UN system or an international development organization is desirable.
• Experience in early childhood development, education programming and partnership coordination is desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills

• Early Childhood Development
• Social Development Planning
• Programme Management
• Child Protection Programming
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Partnership Building
• Research and Analysis
• Education Programming
• Operational Support
• Programme Implementation
• Equity and Inclusion Integration

Languages

English