Education Specialist - Curriculum Implementation at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duties and Qualifications
General Background
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist refugees and other persons of concern. The organization is constantly seeking talented, compassionate candidates with high integrity to strengthen its capacity to respond urgently to crises with the right skills. Given the nature of UNHCRs work, it is essential that its workforce has the right mix of skills and qualities to fulfil its mandate.

While refugees and asylum-seekers follow the Kenyan national curriculum and sit for national examinations, camp-based learning institutions have been managed and financed by UNHCR and the international community for almost three decades. Although the Government of Kenya has made a considerable contribution to the education of refugees and asylum-seekers over the past thirty years, the governance and management of learning institutions by the international community has led to an alternative system of service delivery that is less sustainable and does not adequately respond to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and their host communities.

In line with the Global Compact for Refugees, UNHCR Kenya promotes the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers in the national education system, while responding to their immediate needs by:

Fostering an enabling environment that supports learning as well as psychosocial, socio-emotional and physical well-being.
Adopting an area-based approach, supporting both refugees and asylum-seekers, and the communities that host them to access education and training, including through the use of technology, in their respective locations and which is protective, accredited and government-led.
Investing in the national system to enable it to expand to provide quality education and training for refugees and asylum-seekers, and their host communities beyond the emergency phase, facilitating the transition from humanitarian response to durable solutions.
Promoting opportunities for earning and for the use of education toward jobs, economic inclusion, community development, and self-reliance, benefitting refugees, asylum-seekers and their host communities.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

• The education specialist will support the implementation of the competence based curriculum in the refugee camp schools in line with the aspirations of the, the Refugee Education Strategy, in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the national education policies, regulations and standards. Specific roles include:
• To support the implementation of curriculum reforms in all the schools within the camps of Dadaab, Kakuma and Kalobeyei Settlement.
• Coordinate the development and implementation an action plan for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in refugee context.
• ensure implementation of CBC programmes is aligned to and synchronized with and meet the required national programmes and standards
• liaise with and support filed offices and implementing partners in assessing the needs  and requirements for implementation of   CBC at all levels and Identification of options for establishment of  Junior Secondary school
• Provide  Quality assurance of infrastructural development for Junior Secondary Schools
• Coordinate the  Training of teachers of refugees  on CBC implementation and Assessment s for schools in refugee contexts in line with the national training programme
• Provide regular  reports to  monitor and track  progress in the implementation of CBC and transition to JSS
• Develop a partnerships or fundraising strategy for the implementation of curriculum reforms in refugee context

Work Experience

• Experience in  education programmes,  demonstrated work experience in teaching, educational research or education administration; background in relevant education systems with good knowledge of relevant curricula; demonstrated expertise in education programming, community services, community development/organization, social work, counselling; expertise in facilitating training and capacity building. Experience working with Governments, Ministry of Education and other line Ministries. Strong inter-personal skills in collaboration and coordination. Strong communications/presentations skills. Demonstrated capacity to work with minimum supervision
• Technical Schools: Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in addressing education sector  and curriculum development issues and proven ability to engage in policy dialogue as well as to find practical solutions is desired. Good understanding of the key issues, dynamics and evolution of the education sector in Kenya is required.
• Strong client orientation and excellent interpersonal skills: Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with government agencies and within and across sector boundaries; ability to identify problems, provide technical support, build consensus and arrive at solutions; commitment to excellence and teamwork, and to liaise tactfully as a member of a multi-sectoral team.
• High levels of energy, initiative, and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements. Ability to juggle numerous competing demands and priorities, respond quickly to country and management requests, and set priorities for self and others.
• Education: 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree.