Job description

Mission and objectives

With the strong presence on the ground and partnerships with local communities and organizations across multiple sectors, UNICEF aims to reach more children and families. Upholding the humanitarian principles, UNICEF supports integrated, multi-sectoral programming and continues to improve sustained, equitable and safe access to critical basic services in areas where the needs are the highest.

UNICEF, in coordination with partners, aims to ensure accountability to affected populations with integration of gender, child safeguarding as well as prevention from sexual exploitation and abuse into its programmes.

UNICEF aims to reach children no matter where they are or live.

Context

The Ministry of Education (MoE) is leading efforts to restore and transform Syria’s education system following years of crisis and disruption that have significantly affected access, equity, quality, learning outcomes, and institutional capacity. As the country transitions toward recovery and development, the Ministry is committed to ensuring that all children and young people, including returnees, internally displaced populations, and other vulnerable groups, have access to safe, inclusive, and quality education aligned with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goal

To advance sector recovery and reform, the MoE is strengthening its capacity for education sector planning, coordination, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making. Central to this effort is the establishment of the Local Education Group (LEG), a Ministry-led, multi-stakeholder platform bringing together government entities, development partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other education stakeholders to promote sector dialogue, align partner support, and advance collective action around national education priorities. A LEG Secretariat has been established within the Ministry to support the effective functioning of the LEG and strengthen Ministry-led sector coordination.

The establishment of the LEG and its Secretariat provides an institutional mechanism to reinforce government leadership, strengthen partnerships, and support coordinated implementation and monitoring of national education priorities.

Given the scale and complexity of Syria’s education recovery and reform agenda, UNICEF is recruiting a UN Volunteer Specialist (LEG Operations, Coordination and Knowledge Management Officer) to manage the operational and information flow of the LEG, coordinate activities among partners at the implementation level, manage information-sharing platforms, and ensure institutional documentation of all meetings and decisions.

The UN Volunteer will be based in the Directorate of Planning and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and will report to the Director of Planning, or his/her designated representative, on the daily delivery of tasks. The UN Volunteer's work plan will be agreed jointly by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. Administrative and contractual accountability rests with UNICEF. While the UNICEF Chief of Education will approve leave and travel and will complete the UNV performance assessment, with formal input from the Ministry of Education. The UN Volunteer will keep regular communication with both supervisors, including monthly progress updates shared with both UNICEF and the Ministry. The UNV will work closely and coordinate with different directorates and departments within the Ministry of Education, as well as UN, NGO and development partners on sector planning and coordination, contributing to joint deliverables as set out in the tasks of this assignment. The UN Volunteer Specialist will promote complementarity, avoid duplication of effort, and support a coherent, Ministry-led approach to partner support.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Chief of Education, and under the day-to-day functional guidance of the Director of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Education (or his/her designated representative), the UN Volunteer will support the following:

1. Operational Coordination and Partner Information Management

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date database of LEG members and partners, including contact information, geographic areas of intervention, and ongoing projects.

• Coordinate the work of technical working groups, schedule activities, and monitor member participation.

• Manage and update LEG documents and information-sharing platform.

2. Administration, Logistics, and Documentation

• Organize and manage administrative and logistical arrangements for regular and ad hoc LEG meetings, including drafting agendas and circulating invitations and meeting materials.

• Prepare official meeting minutes, document recommendations and decisions, and follow up on their approval and timely dissemination.

• Establish and maintain an electronic and institutional archive for all LEG documents, policies, and decisions.

3. Follow-Up and Communication

• Manage the Action Points Tracker in coordination with relevant partners and prepare periodic status reports.

• Prepare and disseminate periodic newsletters, updates, and briefing notes to LEG members to ensure regular information sharing.

Benefits Package:

• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 350

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): USD 1218.08

• Danger and Hardship Differential depending on the hardship classification and family/non-family status of the duty station.

• Free access to UNV's learning and career development resources

Skills

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public administration, business administration, education, social sciences, international development, communications, information management, or another relevant field.

Competencies and values

• Accountability

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Creativity

• Judgement and decision-making

• Planning and organising

• Professionalism

• Self-management

Skills and experience

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in coordination, programme support, administration, information management, or related functions.

• Demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, including organizing meetings, working groups, and partner consultations.

• Experience in stakeholder and partner information management, including maintaining databases, contact lists, activity mapping, and document repositories.

• Strong experience in meeting documentation and follow-up, including preparing agendas, minutes, action trackers, and progress updates.

• Ability to coordinate and follow up with government, UN, development, humanitarian, and/or civil society partners.

• Strong organizational and planning skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Strong written communication and drafting skills, including preparation of briefing notes, updates, newsletters, and formal correspondence.

• Good digital and information-management skills, including proficiency in standard office applications and online document-sharing and collaboration platforms.

• Strong interpersonal, coordination, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a complex working environment.

Desirable (considered an asset):

• Experience in the education sector or sector coordination.

• Familiarity with LEG/GPE processes or similar coordination mechanisms.

• Experience working with government, UN agencies, donors, NGOs, or development partners.

• Experience in Syria or other fragile or transitional contexts.

• Knowledge of partner mapping, information and knowledge management systems.

• Familiarity with humanitarian-development coordination.