Mission and objectives

UNICEF is an international humanitarian agency dedicated to children, established by the United Nations Charter in 1946. The organization operates in more than 192 countries and works in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, child protection, HIV and AIDS, nutrition, public policy, and social protection. UNICEF operates in both humanitarian and development contexts by addressing the needs of children and women, particularly girls and the most vulnerable. UNICEF has been present in Cameroon since 1975. The organization works in the areas of education, water and sanitation, child protection, and HIV and AIDS. At the same time, its upstream efforts focus on advocacy and lobbying for budgetary conditions favorable to children and women, as well as on the formulation of policies aimed at promoting their growth and development. At the operational level, UNICEF Cameroon focuses on building the capacity of stakeholders, delivering services, and forging partnerships to improve the living conditions of children and women. The Child Protection Program aims overall to ensure that children—particularly adolescent girls in vulnerable areas—are better protected against violence, exploitation, and harmful practices, including in the context of humanitarian emergencies. The program thus contributes to strengthening government and community child protection systems in order to identify and address violations of children’s rights more effectively. Particular attention is given to birth registration, the prevention of and response to physical and sexual violence, and the elimination of child marriage, based on evidence.

Context

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF supports governments and partners to ensure that every child survives, learns, is protected, and can fulfill their potential. In Cameroon, UNICEF supports the Government in strengthening equitable access to quality education and protective learning environments for children and adolescents, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized populations affected by poverty, displacement, emergencies, exclusion, and protection risks.

Task Description

Under the supervision of the Chief, Education the Education Specialist (Monitoring and Reporting) provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for education programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting. The monitoring and reporting role is critical for evaluating project milestones, ensuring accountability, and driving equitable learning outcomes. To make a difference, the Education Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) must perform the following key functions: Programme Monitoring and Data Analysis • Data Collection & Analysis: Systematically collect, evaluate, and analyze data to track the progress of education policies, frameworks, and interventions. • Routine Monitoring: Regularly review sectoral programs by conducting field visits, reviewing surveys, and participating in annual evaluations with local governments and NGO partners. • Resource Tracking: Monitor and report on the use of programmatic resources (such as financial, administrative, and educational supplies) to verify compliance with donor commitments and organizational integrity. Reporting and Knowledge Management • Drafting Inputs for Reports: Compile data and draft relevant sections for donor reports, annual sectoral reviews, and consolidated emergency reports. • Identifying Bottlenecks: Draft reports that highlight critical issues, implementation bottlenecks, and potential problems, alerting higher-level management so timely interventions can be made. • Institutionalizing Lessons Learned: Maintain records of assessments and evaluations to capture successes and challenges, ensuring lessons are integrated into future program planning. Technical Support and Partnership Building • Quality Assurance: Provide technical assistance to field offices and implementing partners to ensure consistency and quality in programmatic data and reports. • Technical Support: Provides operational guidance to government counterparts, NGO partners, and local stakeholders regarding UNICEF policies and best practices. • Networking & Partnerships: Builds and sustains partnerships with local authorities, donors, and other UN agencies to scale educational initiatives and mobilize resources. • Partner Communication: Work collaboratively with UN partners, civil society, and government counterparts to share monitoring results and coordinate follow-up actions. • Programme Development & Planning: Assists in drafting situation analyses, data reports, and sectoral goals for national or regional education strategies. • Innovation & Capacity Building: Identifies and introduces innovative practices (such as digital learning) and helps build the capacity of local stakeholders to sustain improvements in education quality.

Competencies and values

☒ Communication ☒ Crisis and emergency response ☒ Development programmes ☒ Education Competencies and values: (If competency‑based interviews are used, list only those competencies that are directly relevant to the assignment, using the host entity’s competency framework where applicable. The list below is only indicative.) Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *  Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)  Works Collaboratively with others (2)  Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)  Innovates and Embraces Change (2)  Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)  Drive to achieve impactful results (2)  Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Living conditions and remarks

Cameroon is a unique country It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.