Education Specialist-Gender Equity (UNGEI), (P-4)

Job Title: Education Specialist (Gender Equity)

Under the guidance of the Senior Education Adviser for Gender and Equity (UNGEI), the Education Specialist (Gender Equity) will lead strategic initiatives and provide high-quality technical assistance to UNICEF regional and country offices, governments, and global partners to advance gender equality in and through education. You will play a central role in strengthening national education systems to achieve gender equality, supporting Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP), fostering gender-transformative leadership, and addressing harmful gender norms and school-related gender-based violence. You will also contribute to advancing gender equality in education in emergencies and protracted crises, while supporting capacity-strengthening initiatives across UNGEI’s global network.

How can you make a difference?

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and coordination for global initiatives such as the Gender at the Centre Initiative (GCI) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Gender Technical Assistance Initiative, working closely with governments, donors, and partners to deliver impactful and sustainable results. You will generate and apply evidence to inform policy and programming, lead research and learning agendas, and support the development and dissemination of global standards and analytical tools for gender-responsive education systems. You will also engage in high-level advocacy, partnerships, and global platforms to influence policy and mobilize action for girls’ education and gender equality. Working collaboratively across UNICEF and UNGEI platforms, you will strengthen partnerships with governments, civil society, and youth movements, contributing to a coordinated and results-driven effort to remove gender-related barriers across the education lifecycle. Through your leadership, you will help embed gender-transformative approaches into education systems, policies, and programmes, contributing to improved access, learning outcomes, and skills for girls and marginalized learners globally.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Management, and Coordination

• Lead strategic initiatives and provide high-quality technical assistance to advance gender equality in and through education across UNICEF programmes and partnerships.
• Drive key global initiatives, including the Gender at the Centre Initiative (GCI) and the GPE Gender Technical Assistance Initiative.
• Support governments, partners, and UNICEF offices in strengthening gender-responsive education systems and policies.

Technical Advisory Services and Support

• Provide technical advisory services on gender-responsive planning, including Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP).
• Address harmful gender norms and school-related gender-based violence.
• Support gender-transformative leadership and capacity-strengthening initiatives across UNGEI’s global network.

Research, Learning, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Generate and apply evidence to inform policy and programming.
• Lead research and learning agendas.
• Support the development and dissemination of global standards and analytical tools for gender-responsive education systems.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of results for gender equality.

Advocacy, Networking, and Programme Partnership Building

• Engage in high-level advocacy, partnerships, and global platforms to influence policy and mobilize action for girls’ education and gender equality.
• Strengthen partnerships with governments, civil society, and youth movements.
• Contribute to a coordinated and results-driven effort to remove gender-related barriers across the education lifecycle.

Programme and Staff Management, Monitoring of Results

• Manage and monitor programme delivery and staff performance to ensure impactful and sustainable results.
• Promote integrated, gender-transformative approaches in all areas of work.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, International Business Relations, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Gender Development, Women’s Studies, or any other related field.

Work Experience: At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience leading policy, programme, advocacy, or research initiatives that advance gender equality in and through education.

Skills:

• Gender-responsive education sector planning
• Policy advisory and systems strengthening
• Partnership and stakeholder coordination
• Research and evidence generation
• Advocacy and global coalition building
• Programme management and delivery

Language Requirements: Proficiency in both English and French is required.

Desirables

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language.
• Experience with complex, multi-country, multi-donor interventions with strong research and learning agendas.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.