Senior Education Planning Specialist, P4

Overview

Supports the development, revision, and implementation of UNRWA's multi-year education strategy and operational workplans. Plays a central role in supporting high-level strategic decision-making and shaping the Agency’s education agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports the development, revision, and implementation of UNRWA's multi-year education strategy and operational workplans.
• Ensures alignment of education planning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, UNESCO/ International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) guidelines, and UNRWA’s education vision.
• Prepares financial simulations on staffing needs, cost-saving scenarios, and quality enhancement investments.
• Develops and implements cost-effective financial strategies for education.
• Provides input into cross-cutting agency strategies and donor submissions.
• Leads the annual class formation/school mapping processes across five fields.
• Coordinates with field offices to ensure correct application of norms and standards.
• Plays a key role in the development and use of algorithms and digital tools.
• Supports the modernization of the Education Management Information System (EMIS).
• Oversees the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Contributes to monitoring and evaluation of education indicators.
• Supports the assessment of policy impacts and feasibility studies.
• Guides the preparation of annual education sector performance reports, policy briefs, and recommendations.
• Ensures the integration of equity, gender sensitivity, and inclusion considerations.
• Provides technical assistance and capacity building to HQ and field-based education and planning staff.
• Develops planning templates, SOPs, guidelines, and training materials.
• Supports workshops, webinars, and cross-field learning exchanges.
• Establishes partnerships with universities, research institutions, and international organizations.
• Promotes the adoption of new technologies and data-driven decision-making tools.
• Contributes to Education Department–wide strategies and cross-team initiatives.

Required Experience

At least 7 years of progressively responsible and professional experience in school mapping/class formation, education financing, or EMIS development is required. Demonstrated experience in education planning, policy analysis, large-scale programme implementation, or related fields, preferably within a ministry, international organization, or research institute is required. Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis, including use of Excel and/or planning software is required. Experience in applying international education frameworks such as SDG 4, UNESCO’s Education Policies, and IIEP methodologies in programme design or evaluation. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and participatory planning processes. Documented experience in drafting clear and concise policy reports and technical documents is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Experience in education emergency response planning in conflict-affected or resource constrained settings is desirable. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Familiarity with overcrowded classroom challenges and creative mitigation strategies is desirable. Knowledge of UNRWA or refugee education systems is desirable.

Qualifications

An advanced university degree in Education Planning, Economics of Education, Public Policy, or related field. A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

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