Education Officer - Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

September 29 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

FamilyUNOPS IICA2

General Background

Education is a fundamental protection and solutions activity for UNHCR guided by the Refugee Education 2030 strategy and international frameworks such as the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). These Frameworks promote the inclusion of refugee children in national education systems and emphasize the importance of data-informed planning monitoring and accountability in enhancing educational access quality and protection.

The UNHCR Headquarters (HQ) Education Section coordinates implementation of a comprehensive primary education programme across 31 countries through the Educate A Child (EAC) Programme and the Primary Impact Initiatives. These efforts aim to transform the lives of refugee children and youth by providing accessible inclusive and holistic education.

The EAC Programme targets five countries: Chad Kenya Mauritania Pakistan and Uganda. Over the course of four years it seeks to close the education gap for more than 220000 out-of-school refugee children by facilitating access to equitable quality and safe primary education. Building on previous programme cycles that supported over 1.6 million displaced learners this new phase introduces innovative context-specific strategies tailored to the unique challenges in each country.

The EAC Programme is structured around four key outcomes: increasing access to inclusive learning opportunities improving the quality of education enhancing the well-being of refugee learners and strengthening national education systems to better include refugees better. Sustainability is a core focus with strong advocacy efforts and collaboration with Ministries of Education to foster supportive policy environments. Community engagement in education management and capacity-building at both local and national levels are central to delivering quality education effectively.

Strategic partnerships with national and sub-national governments international and local NGOs UN agencies and community-based organizations are essential for ensuring coordinated and context-specific education services that respond effectively. The EAC Programme is managed within a unified framework coordinated by the Basic Education and Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) teams at UNHCR Headquarters. These teams collaborate closely with Education Focal Points and program staff in each participating country to maintain consistency in planning implementation monitoring evaluation and reporting across the five countries.

While the program follows a unified coordination model country teams along with education partners and stakeholders lead daily implementation and oversight. Local Education Focal Points and implementing partners are ideally positioned to adapt the program to emerging needs within the framework of the EAC.

Given the scale of the initiativespanning five countries over four yearsstrategic alignment in programme design is essential. A harmonized approach allows implementing countries to share knowledge and best practices adopt common monitoring and evaluation systems and strengthen accountability to both refugee communities and donors. This alignment enhances more resilient and sustainable programming in future initiatives. Implementation is carried out by multifunctional teams comprising staff from UNHCR Headquarters Regional Bureaus Country Offices and partner organizations. Effective communication and collaboration across these levels are crucial to ensuring a smooth information flow and successful programme execution.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Education Officer - Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) will play a key role in supporting the effectiveness and integrity of the EAC projects monitoring evaluation and learning system. Working under the supervision of the Education Officer (Basic Education) the incumbent will contribute to the design implementation and coordination of the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for the EAC program ensuring that high-quality evidence is generated and used to track progress inform decision-making improve program effectiveness and demonstrate accountability to donors partners and affected populations.

S/he will be responsible for generating evidence to support adaptive management tracking progress toward programme outcomes ensuring accountability to donors and stakeholders and fostering continuous learning for programme improvement. The MEL Officer will work closely with the contracted MEL partner to support timely high-quality delivery of MEL services aligned with established frameworks methodologies and workplans.

Key Tasks:
MEL Framework and Systems
Support the implementation of the EAC Programme MEL framework and indicators. The key official documents include the EAC Programme Results Framework Project Monitoring Plan and Project Implementation Plan. The EAC Programme indicators are grouped into goal indicators Outcome indicators and output indicators (as detailed in the EAC log frame)
Liaise with the MEL Contract to strengthen country teams understanding and use of MEL frameworks including indicator definitions and measurement strategies.
Establish and maintain feedback loops enabling timely learning and adaptation of the MEL framework and program strategies as needed.

Baseline Routine and Endline Monitoring
Coordinate the baseline periodic and endline assessments and data collection.
Build country and partner capacity in designing conducting and using data from assessments and ongoing monitoring.
Support tracking of progress toward key performance indicators and deliverables within the EAC MEL framework.
Conduct regular data reviews and learning sessions with field teams to promote adaptive programming.
Produce quarterly and annual reports capturing project outcomes and emerging trends.
Maintain up-to-date documentation of MEL tools guidance and results to support transparency and knowledge transfer.

Coordination with MEL Partner
Support alignment of MEL partner/contractor deliverables with EAC programme frameworks.
Serve as a liaison and provide guidance for country staff interacting with the MEL partner building their capacity to interpret and use data outputs.

Data Quality and Analysis
Support alignment of integrity and consistency in data collection and reporting.
Train staff and partners in data quality assurance validation procedures and basic data analysis.

Learning and Reporting
Support adaptive management through data use and knowledge sharing.
Work closely with the education sections data and evidence unit on data feasibility quality standards and collection tools analysis interpretation and use for decision-making and learning.
Facilitate learning workshops and reflective sessions with country teams to promote data-driven decision-making.
Create and implement a learning agenda that harnesses MEL findings to inform policy and programming across UNHCRs primary education portfolio.
Generate and disseminate evidence-based knowledge products (case studies briefs lessons learned) that capture innovative practices and impact.
Facilitate feedback loops between HQ field offices and partners to improve program design and implementation.

Documentation and Continuous Improvement
Document promising practices and lessons learned from foundational skills interventions across countries to inform adaptive program design.
Facilitate cross-country technical exchanges to strengthen collective learning and uptake of effective practices.

Capacity Building
Provide ongoing technical assistance to strengthen relevant MEL systems at the country level.
Develop and roll out MEL training packages tailored to partner and staff capacity gaps and priorities.

Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the following fields: Education Statistics Economics Social Sciences Public Policy International Development and/or Evaluation or Research Methods.
A first-level university degree combined with an additional 6 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in place of the advanced degree.

Preferred Academic Background Includes:
Training in monitoring and evaluation methodologies including impact evaluation education assessment tools and mixed-methods research.
Coursework in data analysis program evaluation or educational measurement.
Familiarity with education in emergencies refugee education or development programming is an asset.

b. Work Experience

At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation within education programs preferably in humanitarian or development settings. 6 years relevant experience with a graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with a Masters or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience in designing and managing MEL frameworks systems and tools in support of education access quality and inclusion.
Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis tools and platforms such as Excel STATA R Kobo Toolbox or Power BI
Experience in the design implementation or analysis of early grade learning assessments such as the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) or Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA).
Demonstrated ability to translate evidence into actionable insights facilitate feedback loops and adapt MEL frameworks to changing program needs.
Experience supporting field-based teams in implementing data collection methodologies analysis and reporting.
Proven ability to synthesize complex data and translate findings into actionable program improvement and learning insights.
Prior experience engaging with donors or institutional partners on MEL-related deliverables is highly desirable.

c. Key Competencies

Core Competencies
Accountability Takes responsibility for achieving agreed outcomes as well as for personal work and behavior. Ensures accuracy of data and compliance with MEL standards and donor expectations.
Teamwork & Collaboration Collaborates effectively with colleagues from HQ regional bureau and country offices while contributing to capacity development and knowledge sharing.
Flexibility and Solutions Orientation - Demonstrates adaptability in dynamic and complex environments responding effectively to shifting priorities and unforeseen challenges. Proactively identifies problems and generates practical context-appropriate solutions that drive progress and maintain program integrity.
Communication Demonstrated ability to effectively convey technical MEL findings to various audiences including non-specialists and donors in both written and verbal forms.
Commitment to Continuous Learning Actively seeks to expand knowledge in monitoring evaluation and education data systems to support evidence-based programming.
Client & Results Orientation Demonstrates responsiveness to the needs of country operations and donors providing timely MEL support and producing high-quality deliverables.
Organizational Awareness Understands the institutional priorities and aligns MEL efforts with UNHCRs Refugee Education 2030 strategy and global frameworks such as the GCR and SDG4.

Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking Proven ability to interpret complex data generate insights and apply evidence to strengthen program quality planning and learning.
Planning and Organizing Excellent ability to manage various MEL activities deliverables and deadlines while maintaining quality control and alignment with project objectives.
Technological Awareness Proficiency with education data platforms and tools (e.g. Excel Kobo Power BI) used for monitoring and reporting purposes.
Stakeholder Management Demonstrated ability to engage productively with UNHCR colleagues implementing partners government counterparts and donors on MEL-related matters.
Change Capability and Adaptability Adapts MEL approaches in response to contextual realities operational feedback and lessons learned.

Desirable
Familiarity with UNHCR MEL systems and reporting mechanisms.
Project management certifications
Data analysis and statistical software Training
Working knowledge of another UN language


Type of contract: UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement
Duration: The assignment is expected to start as soon as possible and last until 31 December 2026.

UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement contracts are issued on a calendar-year basis.

The initial contract will be granted until 31 December 2025 with the possibility of one-year renewal until 31 December 2026 subject to satisfactory performance.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Desired Languages

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance

Remote

No