Chief Education (Learning, Skills and Engagement), (P-5), FT, #00047093, Maputo, Republic of Mozambique

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, Programmes, the Chief Education (Learning, Skills and Engagement) provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNICEF Mozambique’s LSE programme. The Chief is accountable for the quality, coherence and results of integrated strategies that improve foundational learning, expand inclusive learning and skills pathways, strengthen education system resilience and accountability, and enable adolescents and young people to participate meaningfully and transition towards further learning, work and earning opportunities. UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visitour websiteto learn more about what we do at UNICEF. For every child, the right to Education How can you make a difference? Mozambique has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 65 per cent of the population under the age of 24. This demographic profile presents a major opportunity for national development, but only if children, adolescents and young people acquire the foundational, transferable, digital and market-relevant skills needed for further learning, decent work and civic participation. Despite progress in expanding access to education, learning outcomes remain weak, completion rates are low, and many learners leave school without basic literacy and numeracy skills or the competencies required to transition successfully to adulthood. The education system is increasingly overstretched by rapid population growth, limited fiscal space, climate shocks, insecurity and persistent inequities. Schools often lack safe, inclusive and resilient learning environments, sufficient trained teachers, adequate materials and effective accountability systems. Adolescents and young people, particularly vulnerable girls, young people with disabilities and those affected by crisis, also face limited access to relevant skills, second-chance learning, safe spaces, services, information, earning opportunities and meaningful participation. The UNICEF Mozambique Country Programme 2027–2030 responds to these challenges through the Learning, Skills and Engagement programme, which aims to strengthen the education system and youth participation mechanisms so that children and adolescents access quality learning opportunities, acquire relevant skills and participate meaningfully in shaping their futures. The programme is structured around three mutually reinforcing outputs: inclusive digital learning solutions; school and system level accountability, safeguarding and preparedness; and pathways for adolescents and young people—especially vulnerable girls—to move from learning to earning while strengthening agency, resilience and civic engagement. Within this architecture, youth engagement, digital transformation and Learning-to-Earning are not stand-alone streams, but mutually reinforcing approaches that support more flexible, inclusive and resilient learning and skills pathways. UNICEF will support government-led efforts to embed these approaches in national systems, using evidence, partnerships and coherent programme standards to improve quality, accountability, continuity during shocks and opportunities for adolescents and young people. Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, Programmes, the Chief Education (Learning, Skills and Engagement) provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNICEF Mozambique’s LSE programme. The Chief is accountable for the quality, coherence and results of integrated strategies that improve foundational learning, expand inclusive learning and skills pathways, strengthen education system resilience and accountability, and enable adolescents and young people to participate meaningfully and transition towards further learning, work and earning opportunities. The role translates the Country Programme vision into scalable programme strategies; provides authoritative advice to government and partners; ensures clear delegated accountabilities across the section; and uses data and evidence to support adaptive management, policy dialogue, institutionalisation and scale. The Chief leads a diverse multidisciplinary team and fosters an inclusive, ethical and results-oriented culture. Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 1. Strategic leadership, accountability and management of the LSE section 2. Integrated programme design, planning and quality assurance across the three LSE outputs 3. Programme management, monitoring for results, evidence generation and demonstration of impact 4. Policy dialogue, systems strengthening and institutionalisation of scalable models 5. Partnerships, advocacy and resource mobilisation for learning, skills and engagement 6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity development If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:JD_Chief Education (Learning, Skills and Engagement), (P-5), FT, #00047093, Maputo, Republic of Mozambique.pdf To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… Minimum requirements: - Education:Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Education, International Development, Social Science, Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, Public Administration, Youth Development, Educational Planning, Skills Development and any other related fields. - Work Experience:At least 10 years of relevant work experience in Education, Learning, Programme Management, Skills Development, Adolescent Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Fund Raising, International Development, Education Policy, Systems Strengthening, Resource Mobilization, Partnership Management, Education Emergencies and any other related fields. - Demonstrated experience in strategic leadership, programme design, management, monitoring and resource mobilization for large-scale education or adolescent development programmes is required. - Demonstrated experience using data, monitoring and evidence to improve programme quality, demonstrate results and inform policy dialogue, financing or scale-up is required. - Experience providing senior policy advice and working with ministries of education, youth, labour or related government institutions on systems strengthening, sector planning, institutionalization or reform priorities is required. - Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating complex partnerships with government, development partners, private sector, civil society, academia and technical partners is required. - Experience working in a developing country context is required. - Skills:Strategic Leadership, Capacity Development, Innovation, Knowledge Management, Adolescent Development. - Language Requirements:Fluency in English is required. Desirables: - Additional relevant training in Education Systems Strengthening, Programme Design, Youth Engagement, Public Sector Management or Results-based Management is an asset. - Language: Knowledge of Portuguese, or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. - Experience providing strategic oversight for innovation, flexible learning pathways, adolescent skills or learning-to-earning initiatives is a strong asset. - Experience working with major education sector donors and partners, such as the Global Partnershi