Education Officer

Host entity: UNICEF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Education, Administration, Community development

Application deadline: 31/08/2026

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is a key UN agency working in Somalia in various aeras such as WASH, Child Protection, Social Policy, Health and Nutrition, and Education sectors. With a population of 3,798,828 people and a significant youth and adolescent proportion forming a huge youth bulge, Somalia faces an unprecedented challenge in addressing the youth and adolescent needs of the people in a complex context where conflict, natural disasters and climate change divert resources from the needs of this important cohort of the population. Approximately 62% of the population is between 5-29 years old, while three-quarters (72%) of the population is less than 30 years old. The unemployment rate is high (estimated at 50%) that also contributes to poverty.

Assignment context

This United Nations Volunteer assignment is part of the UNICEF–WFP Joint Resilience Programme (JRP) in Galmudug. The Education Officer will be based in Dhusamareb and Galkayo and support the planning, implementation and monitoring of education activities in the assigned project area, contributing to programme delivery across the 51 JRP-targeted schools in Galmudug. Working under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Education Specialist and in close collaboration with the Galmudug Ministry of Education, the Dhusamareb and Galkayo District Education Officers, WFP, implementing partners, schools and Community Education Committees, the Education Officer will help ensure the timely, coordinated and accountable delivery of JRP education results. The position will also strengthen community mobilization and collaboration between education, health, nutrition and other relevant sectors to address the multiple barriers affecting children’s access to, participation in and completion of education.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Education Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Support the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of JRP education activities in the assigned project area, in line with approved workplans, budgets and the programme results framework.
• Maintain regular engagement with the Galmudug Ministry of Education, the Dhusamareb and Galkayo District Education Office and other relevant education authorities to support the joint planning, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of JRP education activities.
• Work closely with WFP, implementing partners, schools, Community Education Committees and UNICEF colleagues to facilitate the coordinated and timely delivery of activities.
• Collect, verify, analyse and maintain programme, school and beneficiary data for JRP-targeted schools and support accurate and timely internal and donor reporting.
• Participate in regular field-monitoring visits to schools and project sites; assess implementation progress, document findings, identify bottlenecks and risks, and follow up on agreed actions with responsible counterparts.
• Support the preparation and review of workplans, implementation documents, technical briefs, meeting minutes, monitoring reports, and programme and donor-reporting inputs.
• Monitor partner deliverables and the use of programme resources against approved plans, and promptly flag delays, implementation gaps or compliance issues for management action.
• Provide technical and operational support to government and implementing partners on quality, inclusive, gender-responsive and risk-informed education programming, with particular attention to crisis-affected children, girls and children with disabilities.
• Support community mobilization in Dhusamareb and Galkayo and surrounding JRP-targeted communities, working with Community Education Committees, parents, teachers, local leaders, women’s and youth groups, and displaced and host communities to promote school enrolment, regular attendance, retention and the safe return of out-of-school children to learning.
• Strengthen community engagement and ownership of JRP education activities through community consultations, awareness-raising sessions, school campaigns and community feedback mechanisms that help identify and address barriers affecting children’s access to, participation in and completion of education.
• Coordinate with health, nutrition and other relevant sectors and community-based service providers to strengthen cross-sectoral engagement, information-sharing and referral pathways for vulnerable children and families.
• Support education coordination meetings and capacity-building activities intended to improve enrolment, attendance, retention, learning and accountability at the school and community levels.
• The assignment will contribute to timely JRP delivery, reliable programme data and reporting, stronger coordination, and improved access to quality, inclusive and resilient education for targeted children.

Skills and experience

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in education programming, community mobilization, community engagement and/or community-based programme implementation.
• Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, schools, Community Education Committees, parents, local leaders and other community structures to support children’s enrolment, attendance and retention in education.
• Ability to collect, verify, analyse and present programme data and to prepare clear, accurate and timely technical reports.
• Strong communication, coordination, teamwork and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and field-based environment.
• Proficiency in standard office applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email and online collaboration tools.
• As this is a National UN Volunteer assignment, the candidate must be a Somali national or legal resident of Somalia.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

The assignment(s) is based in Dhusamareb and Galkayo, Galmudug State, with regular field travel to JRP-supported schools and communities. Security conditions may change and may result in movement restrictions. The assignment requires cultural sensitivity, flexibility, resilience and readiness to work in field conditions. The UN Volunteer must comply with all United Nations security procedures and travel requirements. Benefits and allowances apply in accordance with the UNV Conditions of Service.

You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.