Deputy Director of Education (Curriculum & Teaching), P-5

UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Amman, Jordan

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Deputy Director of Education (Curriculum & Teaching) reports to the Director of Education.

Responsibilities

Coordinates closely with the Education Department Director and Deputy Director of Education (Programme), field office education staff including the Chiefs of Field Education Programme, to ensure curricular and teaching alignment with human rights, UN values and UNESCO standards in UNRWA schools across the Agency and plays a leading and strategic role in further developing and leading the review process relating to curriculum and teaching materials;
Leads on the establishment and oversight of curriculum review, curriculum policy and framework revisions, developing and maintaining supplementary teaching and learning materials, including digital materials, and the implementation of monitoring mechanisms relating to the effective classroom use of materials and teacher support, including pre-service and in-service training, in alignment with UN values and UNESCO Standards, across the five fields. This includes, but is not limited to, holding responsibility for the UNRWA Curriculum Framework and Teacher Policy, and ensuring their regular review;
Collaborates with the Deputy Director of Education (Programme) and works closely with other senior education team members on planning and reporting related to curriculum, teaching and learning matters, including in emergency response, ensuring strategic alignment with Agency goals;
Leads the efforts to integrate human rights, conflict resolution and tolerance throughout UNRWA’s education programmes and in UNRWA schools, and supports the transition to a gender-responsive Global Citizenship Education. Establishes a system for monitoring the impact of teaching of human rights, peace, tolerance, and conflict resolution, the incorporation of UN values across all teaching practice in all five fields;
Oversees the teacher training and development programmes to ensure all teachers are well equipped to teach the curriculum and education programmes , have a high level of mastery of the substance of the curriculum, as well as a deep understanding of the underpinning UN values and UNESCO standards they are to convey during their classes;
Coordinates with other UN agencies, international NGOs and global organisations, on a national, regional and global level relating to curriculum, teaching and learning matters; and supports the Director and senior technical field office staff in engaging with Ministries of Education at national level on curriculum, teaching, and learning matters;
Ensures that UNRWA curriculum, teaching, and learning materials and processes are inclusive, gender-responsive and that children with disabilities are increasingly mainstreamed in UNRWA schools through policy advancements, strategic partnerships, and robust monitoring systems and technical support to the five fields;
Substantively contributes to the governance of the Education Programme, and ensuring that governance documents reflect UN values and UNESCO standards, through the development, implementation, revision and monitoring of education policies, strategies and Educational Technical Instructions relating to curriculum, teaching, and learning matters;
Plays a lead role in resource mobilization and in overseeing all aspects of curriculum and teaching in UNRWA’s basic education programme, financial and budget planning and implementation related to curriculum, teaching and learning technical work coordinating with the Deputy Director of Education (Programme) and other senior staff. Oversees and advises on the implementation of curriculum review initiatives across UNRWA's five fields of operation. Leads and ensures the effective and efficient implementation of project funds through out the project management cycle across the Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning Division;
Represents the Director of Education on special and ad-hoc assignments; acts for the Director of Education and/or the Deputy Director of Education (Programme) during their absence.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Creating and Maintaining Impact and Change Demonstrating self-awareness Planning and Organizing Adapting and Responding to Change Relating and Networking Leading and Supervising Ability to think strategically and to manage and drive change Positive attitude and strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in education with a focus on curriculum, teaching and learning is required.

Work Experience

At least ten years of work experience in the field of education, preferably in direct relationship to curriculum, teaching, and learning systems and/or materials development and review for basic education at a UN, multilateral or bilateral international organization, or ministry of education is required;
At least five years of relevant experience outside one’s home country, in a development and/or humanitarian context in education programme implementation and operational management, is required;
At least five years of relevant work experience at a high managerial level 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;
Work experience in the design and/or review of curriculum, teaching, and learning materials and monitoring mechanisms related thereof is desirable;
Knowledge of educational issues in the Middle East is desirable;
PhD in education is desirable.