Pacific Technical Expert for Strategy and Coordination of Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Education

Contract Details and Work Setup

This position is a contract role lasting 18 months and operates primarily from a remote setting.

About UNICEF and Role Context

UNICEF is dedicated to advancing children's rights and their development worldwide, providing staff with meaningful career opportunities including professional growth, inclusion, and a values-driven environment. The organization supports early childhood wellbeing and inclusive education across the Pacific region.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic planning, policy coordination, and reporting to fulfill UNICEF's secretariat responsibilities for the Pacific Regional Council for Early Childhood Development (PRC4ECD).
• Lead and support the organization of the 2027 Pacific Early Childhood Development Forum and oversee completion of outstanding commitments within PRC4ECD.
• Enhance alignment between early childhood development (ECD), inclusive education (IE), and overarching regional education strategies, such as PacREF and the 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent.
• Strengthen the Pacific Regional Inclusive Education Framework (PRIEF) Taskforce’s effectiveness, including monitoring progress and coordinating technical advice linked to upcoming regional ministerial meetings.
• Maintain continuity and provide consistent expert advice to sustain regional momentum on ECD and inclusive education initiatives.

Scope of Work

• Support strategic and operational functions of UNICEF Pacific's secretariat roles for both PRC4ECD and PRIEF.
• Guide implementation of workplans, manage relationships with Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) as it shifts to a co-secretariat model, and facilitate engagement with new co-chairs from Pacific governments.
• Coordinate technical contributions for regional meetings such as Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES) and Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM), collaborating with key partners like the Pacific Disability Forum.
• Engage closely with Pacific Island governments and regional bodies to ensure alignment of priorities and foster coordinated actions without duplication.

Qualifications and Expertise

• Possess an advanced diploma in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Early Childhood Development, Education, Family Health, or a closely related discipline.
• Bring at least 15 years of international-level experience in social development, education, ECD, or inclusion, especially within the Pacific Islands context.
• Demonstrate expertise in designing inclusive stakeholder engagement processes, including liaising with senior government officials.
• Have working knowledge of the Pacific regional governance and experience with organizations such as PRC4ECD or CPEM/PHES is preferred.
• Experience with UNICEF, the United Nations system, or other regional organizations is advantageous.
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication abilities in English.
• Residence in a Pacific Island nation is desirable but not mandatory.

Values and Commitment

Applicants are expected to uphold UNICEF's core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. UNICEF embraces diversity and inclusivity, encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of background or disability, and maintains stringent child protection and ethical standards.

Application Instructions and Terms

• Applicants must submit a current profile and CV, a cover letter, and a financial proposal according to UNICEF's required format.
• No fees are charged at any recruitment stage, and any requests for personal financial information should be treated with caution.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further processes.