Operations Associate (Education) at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

03 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

05 Mar, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Programme Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, Coordination, Digital Tools, Curricular Alignment, Project Management, Communication, Operational Planning

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Deadline for Applications March 11, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) C Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS LICA6 Target Start Date 2026-03-16 Terms of Reference UNHCR Zimbabwe and Malawi are now part of the Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Zambia. The overall strategic direction across the three operations is to foster government-led approaches that advance integrated delivery of protection and solutions for displaced populations. Zimbabwe host over 11,000 refugees, asylum-seekers, and others of concern, mainly in Tongogara Camp and its surrounding host communities. Zimbabwe is a signatory to the 1951. UN Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention. Zimbabwe is current reviewing the 1983 Refugee Act which offers a chance to align national law with international standards and expand protection. Despite constraints, refugees are included in the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022–2026). Education remains one of the key strategic areas for UNHCR. The agency aims to strengthen inclusive quality education and support national efforts to integrate forcibly displaced children into the mainstream education system. In line with the strategic priority, UNHCR has been supporting education programmes in Tongogara Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities, including through expanding access to connected education for refugee and host community learners, improving teaching quality through digital tools, and enhancing student engagement and retention. The programme targets over 5,000 learners from Primary 1 to 7 and aligns with UNHCR’s broader education strategy and the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to transforming Tongogara into a service-oriented settlement. While the position will directly report to the Head of National Office, Zimbabwe, the incumbent will work closely with the Senior Operations Officer and Programme Unit at the Multi-Country Office with a dotted technical supervision line to the Education focal point in the MCO. The position will oversee education and related programming implementation and working closely with the Chipinge District and Ministry of Primary and Secondary education on the policy framework, integrated education planning and coordination. Given the integrated nature of interventions in Tongogara Refugee Settlement and the need to coordinate with different stakeholders, the incumbent will also support regular operational programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. The position will also support the implementation of the various projects at field level, ensure well-organized communication and coordination between UNHCR, partners, and government entities and communities, provide regular reporting to various internal and external stakeholders including national education authorities. The Operations Associate (Education) will lead the day-to-day implementation, coordination, and monitoring of education and related interventions including on ProFuturo Connected Education and Primary Impact programmes as well as other duties assigned. The role is critical to ensuring alignment with national education priorities, effective stakeholder engagement, and the sustainability of education interventions for refugee and host community learners. The position will also support overall operational and programme planning, implementation and reporting on various UNHCR interventions and partnerships engaged. Specific duties and responsibilities - Coordinate and monitor implementation of day-to-day education programmes including setting up trainings, delivery plans, progress reports including to national level education authorities etc - Ensuring alignment with the national curricular through monitoring content on the PFF platform, matching content with curricular resources and ensuring coherence of content creation and community of practice - Participate in local humanitarian and development sector working groups to support and ensure refugees issues, needs and capacities are amplified and that refugees are not left behind. - Liaise with external partners like Ministry of Education, District Authorities, UN agencies, Development partners, NGOs and civil society and donors on ongoing programme activities to further inclusion of social services including education. - Provide administrative and operational support across a range of programme activities by fostering linkages and coordination, monitoring and reporting on child protection, GBV, gender, community services, livelihoods/economic inclusion and health, among others, and provide advice on advocating for other actors to ensure that they fully integrate related concerns/needs in their planning and programmes. - Support programme design, planning, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring of education and other related activities by providing regular reports/updates on programmes, operational activities, achievements and challenges, happenings with implication on refugees … - Perform other related duties as required. Standard Job Description Required Languages , , Desired Languages , , Additional Qualifications Skills Education Certifications Work Experience Other information This position doesn't require a functional clearance Remote No Important notice: Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing or training). Read about how to avoid scams and fraudulent job offers. Please note that applications are only accepted via the UNHCR online recruitment platform. CVs and/or application requests sent via email will not be answered, reviewed nor considered. For external applicants: We would like to call your attention on the eligibility of International Professional (P) category: According to our Recruitment and Assignments Policy, P staff members will not normally serve in the country of their nationality, and the first regular appointment in the P category must be outside the staff member's country of nationality. In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of. In case of technical difficulties when applying, external applicants (not current UNHCR workforce members) can write to recruitmentcase@unhcr.org. For former UNHCR Colleagues: Former UNHCR employees who are on mandatory break-in service or have separated from UNHCR after 1 October 2022 should create an account through this platform. Once you fill in your basic personal information (employee ID, birth date, name, email address), Workday will identify you as prior personnel and merge your employee account with your external applicant account. The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact. Why a career with UNHCR? Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines. Disability inclusion If you are a person with a disability and you expect you may face challenges during the recruitment process, you can indicate it in your application form. There are options to select any health conditions you may have and outline any necessary adjustments related to disabilities during the recruitment phases. Providing this information is optional. It will be treated as strictly confidential and used only for the purpose of finding out how to better assist you during the recruitment process. Adjustments for candidates with disabilities will be provided as best as possible and as needed upon request. All candidates will be assessed based on meeting the requirements for each vacancy in relation to experience, skills, and education.

Responsibilities

The Operations Associate (Education) will lead the day-to-day implementation, coordination, and monitoring of education and related interventions, ensuring alignment with national education priorities and effective stakeholder engagement. This includes coordinating daily education programs, monitoring content alignment with the national curriculum, and liaising with external partners like the Ministry of Education.