Vacancies and How to Get a Job at UNOPS Sierra Leone (Salary, Roles & Application Guide)
UNOPS is recruiting for a Learning and Scaling Lead position in Freetown, Sierra Leone, through the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF). This is a mid-level programme opportunity for an experienced development professional interested in education reform, policy, evidence and scaling successful programmes.
For professionals searching for UNOPS jobs in Sierra Leone 2026, this vacancy stands out because it combines government engagement, education systems strengthening, data-driven decision-making and large-scale programme development. The position is based in Freetown and applications are open until 30 August 2026.
About UNOPS and the Education Outcomes Fund
UNOPS is a United Nations organisation that supports governments, UN agencies and development partners with project management, fund management, hosting and other operational services across more than 130 countries.
This particular position is connected to the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), a global initiative focused on changing how education and skills programmes are financed and delivered. EOF links funding to measurable learning and employment results, with the aim of helping governments build more effective and accountable education systems.
For applicants, this is important because the job is not simply about running an education project. The successful candidate will need to understand how evidence, policy, financing and implementation can work together to create changes that can be sustained and expanded.
Available Position
The current vacancy is:
- Learning and Scaling Lead, Sierra Leone – Freetown
The role is classified as mid-level, ICS-10, under a LICA 10 specialist contract. The assignment is ongoing, subject to organisational requirements, funding availability and satisfactory performance.
1. Learning and Scaling Lead
What You'll Do (Simplified)
The Learning and Scaling Lead will help the Education Outcomes Fund and the Sierra Leone government turn evidence from education programmes into practical improvements and policy decisions.
The role focuses particularly on foundational learning, including literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills. The successful candidate will work closely with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and other stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting government leaders with evidence-based recommendations on education policy and reform.
- Contributing to planning and reviews of foundational learning and early childhood education programmes.
- Identifying lessons from different education delivery models and documenting what works.
- Helping develop plans for integrating successful programmes into government systems.
- Preparing policy briefs, learning papers and strategic recommendations.
- Translating research and international evidence into practical guidance.
- Assessing whether successful interventions can be expanded sustainably.
- Identifying barriers that could prevent programmes from reaching scale.
- Bringing together government, donors, civil society, research institutions and implementing partners.
- Supporting the design and expansion of foundational learning initiatives.
- Encouraging stronger use of data and evidence in programme decisions.
- Analysing quantitative and qualitative information to identify lessons and areas for improvement.
- Helping build government capacity to use evidence in routine decision-making.
Who This Role Is Best For
This is not an entry-level position. Applicants need a minimum of seven years of experience in education, skills-for-employment, development or policy programmes.
A Bachelor's degree is required in areas such as International Development, Public Policy, Education, Business, Economics, Political Science, Finance or a related discipline. A Master's degree in one of these fields is desirable.
Candidates should also have experience working with national or provincial governments, particularly in education, skills development or broader development programmes.
Experience in policy analysis, evidence generation, systems reform or scaling innovative programmes will strengthen an application. Familiarity with early childhood education and outcomes-based financing is also an advantage.
Estimated Salary
Negotiable based on experience.
The vacancy does not provide a specific salary figure.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official UNOPS recruitment process before the closing date.
The vacancy opened on 7 August 2026 and closes on 30 August 2026. Applications must arrive before midnight Copenhagen time on the closing date. UNOPS states that unsolicited CVs are not accepted.
How to Increase Your Chances
This is the type of role where your CV needs to demonstrate impact, not just responsibilities.
Instead of writing that you "supported education programmes," explain what you achieved. For example, highlight:
- Education policies you helped develop or implement
- Government ministries you have worked with
- Programmes you helped scale
- Evidence or research you translated into policy
- Policy briefs and analytical reports you produced
- Donor-funded programmes you managed or supported
- Systems-strengthening initiatives you contributed to
- Measurable improvements resulting from your work
If you have worked directly with ministries, development agencies, donors or large implementing partners, make this highly visible in your application.
How to Successfully Apply for UNOPS Jobs
A strong application should closely match the language and requirements of the vacancy without simply copying the job description.
For this Learning and Scaling Lead position, relevant keywords and areas of expertise include:
- Education systems strengthening
- Foundational learning
- Early childhood education
- Policy analysis
- Evidence synthesis
- Programme scaling
- Government engagement
- Stakeholder management
- Strategic planning
- Programme delivery
- Data-driven decision-making
- Systems reform
- Results-based programming
- Policy briefs
- Development programmes
- Outcomes-based financing
Your CV should also demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement. This role requires someone who can work across government, civil society, donors, research institutions and programme implementers.
Strong written communication is equally important because the position involves producing policy briefs, learning materials and evidence-based recommendations.
English proficiency is required.
What UNOPS Is Looking For Beyond Qualifications
The vacancy places considerable emphasis on behaviours such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, communication and results orientation.
In practical terms, UNOPS is looking for someone who can look beyond an individual project and ask a bigger question: Can this approach work at scale, and what would government need to sustain it?
That distinction could be important during the selection process.
Candidates should therefore prepare examples showing how they have solved complex problems, influenced stakeholders, managed change and turned evidence into practical decisions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic development-sector CV: Tailor your application specifically to education systems, policy and scaling.
- Listing duties without results: Show what changed because of your work.
- Ignoring government experience: Government engagement is a significant part of this position.
- Underestimating the seven-year requirement: Make your relevant experience easy for recruiters to identify.
- Failing to demonstrate analytical ability: Include examples of research, evidence synthesis, data analysis or policy recommendations.
- Waiting until the closing date: UNOPS states that late applications will not be considered.
Final Advice for Applicants
This UNOPS job in Sierra Leone 2026 is particularly attractive for experienced professionals who want to move beyond individual project delivery into education policy, systems reform and large-scale development impact.
The strongest candidates will likely be those who can connect evidence with policy, policy with implementation, and successful implementation with sustainable scale.
If you are researching UNOPS recruitment or wondering how to apply for jobs at UNOPS, focus your application on the specific experience requested in the vacancy. Most importantly, demonstrate how your previous work has helped governments, organisations or communities achieve measurable and sustainable results.
UNOPS also states that it does not charge applicants any recruitment or processing fees. Candidates should be cautious of anyone requesting payment in connection with this vacancy.
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