Project Officer (Education) at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Project Officer (Education)

Post Number: 6NGED0004PA
Location: Abuja
Grade: P-3
Parent Sector: Field Office
Job Family: Education
Type of Contract: Project Appointment
Duration of Contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Recruitment Open to: Internal and external candidates

Overview of the Functions of the Post

• The international community has set an ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It calls for an integrated approach to development. Education and training are central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
• The vision of the Incheon Declaration  about Education 2030 is fully captured by Sustainable Development Goal 4 "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".
• Education 2030 devotes considerable attention to technical and vocational skills development, specifically regarding access to affordable quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); acquisition of technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship; elimination of gender disparity and ensuring access for the vulnerable - see also SDG 8 “Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all”.
• Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for West Africa (in Abuja, Nigeria) and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Specialist, the incumbent will act as the focal point for the overall coordination of the BEAR III project and technical backstopping of TVET, which will also focus on coordination and building partnerships for scaling up of TVET interventions.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities
Coordination and Monitoring:

• Coordinate the implementation of the BEAR III project in cooperation with concerned Field Offices and HQ;
• Contribute to set up a collaborative framework between the Regional Office, HQ, concerned Field offices, 4 member states and implementing partners;
• Based on the programme framework, coordinate with National Projects Officers in beneficiary countries, Field offices and the section in charge of TVET at HQ in preparing and updating country programmes documents and work plans for all four participating countries;
• Propose and monitor with Field Offices appropriate adjustment/action in their respective work plans on a regular basis, in line with the overall Programme results framework, priorities and strategic approaches;
• Provide technical expertise to  BEAR III-related  activities  and  programmes  in  close collaboration with concerned UNESCO Field Offices and HQ;
• Conduct reviews and analysis of lessons learned and achievements of BEAR III project activities implementation;
• Contribute to policy analysis and advise governments, ministries and colleagues on programmes development, resources and best practices related to TVET in relation with BEAR III areas of actions;
• Leverage on the good practices and knowledge acquired from the BEAR III beneficiary countries to develop, where appropriate, a programme to share with Non-BEAR III countries in the region;
• Lead the planning and implementation of BEAR III regional activities in cooperation with concerned Field Offices, HQ and UNESCO-UNEVOC.

Communications, Analysis and Reporting:

• Prepare briefings, reports, articles and presentations regarding BEAR III;
• Draft documents related to BEAR III project progress and implementation, including BEAR III quarterly progress reports for each country, the annual progress reports and the regional implementation plan for BEAR III, including a work plan for cross-country activities, and the coordinating strategy with the four BEAR III beneficiary countries;
• Prepare consolidated analytical reports on BEAR III country programmes against results matrix for donor reports and provide quality assurance on individual country inputs.

Representation and Coordination with Partners:

• Establish and maintain communication with stakeholders and possible partners at regional level in relation with BEAR III;
• Represent UNESCO in conferences and meetings concerned with strategies, policies or programmes in the field of TVET, particularly in relation with BEAR III;
• Identify funding opportunities and partners and develop project proposal for submission and follow-up and maintain working relations with stakeholders and possible partners with a view to ensure sustainability of BEAR III and scale-up of its achievements;
• Develop and strengthen partnerships by engaging with partners working in the area of TVET and skills on BEAR III and other countries in the region;
• Identify and develop opportunities for resource mobilization for other countries in the region to implement projects similar to BEAR III.

Coordination of Project Activities in Nigeria:

• Maintain  regular  relations  with  national  counterparts  and  key  stakeholders  in  Nigeria  (Ministries,  TVET providers, regional and local authorities, private sector, etc.);
• Draft  terms  of  reference,  manage  contracts  and  provide  inputs  regarding  BEAR  III  project  activities implementation in Nigeria;
• Ensure a quality achievement of the programme outputs in line with UNESCO qualitative standards and BEAR III results matrix;
• Design a detailed work plan and regularly monitor its implementation in Nigeria.

Required Qualifications
Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Education, Economics and/or the Social Sciences.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in the field of education, of which preferably minimum of 2 years acquired at international level.
• Experience in the field of TVET, teacher training or labour market analysis.
• Experience working on issues related to youth skills development and employment.
• Experience in coordinating programmes cycle including  planning, management, monitoring and evaluation in the field of TVET.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong organization and coordination skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with proven ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Word, Excel etc.).

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of English.

Desirable Qualifications:
Work Experience:

• Experience and understanding of capacity development in education and training.
• Experience in coordination of a multi-country project.
• Experience within UN agencies and understanding of the UN System.

Skills and Competencies:

• Good knowledge of the changing labour market and the world of work in particular in Africa.

Languages:

• Working knowledge of French.
• Knowledge of other UNESCO Official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

Competencies (Core / Managerial):

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C
• For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Benefits and Entitlements

• The approximate annual starting salary for this post is USD 101,312.
• UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
• For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application deadline  12th May, 2023.

Selection and Recruitment Process

• All candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.
• To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
• The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 
• UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
• Only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided