Project Officer (Education)
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Post Number : ED/PA 225
Grade : P-3
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-NOV-2023
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
In alignment with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development and in particular SDG target 4.3, UNESCO’s work in the field of higher education focuses on strengthening international cooperation, generating knowledge and research and providing evidence-based knowledge, capacity development and technical support to Member States to enhance their higher education systems and policies. This includes support to policy reviews and work on the right to higher education, recognition and academic mobility, quality assurance, higher technical education.
With the support of the People’s Republic of China, the Section of Higher Education is implementing the UNESCO-China Funds-in-Trust Project Phase III: Higher Technical Education in Africa for a Technical and Innovative Workforce. The objective of the project is to enhance the capacity of higher education institutions in Africa to respond to the skill needs for national development by facilitating collaboration between higher education institutions and the industry, enhancing labor market-oriented teaching, and strengthening competence-based learning. The project will ultimately contribute to tackling youth unemployment, addressing skills mismatch, and promoting socioeconomic development in Africa. As it is focused on strengthening higher technical education, the CFIT III project is embedded in, and contributes to the UNESCO Campus Africa Flagship Programme carried out by the Education Sector, within the framework of the UNESCO Operational Strategy for Priority Africa (2022 – 2029).
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), guidance of the Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems (ED/PLS), and the direct supervision of Chief of Section for Higher Education (ED/PLS/HED), the Project Officer is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring and reporting on the China Funds-in-Trust Project Phase III Higher Technical Education in Africa for a Technical and Innovative Workforce, and is expected to contribute to the implementation of, and reporting on Campus Africa Programme in relation to youth skills development and employability.
Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:
1. Project management and coordination
- Manage the project and coordinate implementation in collaboration with UNESCO field offices, country focal points, and partner universities;
- Develop annual work plans, budget proposal, and monitor implementation;
- Lead the planning of capacity-building and technical support to participating countries in cooperation with field offices and other UNESCO units as relevant;
- Provide guidance and technical backstopping and monitor CFIT implementation by relevant field offices;
- Contribute to policy analysis and provide strategic guidance on activities of UNESCO related to higher technical education for skills development in general, and as related to Campus Africa Flagship Programme.
2. Budget and human resources management
- Monitor overall financial flow, manage funds transfer, budget authorization and take corrective measures when necessary, including expenditure reviews and budget revision;
- Supervise and guide the establishment, implementation, and monitoring of implementation partnership agreements and contracts related to CFIT;
- Identify and hire suitable experts; support training and fulfillment of duties by national project officers in the relevant UNESCO field offices;
3. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Establish and implement monitoring procedures on in-country activities to monitor progress;
- Provide guidance and technical backstopping, and monitor CFIT implementation by relevant field offices; Conduct annual review missions to provide substantive support to project countries;
- Coordinate timely submission of project reports from partner universities and draft synthesis annual reports and analytical consolidated reports to donors;
- Initiate and supervise the evaluation of the project at the closure phase.
4. Communication and knowledge management
- Develop and implement the project communication strategy;
- Prepare written outputs, including concept notes, briefings, analytical notes, reports, and inputs to publications;
- Facilitate information sharing among colleagues, participating countries, stakeholders, implementation partners and the donor.
5. Networking and partnership building
- Maintain and foster positive working relationship with partners and liaise with relevant stakeholders for project implementation;
- Identify funding and partnership opportunities, develop project proposals, and engage with relevant stakeholders to advance the development of the project.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
ASSESSMENT
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international development, public policy, education, or other related areas.
Work Experience
- Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in the field of education , of which preferably minimum 2 years acquired at international level.
- Experience in working on issues related to higher education, youth skills development and employment, preferably at tertiary education level.
- Experience in project management in education, including budget, and coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting at the international level.
- Experience in results-based management and gender mainstreaming approaches in development initiatives.
- Experience working in developing country contexts, preferably in Africa.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong organization and coordination skills.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively, set priorities and work within tight deadlines.
- Ability to draft high quality, clear, concise documents and reports.
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with proven ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent IT skills.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and good knowledge of French.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Languages
- Working knowledge of Chinese.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
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.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 85,071 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that 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.
Please note that 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.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
