Associate National Project Officer (Education)

Post Number : 6SLED0001PA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Freetown

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) : 30-MAY-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.

Only nationals of Sierra Leone may apply to this position.

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”.

As part of its programs for TVET, UNESCO is advocating for increased support for TVET in Member States, particularly those in Africa. Since 2011, UNESCO, with the support of the Republic of Korea, has been implementing the Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR) project. The project has been implemented over five years (2011 – 2016) with a budget of 10 million USD, supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea (RoK). The project has helped five SADC countries (Botswana, DR Congo, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia) to improve their TVET systems. Phase II of BEAR (2017-2022) was implemented across Eastern Africa – in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda.

Following the success of BEAR phase I and phase II, joint efforts between UNESCO and the Government of the RoK will now be expanded through the implementation of BEAR III to support four new beneficiary countries in West Africa – Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. This project will support these countries in their efforts to reform and develop their TVET systems, while benefitting from knowledge and experience gained under BEAR I and II. Expanding the project to the Western Africa region will also contribute to addressing challenges including:
-    Relevance of TVET programs to industry and the labour market
-    Quality of TVET
-    Perception of TVET

Under the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Office, the general (overall) supervision of the Chief, Section for Youth, Literacy and Skills at the Headquarters (HQs) and the direct supervision of the Education Specialist in the UNESCO Abuja Regional Office, the incumbent shall contribute to the daily coordination of the BEAR III Project’s support to TVET in the country. Specifically, the incumbent’s tasks will cover:

1. Participation in organizing the detailed operational plan and coordinating the implementation of the project in compliance with the project specific objectives, activities and expected outputs by:

• Ensuring a quality achievement of the programme outputs in line with UNESCO qualitative standards and BEAR III results matrix;
• Designing a detailed work plan and regularly monitoring its implementation;
• Identifying project implementation partners and providers of goods and services;
• Drafting terms of reference of contracts;
• Following–up on the implementation of the contracts, assessing the quality of services provided and requesting disbursement of funds.

‍

‍2. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and the reporting on project activities by:

• Contributing to monitoring and evaluating project activities, reporting on progress and suggesting updates of the project log frame;
• Presenting aggregate strategic analysis on project performance based on commitment of indicators and implementation of activities as well as output delivery;
• Regularly monitoring the financial status of the project and promptly developing budget revision if needed;
• Regularly conducting meetings of the project steering, preparing minutes of meetings and action plans with clear responsibility and timeframe;
• Conducting periodic project reviews with government counterparts and other partners recording the results of the review meetings in minutes and action plans;
• Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor and partners;
• Providing content on major project’s achievements and steps in project implementation for UNESCO's public information services to increase the visibility of UNESCO;
• Fostering exchanges of information, experience, identifying new strategies of action to improve delivery of services and to achieve the project requirements and objectives;
• Supervising and providing leadership, guidance and direction for the project team through periodic meetings and other relevant measures.

‍‍

3. Liaise with government, national stakeholders and international stakeholders by:

• Ensuring project alignment with Government reforms in TVET and its sectoral priorities;
• Identifying relevant institutions and ensuring their engagement in project’s activities;
• Ensuring capacity development of national stakeholders in all activities at individual, organizational and system levels;
• Mobilizing UNESCO’s entities in support of the Government reforms including UNESCO-HQ, UNESCO Institutes and UNESCO-UNEVOC network;
• Sharing international experiences and facilitating access to information, knowledge and good practices;
• Setting-up mechanisms and actions to ensure sustainability of project’s outputs;
• Maintaining regular relations with national counterparts and key stakeholders (Ministries, TVET providers, regional and local authorities, etc.);
• Establishing relationship and collaboration with employers and their representatives (Federations and Chambers), to foster their active participation as key stakeholders in the project implementation.

4. Ensure communication and visibility by:

• Preparing the project visibility plan and ensuring its implementation;
• Preparing technical briefs/status updates on the project for wider dissemination;
• Organizing communication events (seminars and workshops) and liaising with local and international media.

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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Engineering, Science, Rural Development, or closely related areas. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of work experience in the field of education, preferably related to TVET.
• Experience in team building and management of education programmes.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience in working with Government partners.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to interact with a wide range of high–level partners.
• Ability to work in result-oriented teams.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Good computer and other IT skills, including excellent skills in MS Office.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

‍

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Competencies

• Experience and understanding of the Sierra Leone context – federal, regional and local  and a clear understanding of the development work.
• Experience with UN agencies and understanding of the UN system, including its administrative procedures and DAO process.

‍

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 USD 14, 594.

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.

‍

Footer

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.

‍