National Associate Project Officer (Education)

Post Number : 4UZED0005PA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Tashkent

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) : 15-OCT-2022

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 Uzbekistan may apply for this position

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

With the assistance of UNESCO and the European Union, the Government of Uzbekistan will be implementing the project “Skills Development for the Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan”, recognizing the agriculture skills development as a driver of social and economic development. The overall objective of this project is to enhance living standards in rural areas through better employability for women and men, and the specific objective is to prepare women and men with relevant skills for the needs of a sustainable, diversified and modernized agriculture. The activities of the project will contribute to the following results: (i) to modernize and strengthen governance of skills development in the agriculture and irrigation sectors in line with the labour market demands; (ii) to modernize qualifications and methodologies of skills development to serve the needs of the labour market, learners and workers in the agriculture and irrigation; and (iii) to modernize agriculture and irrigation colleges in rural areas with competent management and teaching staff using modern technologies and teaching and learning methods.

In particular, the project will target development of relevant skills of women and men for sustainable, diversified and modernised agriculture in Uzbekistan. It will also contribute to improving the quality, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the skills development system in the agriculture and irrigation sectors, initiated by the Government of Uzbekistan, with a particular focus on the rural regions selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources (Karakalpakstan, Khorazm, Bukhara, Surkhondaryo).  This project will help the Government to develop, to test and to pilot new initiatives and approaches in the agriculture and irrigation sectors with a view to scaling up transversal methods, high technology agriculture and food processing, and innovative approaches throughout the country.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director General of Education, guidance from the Head of the UNESCO Tashkent Office and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the incumbent shall contribute in the implementation of the project “Skills Development for the Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan”, in particular, the incumbent shall:

• Assist in planning, developing and implementing project activities within the project timeframe and in consultation with the project team;
• Assist in recruitment of the national and international consultants, experts and other service providers;
• Undertake missions as necessary and requested for the project implementation in Uzbekistan.
• Ensure establishment, management and monitoring of contracts and relationships with multiple implementing partners/consultants/contractors covering the range of expertise required to successfully implement the activities, in compliance with the rules and regulations of UNESCO
• Ensure project information and data collection, and facilitate knowledge-sharing amongst stakeholders, including with local authorities and communities, and NGOs
• Ensure the quality of contents provided to the project’s Communication and Visibility Plan, and assist in the development of periodic project reports and briefings
• Liaise with and facilitate consultation between the relevant local authorities in Uzbekistan, NGOs, suppliers and local community stakeholders as required
• Organize periodic stakeholder meetings and capacity-building workshops in order to ensure necessary competencies are transferred from experts to local practitioners
• Facilitate smooth correspondence with the national counterparts and maintain the close collaboration with them

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Communication (C)

Accountability (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, social sciences, agriculture, water management, social sciences or closely related fields.

Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in the field of education, agriculture and irrigation sector skills development.
• Experience in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Skills and competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Good knowledge of results-based and budget management tools;
• Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads and meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to details and quality of work;
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software;  
• Strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skills;
• In-depths understanding of the local context, especially priorities of agriculture sector;
• Excellent project implementation skills;
• Ability to work as part of an international team in a multicultural environment.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge English of Uzbek languages (written and oral) .

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialization in technical and vocational education and training, skills development, agricultural development and/or labor market and employment.

Work Experience

• Experience in EU funded project implementation;
• Experience in skills development in Agriculture or Irrigation sector.

Skills and competencies

• Familiarity with the administrative procedures of UN preferably UNESCO;
• Knowledge of UNESCO’s mission and the Education Sector’s Programme;
• Excellent knowledge of the current context in Uzbekistan, with particular focus on: education sector planning, TVET, Agriculture and Irrigation sector development, economic development, livelihoods, local governance and youth development.
• Ability to engage and form effective working relationships with counterparts and colleagues;
• Ability to work in a complex, rural and remote areas;
• Excellent communication and training facilitation skills in Uzbek, English and Russian languages.

Languages

• Good knowledge of Russian.

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 30,949.

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.

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