National Project Officer (Education) - NOC

Position number:  6NPED1200PA

Class:  NO-C

Supervisory sector:  Education sector (ED)

Duty station:  Guinea-Bissau

Job Family:  Education

Contract Type:  Project Commitments

Contract duration:  1 year

Recruitment open to:  Internal and external candidates

Closing date for applications (midnight Paris time):  27-Mar-2025

UNESCO's core values: Commitment to the Organization, integrity, respect for diversity, professionalism

1 year contract with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Only nationals of Guinea-Bissau can apply for this position.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Director, the Head of the Education Section and the Responsible for the Skills For Life And Work Cluster of the UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office for West Africa (UNESCO Dakar), and the direct supervision of the DIRECT Project Manager, the Project Officer will be based in Guinea-Bissau and will oversee the day-to-day implementation of the "Development, Insertion and Strengthening of Skills Techniques (DIRECT)” project in Guinea-Bissau. Specific responsibilities include:

Ensure the implementation of the DIRECT project in Guinea-Bissau to advance skills development, prioritizing expanded access to TVET, while also supporting TVET development in rural areas through the use of national languages ​​and digital technology
• Propose and organize support activities for ministerial departments, TVET centers and relevant stakeholders to achieve high-quality objectives and results in line with the established workplan.
• Draw up the programmer's activity and progress reports in accordance with the required specifications
• Ensure the mobilization of partners and the development of partnerships, particularly financial partnerships, around the program
• Ensure that the project is implemented in line with the activities of UNESCO's Education program as a whole, in particular those relating to TVET and to lifelong learning.

Support the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and reporting on project activities
• Monitor the financial status of the project on a regular basis and promptly suggesting budget revisions if needed.
• Prepare, conduct, and follow up on meetings with project stakeholders on a regular basis, preparing their minutes and action plans with a clear division of responsibility and timeframe.
• Ensure the preparation of reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor, and partners.
• Compile and organize quantitative and qualitative information to support the team or responsible officer in carrying out monitoring and evaluation efforts and reporting on progress
• Contribute to the implementation of the communication and visibility plan of the project in close coordination with the Communication and Outreach Officer at UNESCO Dakar.
• Participate in the dissemination of the project's results and knowledge products through various channels, such as workshops, webinars, and publications, and ensuring that the information is accessible and usable by the project's stakeholders.

Policy Advice and Technical Assistance
• Provide technical backstop to key stakeholders and implementing partners on activities related to access to training and skills development and to strengthening the professional skills of people in rural areas by using national languages ​​and digital technology.
• Support the Ministry of National Education (Ministério da Educação nacional - MEN), the Ministry of Public Administration, Work, Employment and Social Security (Ministério da Administração Pública, Trabalho, Emprego e Segurança Social - MAPTESS) and other implementing agencies in developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and outcomes of the project, ensuring that the indicators are relevant, valid, reliable, and aligned with the project's objectives and the country's priorities.

• Support the Ministry of National Education (Ministério da Educação nacional - MEN), the Ministry of Public Administration, Work, Employment and Social Security (Ministério da Administração Pública, Trabalho, Emprego e Segurança Social - MAPTESS) and implementing agencies on the design and implementation of innovative approaches and interventions to enhance access to TVET and to strengthen the competencies of people in rural areas by using national languages ​​and digital technologies.
• Mobilize UNESCO's entities, including UNESCO HQ, UNESCO Dakar, IIEP-UNESCO Dakar and UNESCO-UNEVOC, in support of the DIRECT project implementation.

Contribute to the achievement of SDG4 at national level and to the sharing of good practice at regional and international levels
• Capitalize on the successful experiences of the DIRECT project and share these experiences and good practices so that they can be replicated and contextualized in other countries in the West Africa region, in other countries on the African continent and beyond.
• Contribute to regional, continental and international programs related to TVET, lifelong learning and the integration of national languages ​​in education in which Guinea Bissau is a stakeholder.
• Contribute to analytical and situational reports at regional, continental and international level in relation to TVET, lifelong learning and the integration of national languages ​​in education by sharing existing data and Guinea Bissau experience.

SKILLS (Fundamental / Managerial)

Communication (F)

Responsibility (F)

Innovation (F)

Sharing knowledge and constant desire for improvement (F)

Planning and organization (F)

Results culture (F)

Teamwork (F)

Professionalism (F)

For more information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, engineering, social sciences or closely related field(s).

Work Experience
• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in technical assistance and project implementation in the field of education, training or skills development.
• Experience in issues related to TVET, skills development and lifelong learning.
• Experience in implementing projects and programs with government and civil society partners.

Skills and Competencies
• Excellent project management skills and ability to coordinate a complex project.
• Ability to make technically sound advice on all aspects of project implementation.
• Sound political judgment with the ability to inform decision-making.
• Ability to provide upstream policy advice at highest levels.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the Organization.
• Ability to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong IT skills.

Languages
​​• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of Portuguese and working proficiency in French and/or in English.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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

Work Experience
• Work experience in issues related to non-formal education and the integration of national languages ​​in education.
• Work experience in EU funded project implementation.
• Work experience of integrating ICT in education.

Skills and Competencies
• Good knowledge of programming policies and procedures in the field of international development cooperation, particularly within the United Nations system in Guinea Bissau
• Excellent ability to present effectively to a diverse audience
• Advanced computer skills.

SALARIES AND COMPENSATIONS

UNESCO salaries consist of a base salary and other benefits which may include, where applicable: 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan, etc.

The starting annual salary for this position is around 19,150,000 CFA.

For more information on salaries and allowances, please see our  Staff Salary and Allowances Guide .

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all applicants must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website . No changes can be made to the submitted application.

Candidate evaluation is based on the criteria in the vacancy announcement and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.  

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconferencing, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted and candidates at the final selection stage will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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