Programme Specialist

Post Number : 5SPED 0005RP

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Palestine, State of

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-JUL-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

This position is a non-family duty station

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED) and the functional authority of the Head of the UNESCO National Office in Ramallah, the incumbent will support the planning, coordination and implementation of national programmes in support of Sustainable Development Goal 4, with a focus on Education in Emergencies (EiE), Mental Health and Psycho-social Support (MHPSS), Education Planning, Higher Education (HED), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). In particular, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

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Programme Design and Management:
•    Coordinate, plan, monitor and implement the Office’s Programme on EiE. Identify focus areas and national priorities within the Member States of the sub-region in alignment with the UNESCO Strategy for EiE and Regional Strategic Framework and other development partners' approaches and strategies. Recommend programmes and approaches to respond to multi-sectoral development challenges.
•    Develop, support, and monitor programmes and strategies with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG4-Education 2030) and 8 (SDG8-Employment), the UN Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) and UNESCO Country Strategy (UCS) documents, including in areas of MHPSS, HED and TVET.

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Policy Advice and Technical Assistance:
•    Initiate and develop policy advice, methodological tools and technical assistance to Ministries of Education and other key stakeholders to implement regional and country-level programme activities, in particular in areas of digital solutions including online and blended teaching and learning, sustainable inclusive education, learning loss, TVET, HED and EiE.
•    Develop, implement, and monitor research activities, technical assistance projects, capacity development Programmes and related funding proposals on policy and technical issues pertinent to skills development.

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Knowledge Management, Partnerships and Resources Mobilization:
•    Develop a knowledge base and implement outreach strategies, aimed at expanding and communicating UNESCO programmes.
•    Mobilize and network, in collaboration with national, regional, and international partners, including in the context of the Education Sector Working Group.
•    Mobilize resources to support national activities, by preparing project proposals and cooperation frameworks with Member States and donor agencies and by engaging in fundraising activities.

Team Management:
•    Supervise, manage, and lead a multi-disciplinary team of staff and experts to respond in a timely and effective manner to requirements of internal and external stakeholders.

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)

Building partnerships (M)

Driving and managing change (M)

Leading and empowering others (M)

Making quality decisions (M)

Managing performance (M)

Strategic thinking (M)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, sciences or related social sciences fields.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of education policy development, including 5 years acquired at the national and international level.  
• Proven experience in formulating, implementing, and monitoring education-related policies, strategies, programmes/projects.
• Experience working in an emergency context.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills, and ability to manage staff and teams in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to adapt easily to fast paced environment.
• Analytical skills and ability to collect, synthesize and analyze information from various sources.
• Proven ability to identify emerging development trends and educational needs.
• Ability to provide policy advice and assistance to policy and decision makers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare, present and discuss findings and recommendations clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, and to translate strategy into priorities and action.
• Ability to coordinate and negotiate with partners, network and different stakeholders.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education
•   Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in the field of education, public policy, international development or related field.

Work Experience

• 10 years of progressive professional experience including within the context of education strategies internationally.
• Proven experience in fundraising and resource mobilization.
• Practical experience in policy support and capacity development in education planning, resource projections and information management systems.
• Demonstrated experience in design, management and coordination of education plans and strategies at the international level.
• Experience pertaining to TVET and higher education policies and management.
• Experience in undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis and surveys for data collection.

Skills and competencies

• Familiarity with the work and functioning of the UN System including key mechanisms such as the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), UN Country Team (UNCT), Delivering as One (DaO) and other joint UN Programming and UN inter-agency initiatives.

Languages

• Good knowledge of Arabic and/or French.

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 125, 268 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.

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