Project Manager (Education)

Post Number : 6GWED0001PA

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Guinea-Bissau

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) : 06-OCT-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.

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OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Government of Guinea-Bissau, with the assistance of UNESCO and the European Union, will implement the "Développement, à l’Insertion et au Renforcement des Compétences Techniques en Guinée Bissau (DIRECT)" project to acknowledge the advancement of skills as a catalyst for societal and economic progress.  The primary goal of this five-year project is to provide the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in Guinea Bissau with the resources to adapt to the changing demands of the job market and young people's aspirations to improve their skills and employability.

To achieve this, the project will focus on two main results: 1) improving the institutional capacity of the Ministry of National Education (MEN), the Ministry of Public Administration, Labor, Employment and Social Security (MAPTESS), and TVET stakeholders for effective implementation of the TVET policy; and 2) increasing access to training and skills development for the people of Guinea-Bissau.

In particular, the project will aim to develop relevant skills of young people and disadvantaged groups in Guinea-Bissau.  It will also contribute to improving the quality, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the TVET system in selected high-demand sectors in the country and improving skills training offers in the rural regions, such as Bafatá and Gabu.  This project will help the Government to develop, test and pilot new initiatives and approaches in TVET with a view to scaling up beyond the project cycle.

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Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Director and the Chief of Education Section of the UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office for West Africa (UNESCO Dakar), and the direct supervision of the Head of the Skills Cluster at UNESCO Dakar, the Project Manager will be based in Guinea-Bissau and oversee the day-to-day implementation of the project in Guinea-Bissau.  Specific responsibilities include:

Manage the implementation of the project in line with the project specific objectives, activities, and expected outputs:

• Supervising and providing leadership, guidance, and direction to the project team to ensure that the project outputs are of the highest quality.
• Regularly monitoring and updating the project work plan as necessary.
• Planning and organizing the procurement of goods and services and closely monitoring its implementation.
• Identifying suitable project implementation partners and providers of goods and services.

• Monitoring the implementation of contracts, assessing the quality of services provided, and requesting disbursement of funds.
• Liaising with other development partners, donors, and stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to ensure coordination, harmonization, and alignment of the project with other TVET initiatives and interventions in the country.

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

• Regularly monitoring the financial status of the project and promptly developing a budget revision if needed.
• Providing guidance and direction to the team or responsible officer in carrying out monitoring and evaluation efforts and reporting on progress.
• Regularly preparing, conducting, and following up on meetings of the project steering and technical committees, preparing their minutes and action plans with a clear division of responsibility and timeframe.
• Providing a comprehensive strategic analysis of the project's performance, based on the achievement of indicators, implementation of activities, and delivery of outputs.
• Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor, and partners.
• Ensuring the implementation of the communication and visibility plan of the project in close coordination with the Communication and Outreach Officer at UNESCO Dakar.
• Contributing to 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.

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Policy Advice and Technical Assistance:

• Providing technical assistance to the MEN, MAPTESS, and other TVET stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau on the implementation of the new TVET policy and plans, and initiating relevant policy advice, which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG4-Education 2030) and 8 (SDG8-Employment) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Guinea-Bissau 2022-2026.
• Supporting the MEN and MAPTESS 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.
• Advising the MEN and MAPTESS on the design and implementation of innovative approaches and interventions to enhance the quality, relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the TVET system in selected high-demand sectors selected for the project, and in the rural regions of Bafatá and Gabu.
• Mobilizing UNESCO’s entities, including UNESCO HQ, UNESCO Dakar, IIEP-UNESCO Dakar and UNESCO-UNEVOC network, in support of the national TVET work.
• Sharing international experiences and facilitating access to information, knowledge and good practices

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‍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)

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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 7 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in technical assistance and project management in the field of education, training or skills development, of which preferably 3 years acquired at international level.
• Experience in supporting educational and training reform/development agenda of governments.
• Experience managing and leading teams.

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Skills and Competencies

• Excellent understanding of the TVET or skills development for employment.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to coordinate a complex project.
• Good political judgment with the ability to negotiate at the decision-making level.
• Ability to make technically sound decisions on all aspects of project implementation.
• 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 behaviour 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.

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DESIRABLE 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 EU funded project implementation.
• Work experience in Africa in field of Education, training and/or skills development for employment.
• Experience in policy support and capacity development in education and TVET.

Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation, in particular in UNESCO.

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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 127 587 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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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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