OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), and the immediate supervision of the Director of Regional and Multisectoral Office in Yaounde, the incumbent is responsible for education programme and project work, advice, capacity development, research and knowledge management, networking, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
The incumbent works within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and global/regional development plans such as the 2030 Agenda and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring quality and evidence-based programming in line with the strategic axis of UNESCO Education Sector, the UNESCO Regional Education Strategy, and country specific priorities. The incumbent is expected to contribute, through programming and technical support, to regional and country education strategies and programmes, competency building, and surge capacity for the development/transformation of education systems, including in countries affected by crisis/conflict.
Long Description
More specifically, the incumbent will:
- Participate in the conceptualization, design, planning, development, coordination, monitoring and implementation of the Education programmes, projects, and initiatives of Regional Bureau in line with UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy, the approved Programme and Budget, the 2030 Agenda, the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025, and as per countries’ needs and priorities, including in emergency and crisis situations.
- Appraise and analyse the context of education in the region and the countries concerned, including the Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), education quality and relevance, internal efficiency, teacher policies and development, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), etc., and assist line ministries in formulating sound policy advice and strategies to ensure the transformation of education systems.
- Develop, plan, implement, and coordinate initiatives pertinent to education development and transformation, at country and regional level, to scale up inclusive policies, good practices, and expand knowledge base evidence.
- Contribute to the provision of policy advice and technical assistance to ministries of education and education partners. Provide advice and technical support to field office and peers on matters related to education development/transformation and advice on applicable tools, policies, and resources.
- Monitor regular and extra budgetary funded projects, activities, and programme implementation and outputs in a timely, coherent, and integrated manner.
- Contribute to the evaluation of and report on projects and programmes. Provide inputs to the preparation of reports on the implementation of projects and other briefings.
- Contribute to UNESCO’s involvement in the UN works/initiatives, identify areas for improved alignment of projects and activities at country and region levels, including the preparation of Common Country Assessments (CCAs), United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF), Country Programme Documents (CPDs) and Country Programme Action Plans (CPAPs), in alignment with UN and UNESCO regional objectives as well as country’s priorities.
- Participate in the Local Education Group (LEG) and contribute to the coordination and exchange between concerned parties such as UNESCO HQs, governments, UN agencies, International Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and bilateral donors.
- Contribute to networking, partnership building and fund-raising efforts to support the implementation of education programs, projects, and activities by creating/exploring partnership opportunities, identifying funding potentials, preparing project proposals and cooperation frameworks and following up with donors.
- Contribute to the development and expansion of a knowledge base on the particular area(s)/theme(s) of assignment, ensuring regular contributions to web and printed content and dissemination to colleagues, peers and stakeholders.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences or other related areas.
Work Experience
A minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in analysis, planning, development, management and implementation of education programmes, of which two (2) years acquired at international level.
Proven experience in the areas of programme development, technical assistance, resource mobilization, and program monitoring and evaluation.
Skills & Competencies
Very good knowledge of the contexts, priorities, and challenges of education systems in developing countries, in particular in African countries.
Excellent coordination, organization, and planning skills.
Ability to build effective teams, promote teamwork and foster cross-sectoral collaboration. Ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in multi-cultural environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to draft clear and concise reports/documents and to communicate persuasively.
Ability to raise funds and mobilize resources.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of French and good knowledge of English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
Experience in implementing programme and projects at least in one of the following domains: Education Management Information System (EMIS), Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Teacher Policies and Development, Inclusive Education, Education in Emergencies, Non-Formal Education (NFE).
Languages
- Working knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish.
