Associate Project Officer

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED) and of the Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, the general guidance of the Chief of the Section for Teacher Development (ED/PLS/TED) and the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist (Project Coordinator), the Associate Project Officer will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• S/he will support the implementation of UNESCO Teacher programmes in selected African countries as well as a regional programme funded by the European Union entitled «UNESCO Action: Strengthening teacher policy and practice in Sub-Saharan Africa ». The UNESCO Action is part of the broader European Union Commission’s Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (EU RTIA), launched in early 2023 and which brings together EU Member States Belgium, Finland and France, the African Union and UNESCO to support the implementation of the UNSG High Level Panel Recommendations on the teaching profession in sub-Saharan Africa.
• UNESCO Action includes the following interventions: a) participate in the coordination and support the implementation of the Initiative together with the European Commission and the Consortium of EU Member States, and the African Union Commission; b) support the African Union Commission (AUC) in aligning the Initiative and building synergies with the Continental Education Strategy for Africa, strengthening its capacity on teacher matters; c) undertake research to provide instruments and policy tools to support partner countries and contribute to the Facility’s implementation; and d) disseminate the opportunities, interventions, findings and lessons learnt of the Initiative, utilizing the International Teacher Task Force (TTF) networks, flagship events, publications and platforms; namely its Knowledge Hub and Teacher Resource Center.
• The Section for Teacher Development, based in UNESCO Headquarters, represents the Organization within the EU RTIA. The implementation of the interventions entrusted to UNESCO will however, mobilize several units, particularly the UNESCO-International Institute for Capacity-Building in Africa (IICBA), several Field Offices, as well as the International Teacher Task Force (TTF) and other relevant partnerships and networks in which UNESCO plays an active role in the Africa region. The Associate Project Officer will work in UNESCO’s Section for Teacher Development.

The Associate Project Coordinator will: 

• Assist with the overall management of the UNESCO Action or project. This includes the regular update of management tools for effective work planning and monitoring of progress, the drafting of guidance documents on key processes and procedures, the logistical preparation of coordination meetings with other UNESCO implementing units, support in the identification of risk, implementation delays and remedial actions as well as the preparation of progress report to keep stakeholders informed and ensure project objectives are met.
• Assist with the preparation of briefing and technical material: this includes the search, compilation and summary of background documentation for use in the preparation of reports, briefs, speeches; scan of reports and other information sources to identify subjects of interest to the supervisor. Independently handling of a wide range of complex information requests and inquiries (e.g., answer requests requiring file or other documentation research). It also includes draft of responses to written inquiries on specific and/or complex questions, follow-up on the preparation by staff of reports, correspondence, briefing notes and other documents for the supervisor; exercise of quality control function for outgoing documents; proofreading and edition of texts for adherence to UNESCO format and style; may make informal translations.
• Provide substantive, logistical and administrative support to projects, consultations, meetings, events and missions.
• Assist with knowledge production and management. This includes assisting with the review of draft knowledge products’ compliance with set terms of references and corporate editorial policy, coordinating the production work of knowledge pieces including news, blogpost, reports and studies, drafting inputs for knowledge pieces when relevant.
• Assist with the communication and visibility of the EU initiative and supporting UNESCO Action. This includes drafting inputs for and reviewing communication and visibility products, supporting their disseminating and occasionally delivering presentation
• Actively participate in coordination meetings;
• Ensure good organization of the filing of project document;

Ensure timely completion of tasks, including:

• annual progress reports
• development/revision of the Initiative documents and any strategic paper
• overview of budget planning and regular budget updates
• briefs on the Initiative and communication tools
• mission reports, communication materials

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in education, psychology, development studies, or related areas.

Work Experience

• At least two years of relevant experience in multi-country education programme management or related area, of which preferably 1 year acquired in an international level.
• Proven experience in implementation of multi-country and regional activities in sub-Saharan Africa such as the organization of calls for proposal and calls for expressions of interests, research, workshops, and conferences engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
• Familiarity with teaching and learning issues, and policy development processes in education.

Skills and competencies

• Good command of Office software and spreadsheets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good communication skills.
• Ability to work within a team and in a multicultural environment

Languages

• Excellent in English or French with excellent drafting skills, and very good working knowledge of the other language.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Paris-Associate-Project-Officer/801641502/