Closing date: Friday, 20 March 2015

UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.

Title: Associate Project Officer

Domain: Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Grade: P2

Organizational Unit: Section for Youth, Literacy and Skills Development in the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems

Duty Station: Paris, France

Type of contract: Project Appointment

Annual salary: With dependent: approx. USD 73,966 Without dependent: approx. USD 69,377

Duration of the contract 1 year , with possibility of extension depending on availability of funds and performance

Deadline (midnight, Paris time): 20 March 2015

Application to be sent to: recruitmentBEAR@unesco.org (UNESCO CV with a covering letter)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

I. Background

UNESCO is implementing its Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which aims at strengthening UNESCO assistance to Member States to transform their TVET systems and practices with focused actions on the Strategy's three core areas: (i) provision of upstream policy advice and related capacity development in the field of TVET; (ii) conceptual clarification of skills development and improvement of monitoring; and (iii) acting as a clearinghouse and informing the global TVET debate.

In this context, UNESCO is implementing several TVET programmes including in the framework of UNESCO's Better Education for Africa's Rise (BEAR). BEAR project aims to support five Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries (Botswana, DR Congo, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia) in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). In particular, the project is working to update curricula, better train TVET teachers and trainers, engage employers and enterprises in helping TVET to focus on specific sectors carefully chosen for their potential for creating jobs. The project's time frame is five year (2011-2016) and the overall budget is US$ 10 million.

II. Duties and requirements

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, overall guidance of the Director, the immediate supervision of the Chief of Section for Youth, Literacy and Skills Development (YLS) and in close collaboration with the concerned clusters and field offices, the incumbent will act as the focal point for the overall coordination and technical backstopping of BEAR project.

Specifically, s/he will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities

1) Technical assistance and monitoring of BEAR:

• Support the Chief of TVET section in supervising the implementation of the BEAR project
• Based on the programme framework, collaborate closely with UNESCO Field Offices, Regional Bureaux in Education in preparing and updating country programme documents and work plans for all five participating countries
• Ensure that Field Offices revise/update their respective work plans on a regular basis, in line with the overall Programme results framework, priorities and strategic approaches
• Participate in managing the operational plan and in monitoring BEAR project implementation and contribute to set-up collaborative framework for effective implementation of the project.
• Contribute to set up a collaborative framework between HQ, Field office, 5 member states and implementing partners
• Draft terms of references, manage contracts and provide inputs regarding BEAR project activities implementation

2) Documents, communications, analysis and reporting:

• Prepare or contribute to briefings, reports, articles, presentations, travel on mission; establish and maintain communication with stakeholders and possible partners
• Draft documents related to BEAR project progress and implementation and support the BEAR project team in supervising project's activities
• Prepare technical briefs/status updates on the BEAR country programmes;
• Prepare consolidated analytical reports on BEAR country programmes against results matrix for donor reports and provide quality assurance on individual country inputs;
• Provide technical support to the organization of national, sub-regional and regional events (seminars and workshops) as necessary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, engineering, development studies or related area.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least two years of relevant work experience in the field of Education and TVET, preferably both at international and national levels.
• Experience in coordinating of TVET programmes.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Good team building and ability to work in international environment.
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and oral expression.
• Good computer and other IT skills.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English and good knowledge of French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Experience and understanding of capacity development in education and training.
• Good knowledge of the changing labour market and the world of work in particular in developing countries would be an asset.
• Previous experience with UN agencies and understanding of the UN system.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO's salaries are calculated in US dollars and exempt from income tax. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send your application letter, UNESCO CV (CV Form to be used), in English by email: ecruitmentBEAR@unesco.org before 20 March 2015 midnight (Paris time).

Application Information: https://en.unesco.org/careers/sites/careers/files/VN%20BEAR%20P2%20rev%20%20modif-final.pdf