SENIOR EDUCATION PROGRAMME SPECIALISTS

Post Number : IEP/PA/121/122/123/6SNIEP0071PA/6SNIEP0072PA

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 10-JUNE-2022 (Extended)

 

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

 

​​​​​​Duration of contract: 2 years renewable with a six months probationary period. Extension of contract is subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Up to 5 Senior Education Programme Specialists positions are to be filled. IEP/PA/121/122/123/6SNIEP0071PA/6SNIEP0072PA

 Duty Station: Paris and Dakar

 

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ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

As the only specialized organization with the mandate to support educational policy, planning and management, the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) plays a unique role within the United Nations system. IIEP was established in 1963 as an integral part of UNESCO. It supports ministries of education and their partners around the world to plan and manage education systems through four types of capacity development programs: training, technical assistance, research and development, and knowledge sharing. The Institute launched its new Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2025) in November 2021. IIEP has offices in Paris, Dakar and Buenos Aires. IIEP draws on voluntary contributions from core donors and project funding to achieve its goals and objectives.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Director of IIEP and the direct supervision of the Technical Team Leaders, the Senior Education Programme Specialists lead and contribute to the management and implementation of a variety of funded projects and activities that support the capacity of Ministries of Education to better plan and manage their education sectors. All IIEP’s technical experts provide direct technical support to governments on planning and management, while also contributing to research and analytical work, training programmes and knowledge sharing activities. Candidates should have experience in managing large and complex programs and projects to support the planning and management capacity of ministries of education, in one or more of the following areas:

 

  1. Education Sector Planning: Expertise in supporting evidence based, multi-stakeholder decision-making processes in Ministries of Education, using variety of planning and management tools and approaches.
  2. Education Management Capacity Development: Expertise in design and management of integrated programs to support the management and planning capacity of Ministries of Education at the national and subnational levels.
  3. Cost, Finance and Budget: Expertise in education cost and finance, including the analysis of budgets and use of simulation/costing models and development of operational plans, medium term expenditure frameworks, cost/benefit analysis, and public expenditure review.

 

The incumbents will lead a portfolio of technical cooperation, research and development activities and projects. In particular, the incumbents will:

 
  • Oversee a portfolio of projects that support governments in national planning and budgeting, and/or managing the implementation of reforms in the educational sector.
  • Lead project teams to deliver on expected results across these activities and ensuring appropriate planning, management, and accountability for their delivery, and supporting, coaching and overseeing the work of team members. May also involve direct of 1-4 staff members.
  • Play a thought leadership and quality assurance role in their respective domains of technical expertise, ensuring that programs and projects benefit from cutting edge research and technical advances in sector planning and management.
  • Identify strategic priorities and provides quality assurance and technical guidance on IIEP’s core technical offer to countries in support of their planning and management capacity.
  • Work with the Research and Knowledge Mobilization team to identify priorities and promote a coherent approach to research and knowledge sharing in support of strengthened national capacity.
  • Work with the Training team to deliver a strong training offer in their area of technical expertise, including by engaging in direct instruction within IIEP’s training programs.
  • Support regular consultation across IIEP’s Offices and with IIEP partners (Member States, Donors, external institutes, etc.) about IIEP’s country facing research, capacity development and technical cooperation activities.
  • Work with the Strategic Partnership Officer to identify and pursue sources of new funding to advance and expand IIEP’s research, development, and technical cooperation activities.
  • Work with the Director and the Senior Management Team to ensure alignment of IIEP’s research, training, and capacity development activities, and maintain a strong corporate focus on programme effectiveness, resource mobilization and strategic impact.
  • Contribute to IIEP’s specialized committees and ad-hoc workgroups to the benefit of IIEP strategic planning and programme implementation in their capacity as a member of middle management.
  • Take ownership of specific strategic objectives and quantified targets thematically, geographically, according to her/his portfolio and missions.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Teamwork (C)
Results focus (C)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Managing performance (M)
Leading and empowering others (M)
Building partnerships (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
Making quality decisions (M)
Professionalism (C)
Strategic thinking (M)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

  • Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent degree) in the field of Statistics, Educational Planning and Management, International Development, Social Sciences or Economics, with a strong foundation in quantitative data analysis.
 

Work Experience

  • A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in technical cooperation in the analysis, diagnosis, planning and/or evaluation of Education.
  • Expertise in either (a) Education Sector Planning in supporting evidence based, multi-stakeholder decision-making processes in Ministries of Education, using a variety of planning and management tools and approaches  (b) Education Management Capacity Development in the design and management of integrated programs to support the management and planning capacity of Ministries of Education at national and subnational levels AND/OR (c) Education Cost, Finance and Budget including analysis of budgets and use of simulation/costing models and development of operational plans, medium term expenditure frameworks, cost/benefit analysis, and public expenditure review.
  • Experience in delivering support to national or sub national entities in design and formulation of medium-term expenditure frameworks, program, and performance-based budgeting frameworks.
 

 

Skills and Competencies

  • Demonstrable knowledge of the issues surrounding education in the context of developing and/or emerging countries, or those related to educational planning and management.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of contemporary developments in the global education arena and of effective strategies for improving educational planning and management, including in crisis-affected contexts.
  • Proven ability to design, and implement training programmes and courses.
  • Proven ability to design and implement action research.
  • Proven competency and proficiency in quantitative analytical work.
  • Strong analytical and synthetic skills and good capacity to undertake analytical and synthetic writing, including preparation of training materials and policy briefs.
  • Ability and willingness to travel regularly on mission in complex environments.  
  • Ability to lead, develop and motivate a diverse team and to be accountable for results.
  • Ability to develop coalitions and partnerships with a wide range of relevant actors within and outside IIEP-UNESCO.
  • Ability to think strategically and support IIEP’s leadership position in education planning and management.
  • Ability to communicate with confidence and explain complex issues to senior audiences.
  • Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of MS Office Suite and statistical software (e.g. STATA, SPSS, etc.).

 

Languages

  • Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Language 

  • Knowledge of French or another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

 

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a net base salary and other benefits and entitlements which may include where applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

For full information on benefits and entitlements for this position , please refer to the UNESCO Guide on Staff Benefits

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that candidates must complete an on-line application and provide full and accurate information. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. Evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria set in the Vacancy Announcement (VA). It may include tests and/or assessments as well as a virtual competency-based interview (CBI). Only candidates who pass the selection process will be contacted and are subject to reference checks based on the information provided in their application.

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