Global Training Practice Lead

Post Number : IEP/PA/115

Grade : P-5

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) : 15-JAN-2022 

 

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

​​​​​​Duration of contract: 2 years with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance. 

 

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ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

As the only specialized semi-autonomous 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 around the world and other key actors to plan and manage education systems through its programmes of training, technical assistance, policy research and knowledge sharing. The Institute will launch its new Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2025) in December 2021. It draws on core and project funding to achieve its goals and objectives.

 

In its three Offices located in Paris, Buenos Aires and Dakar, IIEP offers training programmes and courses for education planners and managers to strengthen national capacities to analyse and formulate sound education policies and realistic education plans. The programmes also equip participants with knowledge and skills to effectively manage education resources, including human and financial resources. The courses are practical, skills-based and flexible, varying in length and offered through a blended modality. The course offer is continuously up-dated to ensure that IIEP is responding to the needs of UNESCO Member States and the Education 2030 Agenda. This position is in the Training and Education Programme Team in Paris, and its incumbent coordinates and quality assures the training programmes of all three IIEP Offices.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority and direct supervision of the Director, IIEP, a member of IIEP’s Senior Management Team, and within the framework of IIEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2025), the Global Practice Lead in Training will lead and coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of IIEP’s global training programmes, based on the strategy responding to the Member States’ capacity needs. The incumbent will manage, advise, and report on the global training funding, design, guidelines, and delivery against the Institute’s strategy and goal expectations.  The incumbent will provide leadership and guidance to staff of the Training and Education Programme (TEP) unit, and more widely, to IIEP staff involved in delivering training programmes. In particular, the incumbent will:
 
  • Manage the work of the Training and Education Programme Unit and supervise a team of Professional and General Service Staff as well as those on temporary assignments.
  • Design and implement a new training and professional development strategy for UNESCO-IIEP as well as priorities for the continued development and delivery of IIEP’s global training, based on consultation with IIEP partners (Member States, Donors, external institutes, etc.).
  • Manage key strategic investments designed to strengthen and refine IIEP’s existing training and professional development programmes through identifying sources of donor funding, exploring and pursuing alternative funding opportunities and mechanisms.
  • Promote a coherent approach for IIEP’s global core training offer across Offices and coordinate a global practice comprised of training experts across the three Offices, ensuring the right balance of core and specialized courses and programmes and global and regional programmes, including needs assessment, monitoring of results and overall training quality.
  • Strengthen Institute-wide instructional design and pedagogical standards and techniques and provide advice and assistance to programme specialists undertaking delivery of training or educational programmes. These include e-learning systems and tools and distance education programmes and techniques
  • Ensure a strengthened and sustainable business model for IIEP’s training offer and participate in resource mobilization for the Institute’s training programmes.
 
  • Manage and strengthen IIEP’s global virtual campus – comprised of online learning specialists and an online platform.
  • Ensure engagement of participants and development of alumni communities of practice.
  • Work with the Director and the Senior Management Team to ensure alignment of IIEP’s research, training, and capacity development activities, and a strong corporate focus on programme effectiveness, resource mobilization and strategic impact.
  • Offer advice on IIEP’s work to support training institutions in educational planning and participate in selected institutional support programmes.
  • Develop partnerships with (i) academic and training institutions that can contribute to the implementation of the strategic vision; (ii) member state beneficiaries and; (iii) donors and bodies relevant for the recognition and quality assurance of training programmes.

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)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in education policy and administration or another related social science discipline.

 

Work Experience

  • A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in the field education policy and planning, of which preferably at least 5 years acquired at the international level.
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting training, capacity development projects in the fields of educational development, educational policy analysis, planning, and management
  • Experience in the design and administration of training and capacity development programs.
  • Demonstrated management experience of a team and a portfolio of projects and programs.
 

 

Skills and Competencies

  • Demonstrated leadership, management and organizational skills;
  • Demonstrated ability to work with international trainees and professionals from Ministries of Education;
  • Advanced knowledge of the theory and practical application of the techniques used in education planning and social sciences;
  • Excellent capacity to design and conduct training needs assessments and evaluation of training programmes;
  • Excellent knowledge of adult learning principles and their application to learning and development in organisational contexts;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the new and emerging learning technology, tools and platforms and their use and application in different organisational contexts;
  • Demonstrated  fundraising and resource mobilization skills;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain partnerships and to ensure a high-level coordination and cooperation with internal and external stakeholders;
  • Proven ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills; Ability to communicate effectively, persuasively and to provide intellectual leadership to guide team and staff;
  • Demonstrated ability to analyse complex and ambiguous situations, evaluate options, make decisions and recommendations that support organisational goals and objectives;
  • Demonstrated ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners, conduct and participate effectively in high-level negotiations.

 

Languages

  •  Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and good working knowledge of the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

  • Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent degree) in Education, Social Sciences, or related field.

 

Experience

  • Experience working within United Nations system or other international organisations.

 

Skills and Competencies

  • Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment.
  • Ability to work in a close partnership with a wide range of national, regional and international educational organizations, professional organization especially related to educational planning and management.
  • Ability to detect emerging educational needs to which an international research and training programme could make a substantial contribution and identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
  • Knowledge of key policy trends and ongoing institutional reforms at the national, regional and international level in especially in developing countries.
  • Expertise in areas pertaining to institutional capacity building in the developing country context.

 

Language 

  • Very good knowledge (written and spoken) of Spanish or Portuguese.

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

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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