Education Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO's International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP), which was established in 1963 as part of UNESCO. IIEP's mission is to support educational policy, planning, and management globally. It operates in multiple countries, with offices in Paris, Dakar, and Buenos Aires. The organization focuses on capacity development through training, technical assistance, research, and knowledge sharing, relying on voluntary contributions from major donors and project funding to achieve its objectives.

Job Overview:
The Education Programme Specialist position is crucial for the implementation of various funded projects and activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of Ministries of Education and their partners in planning and managing education sectors. The role involves providing technical support in areas such as costing, financing, and Public Financial Management (PFM) for education. The incumbent will conduct analyses related to education costs and funding, including cost-effectiveness analysis, public expenditure reviews, and financial costing activities. The position requires collaboration with IIEP's technical experts to support governments and partners in improving education planning and management, contributing to research, training programs, and knowledge sharing activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for implementing a portfolio of projects related to educational planning and management, focusing on education financing and budgeting. Key responsibilities include: supporting the implementation of educational reforms, contributing to strategic priority identification, providing technical inputs on IIEP’s core technical offerings, facilitating consultations with IIEP partners, ensuring alignment of research and development activities, taking ownership of specific strategic objectives, contributing to public debates in education finance, supporting internal budgeting processes, and mentoring colleagues in costing and financial management areas.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, statistics, public policy, public finance, or related fields. Additionally, a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in education financing and public financial management is required. This includes experience in budget planning and reporting, education financing diagnostics, and financial costing. Candidates should have expertise in analyzing education costs and financing, as well as experience in providing technical assistance to national or subnational entities.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in fields such as economics, statistics, public policy, or public finance. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of education financing and public financial management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in education financing and public financial management. Candidates should have experience in budget planning, education financing diagnostics, and financial costing. Experience in public administration and education systems, particularly in developing countries, is also essential. Familiarity with public finance governance frameworks and budget execution is highly desirable.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and spoken) is mandatory, with working proficiency in the other language. This bilingual requirement is crucial for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of UNESCO.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a project appointment with a duration of one year. The position is open to both internal and external candidates. UNESCO offers a competitive salary, with the approximate annual starting salary for this post being 111,707 US dollars. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The recruitment process may involve assessments and interviews, and candidates must complete an online application with accurate information. UNESCO emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.