Education Project Officer

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, providing capacity development programs that include training, technical assistance, research, and knowledge sharing. IIEP has offices in Paris, Dakar, and Buenos Aires, and relies on voluntary contributions and project funding to achieve its objectives. The organization is committed to enhancing the capacity of ministries of education and their partners to effectively manage education systems.

Job Overview:
The Education Project Officer position is crucial for the implementation of various funded projects aimed at enhancing the capacity of Ministries of Education and other partners in planning and managing education sectors. The officer will work under the authority of the IIEP Director and directly supervise the Lead of the Education Finance Senior Programme Specialist. The role involves supporting IIEP's activities related to costing, financing, and Public Financial Management (PFM) for education. This includes conducting analyses of education costs and funding, public expenditure reviews, and developing financial costing and programming activities. The officer will also contribute to research, training programs, and knowledge sharing activities, ensuring alignment with IIEP's strategic objectives and maintaining a focus on program effectiveness and resource mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Education Project Officer will be responsible for a range of duties including: implementing a portfolio of projects related to educational planning and management, focusing on education financing and budgeting; contributing to the identification of strategic priorities and providing technical inputs on IIEP’s core technical offerings; facilitating consultations across IIEP’s offices and with partners; ensuring alignment of research and development activities; taking ownership of specific strategic objectives; contributing to public debates and networking with relevant actors; supporting internal budgeting and costing processes; and mentoring colleagues in areas related to costing, budgeting, and financial management.

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, including budget planning and reporting, education financing diagnostics, and financial costing. Experience in providing technical assistance to national or subnational entities in education financing analysis is also essential, along with familiarity with public administration and education systems, particularly in developing countries.

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 critical 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 and reporting, education financing diagnostics, and financial costing. Additionally, experience in providing technical assistance to governmental entities and familiarity with public administration and education systems, especially in developing countries, is highly valued.

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

Additional Notes:
The position is a project appointment with a duration of one year. It is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 111,707 US dollars, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. UNESCO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of various backgrounds, including those from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The recruitment process is conducted with a focus on confidentiality and integrity, and UNESCO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.