Associate Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The UNESCO Kabul Office serves as the National Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Afghanistan. Since its reopening in 2002, the office has been instrumental in enhancing technical cooperation and capacity in various sectors, including education, culture, communication, and the natural and social sciences. The office leads coordination efforts in the education sector, advocates for press freedom and the safety of journalists, and collaborates closely with government counterparts and partners to protect Afghanistan's cultural heritage, promote inclusive learning, and foster peace through international collaboration. The organization is committed to advancing its mission in Afghanistan and has a significant impact on the educational landscape of the country.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer will work within the Education team at the UNESCO Kabul Office, focusing on strengthening education initiatives and fulfilling UNESCO's educational mandates in Afghanistan. The role involves supporting the Project Officer in the preparation and execution of detailed work plans to ensure timely delivery of project activities in alignment with the approved project document and budget. The officer will contribute to day-to-day project coordination, ensuring compliance with EU guidelines and UNESCO's financial and administrative regulations. This position also entails liaising with local implementing partners to ensure the quality and timely delivery of project activities at the community level, as well as supporting communication and outreach efforts to inform local communities about project objectives and achievements. The officer will play a crucial role in monitoring and evaluating project progress, developing and updating monitoring and evaluation tools, and assisting in the preparation of periodic reports in accordance with EU requirements. Additionally, the officer will contribute to technical assistance and policy advice, ensuring that educational materials are culturally relevant and aligned with local needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Project Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Project Implementation: Supporting the Project Officer in preparing and implementing detailed work plans, ensuring timely delivery of project activities, and coordinating with local implementing partners.
• Project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: Developing and updating monitoring and evaluation tools, collecting feedback from beneficiaries, and assisting in financial monitoring and reporting.
• Technical Assistance and Policy Advice: Contributing to the localization of educational materials and monitoring developments in skills development and literacy programs.
• Implementing Partner Management: Supporting training plans for implementing partners and maintaining communication for effective project implementation.
• Knowledge Management and Visibility: Organizing consultations and knowledge-sharing events, contributing to visibility and communication activities, and drafting project success stories and reports.
• Maintaining regular communication with internal and external stakeholders, including EU project teams and NGOs, to facilitate project implementation and information exchange.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. They should have progressively responsible professional experience in education or related development fields, with demonstrated experience in non-formal education, TVET, literacy programs, and/or parenting education. Strong project management skills, including results-based management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate sensitivity and adaptability in fragile or post-conflict contexts, possess strong coordination and analytical skills, and have excellent drafting and communication abilities. Proficiency in standard office software and online collaboration tools is also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of educational systems and development initiatives, particularly in a challenging context like Afghanistan.

Experience:
Candidates should have progressively responsible professional experience in education or related development fields. This includes demonstrated experience in non-formal education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), literacy programs, and/or parenting education. The level of experience required indicates that candidates should have a solid understanding of project management and implementation in educational settings, particularly in contexts that may be fragile or post-conflict.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates should have excellent knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto, which are essential for effective communication within the local context and with various stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The position is a project appointment with a duration of one year, with the possibility of extension based on resource availability and satisfactory performance. The role is open to Afghan nationals only, and candidates must complete an online application by the specified deadline. UNESCO offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The approximate annual starting salary for this position is 37,838 USD. The selection process may include video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks, and all candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application. UNESCO is committed to diversity and encourages individuals from minority groups and persons with disabilities to apply.