Associate Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. The organization focuses on building peace in the minds of men and women, fostering sustainable development, and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. UNESCO's core values include commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism. The organization is dedicated to achieving equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer will play a crucial role in the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of programs and activities related to UNESCO's expanded work on Education for Health and Wellbeing in Malawi. This position is integral to supporting the in-country Project Officer in executing the 'Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future' (O3) Programme, which focuses on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH). The incumbent will represent the project office in UN Joint programmes and technical working groups at the country level, ensuring that the educational sector collaborates effectively with health sectors and other stakeholders. The role requires a proactive approach to engage with political leaders, government officials, and civil society organizations to enhance the delivery of high-quality education and health services for young people.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Project Officer will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: supporting the Government of Malawi in developing and implementing policies and guidelines for CSE and ASRH services; facilitating the delivery of high-quality comprehensive sexuality education that is gender-transformative and culturally appropriate; addressing issues such as early and unintended pregnancy, gender-based violence, and child marriage; building the capacity of teacher educators and partners involved in teacher training; improving community and youth engagement in accessing comprehensive sexuality education and services; and conducting research, monitoring, and evaluation related to CSE and sexual reproductive health for young people aged 10-2

• The incumbent will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on UNESCO's work in this area, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic goals.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, social sciences, public health, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in education, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including CSE and HIV/AIDS programming is required. Experience working with government entities, international and national NGOs, and UN agencies is preferred. Candidates should also have experience in training, coordination, and capacity building, as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in fields such as education, social sciences, public health, or related disciplines. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in the field of education and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, particularly in comprehensive sexuality education and HIV/AIDS programming. It is preferred that at least one year of this experience has been gained at the international level, demonstrating the candidate's ability to work in diverse and multicultural environments. Experience in training, coordination, and institutional capacity building is also essential, along with a solid background in monitoring and evaluation practices.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the populations served by the programs.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is a project appointment with a duration of 1 year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is open to both internal and external candidates. The approximate annual starting salary for this role is 78,688 USD, and benefits may include 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. Candidates are required to complete an online application by the specified deadline, and the selection process may involve pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks. UNESCO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving workforce diversity.