Education Policy Analyst and Planner

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Education Policy Analyst and Planner
Location: Dakar
Country: Senegal
Deadline Date: 20-DEC-2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) is a specialized institute of UNESCO, established to enhance the capacity of Member States to plan and manage their education systems. IIEP-UNESCO operates with offices in Buenos Aires, Dakar, and Paris, focusing on strengthening educational planning and management across various countries. The institute is dedicated to supporting African nations in developing credible education system development plans aligned with the Education 2030 agenda, which is part of the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IIEP-UNESCO Dakar is recognized for its innovative educational sector analyses and capacity development initiatives, contributing to sustainable educational policies throughout Africa and beyond. The organization emphasizes knowledge creation and dissemination in the education sector, ensuring that its methodologies and tools are relevant and effective for the unique challenges faced by countries in the region. For more information about its activities, please visit the IIEP-UNESCO Dakar website.

Job Overview:
The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting African countries in the analysis, planning, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of education and training policies. This position involves collaboration with team members from IIEP-UNESCO Dakar, Paris, and Buenos Aires, and may include leading and managing teams assigned to specific countries. The candidate will also contribute to the development and delivery of training programs aimed at enhancing the capacities of IIEP-UNESCO Dakar's staff. The role requires a strong commitment to the principles of equity, gender, and inclusivity in education, ensuring that these perspectives are integrated into all aspects of policy analysis and development. The candidate will engage in policy dialogue with stakeholders, contribute to knowledge creation, and support the professional development of officials in the education sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support African countries in the development, implementation, and monitoring of education and training policies, including conducting sector analyses and developing strategic documents.
• Facilitate policy dialogue and coordination among stakeholders in selected countries, addressing intra-sector and inter-sector policy trade-offs.
• Create, use, and disseminate relevant information regarding education and training sectors, including drafting methodological and thematic notes.
• Identify training needs and contribute to the design and delivery of capacity-building initiatives for national officials in the education sector.
• Ensure quality assurance of IIEP-UNESCO Dakar products, including peer reviews of policy documents and training materials.
• Support the integration of innovative approaches and best practices in education policies tailored for African contexts.
• Undertake additional activities as required to ensure team success.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Economics, Statistics, or a related discipline. They should have a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in sector analysis, planning, and management of education systems, with at least two years at the international level. Experience working with African education ministries and development partners is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of African education systems, statistical and econometric techniques, and proficiency in statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, or STATA. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Economics, Statistics, or a related discipline is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of education systems and for conducting effective analyses and planning.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in the fields of sector analysis, planning, and management of education systems. Candidates should ideally have at least two years of experience acquired at the international level, particularly with African countries' education ministries and development partners. This experience is vital for understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within the education sector in Africa.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent knowledge of either French or English, along with a good knowledge of the other language. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse contexts of African education systems. Additionally, a good or fair knowledge of Portuguese is desirable, given IIEP's activities in Portuguese-speaking African countries.

Additional Notes:
The position is a project appointment with a duration of one year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The role includes a six-month probationary period. The successful candidate will be expected to work full-time and may be required to undertake regular missions, particularly in diverse and challenging contexts. 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 post is 92,718 USD. UNESCO is committed to diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups, including individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities.