National Education Project Officer

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Position Title: National Education Project Officer
Location: Islamabad
Country: Pakistan
Deadline Date: 16.02.2025

Job Details

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. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of education worldwide, particularly in regions facing significant challenges. UNESCO operates various programs and initiatives, including the Global Partnership for Education, which focuses on enhancing educational opportunities and outcomes for children, especially in marginalized communities.

Job Overview:
The National Education Project Officer will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the System Capacity Grant (SCG) under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in Pakistan, specifically focusing on the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024-2028). This position involves strategic planning, execution, and monitoring of educational programs aimed at improving access to quality education for all children, with a particular emphasis on gender-responsive actions. The officer will work closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and local partners, to ensure that the educational policies and initiatives align with the overarching goals of the Balochistan Education Sector Plan (BESP). The role requires a proactive approach to managing contracts and finances, ensuring compliance with GPE guidelines, and fostering effective communication and collaboration among all parties involved in the education sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Education Project Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Developing and updating detailed work plans and timelines for SCG Programme activities at the provincial level, ensuring alignment with the Partnership Compact and Education Sector Plan.
• Collaborating with the UNESCO Education team, National Education Coordination Officer (Balochistan), Admin/Finance team, and MEAL team to facilitate timely planning and implementation of activities.
• Preparing procurement-related documents, contracts, and guidelines, and maintaining a tracking system to monitor adherence to contractual agreements.
• Drafting and finalizing contracts and partnership agreements, ensuring compliance with GPE and UNESCO procedures.
• Monitoring contract execution and managing budgets, ensuring financial resources are allocated appropriately.
• Collecting and analyzing data to assess the effectiveness of programme interventions and preparing quality progress and financial reports.
• Supporting the design and periodic updates of the country project document, work plan, and budget.
• Identifying implementation partners and developing terms of references for external vendors.
• Undertaking additional tasks as assigned by the Officer-in-Charge/Head of Office and/or Head of Education.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field from a recognized institution. A combination of an advanced degree and practical experience in international development work on education may be accepted. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may also be considered. Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in project planning, implementation, management, and coordination, preferably in the education sector. Proven experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and UN agencies is essential, along with comprehensive expertise across the project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field. Candidates with a first-level university degree combined with relevant experience may also be considered. Desirable qualifications include an advanced degree in Education, ICT in Education, Science (STEM), or a related field from a recognized institution.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in project planning, implementation, management, and coordination within the education sector. Candidates should have experience working with UN agencies or GPE contract management procedures and standards, as well as experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including government counterparts and implementing partners. Familiarity with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) frameworks is also beneficial.

Languages:
Candidates must have a good command of English, and knowledge of local languages spoken in Balochistan is desirable. Proficiency in additional languages may enhance a candidate's application, particularly in a multicultural environment where effective communication is crucial.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Service Contract at Level SC9, with a standard duration of one year and the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds. The recruitment is open to both internal and external candidates. The application deadline is set for midnight Pakistan Time on 16.02.202

• UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages candidates from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.