Programme Specialist (Education)
Education & Teaching Jobs
Job Description
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office in Harare, and the direct supervision of the Head of Education Section, the incumbent will support the planning, coordination and implementation of regional programmes in support of Sustainable Development Goal 4, with a focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Teacher Education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
In particular, the incumbent will:
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Programme Design and Management
Develop, support, and monitor programmes and strategies with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG4-Education 2030) and 8 (SDG8-Employment), the UN Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) and UNESCO Country Strategy (UCS) documents, including in areas of education policy, planning and management in particular in the area of teacher education, continuing professional development and skills for life and the world of work.
Coordinate, plan, monitor and implement the Office’s Programme on ESD as well as Global Citizen Education, inclusion, and girls’ education. Identify focus areas and national priorities within the Member States of the sub-region in alignment with the UNESCO Strategy for ESD and Regional Strategic Framework and other development partners' approaches and strategies. Recommend programmes and approaches to respond to multi-sectoral development challenges.
Long Description
Policy Advice and Technical Assistance:
Initiate and develop policy advice, methodological tools and technical assistance to Ministries of Education and other key stakeholders to implement regional and country-level programme activities, in particular in areas of resource projections and information management systems with a focus on ESD and teacher education.
Develop, implement, and monitor research activities, technical assistance projects, capacity development Programmes and related funding proposals on policy and technical issues pertinent to skills development in the region.
Knowledge Management, Partnerships and Resources Mobilization:
Develop a knowledge base and implement outreach strategies, aimed at expanding and communicating UNESCO programmes on ESD and teacher education.
Mobilize and network, in collaboration with UNESCO Specialized Institutes (especially IIEP, UIL, UIS) and with national, regional, and international partners, including in the context of the Regional Coordination Group on SDG4 – Education 2030.
Mobilize resources to support skills development policy analysis, planning and system development in the region, by preparing project proposals and cooperation frameworks with Member States and donor agencies and by engaging in fundraising activities.
Qualifications and Experience
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, sciences or related social sciences fields.
Work Experience
Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of education policy development, of which preferably 3 years acquired at the national and international level.
Experience in formulating, implementing, and monitoring education-related policies, strategies, programmes/projects.
Skills and competencies
Analytical skills and ability to collect, synthesize and analyze information from various sources.
Ability to identify emerging development trends and educational needs.
Ability to provide policy advice and assistance to policy and decision makers.
Ability to coordinate and negotiate with partners, network and different stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, and to translate strategy into priorities and action.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare, present and discuss findings and recommendations clearly and concisely.
Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills, and ability to manage staff and teams in a multicultural environment.
Very good IT skills, knowledge of Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
Languages
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.
Long Description
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in the field of education, public policies, international development or related field.
Work Experience
Atleast Ten (10) years of progressive professional experience including within the context of education strategies in Africa.
Experience in fundraising and resource mobilization.
Experience in policy support and capacity development in education planning, resource projections and information management systems.
Experience in design, management and coordination of education plans and strategies at the international level.
Experience pertaining to TVET and higher education policies and management.
Experience in reviewing and analysing national teacher education policies.
Experience in undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis and surveys for data collection.
