Project Officer (School data and M&E)

Post Number : 4MMED 0007PA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Yangon

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 18-APR-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: initially 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General, Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Regional Director of UNESCO Bangkok, and direct supervision from Senior Programme Specialist, the incumbent will be responsible for providing programme implementation support to the UNESCO Myanmar Project on “Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant” (ESPIG)
Given the evolving political and operational environment, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Education Sector Plan Implementation Grant (ESPIG) was reprogrammed in 2023, making much needed funding available towards ensuring that children and youth in Myanmar can safely continue or re-engage in learning. ESPIG is jointly implemented by 3 Grant Agent’s (UNESCO, UNICEF and Save the Children). ESPIG is aligning to achieving the outcomes detailed in the Myanmar Joint Response Framework (JRF) for the Education Sector 2022 – 2025. 

UNESCO’s programming through ESPIG will contribute to the following outcomes, and addresses SDG 4 Targets 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 4.C

•    Outcome 1: Ensuring safe and equitable access to learning for children and youth in Myanmar;
•    Outcome 2: Ensuring quality teaching and learning for children and youth in Myanmar by strengthening the capacities of education staff and fostering context-responsive, equity-focused learning resources and modalities adapted to the evolving situation; and
•    Outcome 3: Ensuring systems strengthening, management, coordination and monitoring.

The incumbent support the implementation of Outcome 3 mentioned above as well as conduct the monitoring and evaluation of ESPIG with other Grant Agent and partners overall. 

In addition, the incumbent support to work on the UN joint programme related work such as the Transitional Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (TSDCF) 2024-2025, the Socio-economic Resilience Response Plan (SERRP) for Myanmar, and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Monitoring Mechanism and the Myanmar Development Observatory.
 

Long Description

1.    Project Implementation 
Provide technical advice to design, plan, coordinate, and implement all activities under Outcome 3 of the ESPIG Project; plan and coordinate work activities, namely policy, developing the classmap system, pilot it with 30-50 schools/learning centers, modify it continuously for expansion, work with implementing partners on the ground for further modification of the system, provide capacity building of the partners online when required.

2.    Project Monitoring and Evaluation of ESPIG 
Compile and analyze data and evidence of the implementation progress of programme activities, produce progress reports and draft appropriate narratives and impact stories for inclusion in reporting, actively participate in the joint monitoring the evaluation and monitoring of ESPIG with other Grant Agents and various partners in the education sector. Ensure that the results, findings and lessons learned in the course of implementing the activities are well discussed and understood by the project team members at the office for continuous improvement in the planning and implementation through regular team meetings and presentations.
 

3.    Networking, Communication, Knowledge Management and Partnerships    
Updates online and knowledge management systems. Plan, develop and implement outreach strategies, aimed at expanding and communicating programmes, UNESCO projects and increasing visibility, resources and partnership. Leverage relationships within and across teams at UNESCO while building external partnerships and mobilizing resources with a view to increase the depth and reach of activities. Identify opportunities for increased collaboration on education initiatives and strategies within UNESCO goals. Coordinate UNESCO’s advocacy efforts in Myanmar for education. Advocate approaches and interventions of proven effectiveness. Mobilize and coordinate national, regional and international partners working on education sector/strategy issues. Coordinate and expand networks, organize national capacity development workshops and promote knowledge sharing.
 

Long Description

4.    Coordination and Monitoring of UN initiatives, Cooperation Framework and Joint Programme
Technically contribute to UN related initiative such as CCA, Cooperation Framework and UN Joint Programme in particular monitoring and evaluation, attend the thematic meetings under UNCT and working group, represent UNESCO at these meeting when required.

5.    Technical Support on Designing and Developing Projects
Provide advice on the overall strategies and assist in planning, monitoring and evaluating all projects and activities in accordance with the established work plans. This includes supporting other programme teams at UNESCO Myanmar Project Office in the development and fine-tuning of programming documents, including but not limited to finalizing the Theory of Change, work plans, results frameworks, monitoring and evaluation plans, and risk management matrices.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
Building partnerships (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
Leading and empowering others (M)
Making quality decisions (M)
Managing performance (M)
Strategic thinking (M)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

•  Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, international development, global programme, economics, evaluation and/or related fields.

Work Experience 

• Minimum of 4 years of progressively relevant professional experience in education development, of which at least 2 years acquired at the international level, including experience in education development, education in emergency, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in international research, policy, data analysis, monitoring, or capacity development.

Skills and Competencies 

• Strong knowledge and technical expertise in education monitoring, analysis and evaluation .
• Excellent analytical and research skills.
• Proven ability to identify emerging development trends and educational needs.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Excellent negotiation and partnership building skills.
• Strong IT skills, including knowledge of MS software (Word, Excel etc.). 
• Ability to plan logically and strategically and to translate strategy into priorities and action.
• Excellent project management skills, and ability to coordinate complex projects.
• Ability to work in multicultural environment and lead a culturally diverse team.

Languages 

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

• PhD or Master’s degree with specialization in education development, social development global issues or social policy.

Work Experience

• Experience in design, management and coordination of international education programmes.
• Experience in working with education systems in conflict, post-conflict and post-disaster countries. 
• Working experience in Myanmar or Southeast Asia
• Experience in working with UN partners, including UNESCO’s National Commissions, Ministries of Education, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, development banks, teacher education and higher education institutions, and civil society organization on similar teacher education reform projects. 
• Skills and competencies:
• Knowledge of UNESCO’s education conventions and global priorities and UN administrative procedures. 

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 87, 589 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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