MEL Specialist

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Suva

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 5

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 20/05/2024

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

Only Fijian Nationals or Candidates with the legal right to live and work in Fiji can apply

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) guides international efforts to support countries realize the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Through its network of institutes and field offices and in partnership with public and private sector organizations, UNESCO advises its 194 Member States on policy and programmatic issues and designs and implements initiatives seeking to promote peace through education, culture, sciences and communication and information. 

The UNESCO Office for the Pacific States promotes development opportunities and actions and mobilizes resources for sustainable development, democracy and peace in the Pacific. The Office’s work in the Pacific is guided by the United Nations (UN) Cooperation Framework, UNESCO Pacific Strategy and other international and regional frameworks.

Long Description

Based in Suva, Fiji the incumbent works full-time as part of the Education Sector team of the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States. The incumbent serves as the member of the UNESCO project team for the implementation of the Office’s work within the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF). The PacREF is a collaborative Programme implemented by several international and regional organizations. The incumbent will work under the overall authority of the Director of the Office, and under direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer who serves as the PacREF Project Manager and team leader of the PacREF team in UNESCO, to ensure work plan and outputs are aligned with the needs of Sustainable Development Goal 4 monitoring in the Pacific States as well as support the Senior Project Officer in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and overall project implementation of UNESCO’s work in PacREF. The incumbent, in close collaboration with the UNESCO education team will also work with external stakeholders, including   other UN Organizations engaged in the Data and M&E Groups of the UN Cooperation Framework for the 14 Pacific SIDS and Papua New Guinea, and the PacREF implementing agencies and the programme facilitation unit (PFU) hosted by the University of the South Pacific (USP).    

Long Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Project Officer (PacREF manager and team leader in UNESCO) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the MEL Specialist, will:

Support PacREF project monitoring, evaluation and learning  

• Develop methodology for collecting data and information on changes in policies, behaviours, and attitudes among project partners and beneficiaries in PacREF partner countries, including through online approaches.
• Develop and establish effective approaches for learning for effective implementation of PacREF phase I and informing phase II.
• Assist in the interpretation, analysis and communication of observed project and programme results in PacREF countries and at the regional level and produce inputs for presentations, papers and UNESCO communication as well as present results at PacREF events. 
• Support the development of an outcome harvesting evaluation for the PacREF programme in collaboration with PacREF Implementing Agencies (IAs) and PFU specialized staff.

Long Description

Support UNESCO in coordinating Monitoring and Evaluation inputs as well as Universal Periodic Reviews / Reports (UPR), Voluntary National Reviews (VNR), and other initiatives of the UN Country Teams in the Pacific, and thematic and specific surveys by UNESCO HQ. 

• Identify data and research gaps, recommend and carry out case studies at the country level, and provide input for the UN-wide processes in the Pacific. 
• Draft contributions to reports or the full report and support technical editing of others’ reports as needed, ensuring their quality. 
• Support events, outreach, and stakeholder engagement with a focus on the use of data and evidence to support policy and institutional reforms.   
• Participate in the data and M&E Groups of the UN Country Teams.

Support Office-wide processes  

• Support drafting of concept notes and proposals for resource mobilization based on opportunities and as needed and following the Office procedures.
• Contribute to Office-wide systems, processes, and activities and closely coordinate work with other sectors’ staff as needed.
• Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor, Education Programme Specialist and the Director of the Office which collectively remains at not more than ten per cent of the overall work hours.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5 years of professional experience with progressive responsibility in Project/Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). 
• Excellent data analysis skills (qualitative data).
• Strong analytical and drafting skills for a variety of audiences. 
• Ability to think critically and innovatively.
• Ability to present research findings and complex relationships clearly in graphs, figures and in compelling narratives tailored to a variety of audiences.
• Experience working with government and other partners in MEL, project/programme implementation.
• Familiarity with SDG 4 and other global, regional, and national education monitoring frameworks.
• Excellent IT skills to carry out the work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive.
• Self-motivated; ability to work with tight deadlines.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

This assignment is a full-time nature under UNESCO Service Contract Modality at the level of SC10 and will follow the official working hours of the UNESCO office for the Pacific States in Suva, Fiji. The assignment will be until 30 June 2025 starting from the date a contract is signed by both parties. Appointment to this post is subject to medical clearance. Estimated monthly salary is FJD 8,076. In addition to that UNESCO will contribute to the pension fund and medical insurance in line with the provisions of UNESCO HR Manual. Further information regarding contractual modality as well as the applicable benefits package will be provided for short-listed candidates only.

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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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.