Senior Project Officer

Job Description

The UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is UNESCO’s category 1 Research Institute that focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.7 towards education for building peaceful and sustainable societies across the world.

Under the authority of the Director of MGIEP, to whom the incumbent reports. She/he is responsible for:

Overseeing the implementation of MGIEP’s work programme, ensuring its alignment with the institute’s strategies and its contribution to UNESCO’s strategic Objectives; monitoring the execution rate of the Institute’s projects to ensure optimal use of funds and resources in line with results-based budgeting principles; developing synergies and coherence across programmes and modalities of interventions (training, research, capacity building, and technical assistance).
Assisting the Director in overseeing the timely delivery of all outputs from all sectors within the Institute as described in the annual program of work. More specifically, the incumbent will: Ensure synergy and coherence across all units and divisions within the Institute by developing a mission-oriented program of work for delivering the Institute’s contribution to UNESCO’s priorities.
Working with division heads in fund resource mobilization and help identify, with the support of the Director, potential funding sources for the Institute’s programs.
Advising the Director on matters related to human resource planning, hiring, budget, fundraising, training, research, and management.
Provide compliance and managerial oversight of all cooperative research and training arrangements between MGIEP and its partner institutions in different regions, and regularly report thereon to the MGIEP Director.
Assesses and coordinates requests for technical assistance from Member States and advises the Director on relevant activities to undertake in the field, and on their compliance and coherence with overall institutional objectives.
In support of the implementation of MGIEP ‘s programmes, the incumbent oversees the Institute’s budgeted resources and ensures smooth cooperation with MGIEP ‘s financial partners. She/he also proposes to the Director the means to extend the Institute’s partnerships, and upon approval, negotiates agreements and contracts.
Early identification of potential risks including conflict of interests and concerns related to possible failures in achieving institutional objectives. Remedial actions involving programme re-orientation are initiated once cleared with the Director.
She/he operates within the relevant Administrative Rules and Regulations of UNESCO, and provides relevant oversight of the administrative and financial operations of the Institute while being cognizant of the functional autonomy of the Institute.
Acts as Officer-in-Charge when the Director is on mission or leave. Shehe represents the Director of the Institute in meetings to which MGIEP is invited including high-level meetings of the UNESCO secretariat, United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and meetings with MGIEP partners.
Supports the director in Identifying and facilitating modes of cooperation with high-level officials in the ministries of education, representatives of research and training institutions, UN Specialized Agencies, NGOs, and civil society in compliance with UNESCO rules and regulations.
Any other task as assigned by the Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in education, peace studies, political science, sociology, psychology, human rights, economics, sciences of learning, neurosciencecognitive science, or other education related disciplines.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in a field related to the mission and mandate of the Institute acquired in an academic, governmental, multilateral, or civil society organization.
Proven policy, advisory, and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior officials in the United Nations, government, funding agencies, or non-governmental organizations.
Experience in programming and project management such as programme design and results monitoring, budget implementation, and oversight in areas related to education for peace and sustainable development.

Languages