NATIONAL EDUCATION COORDINATION OFFICER

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Parent Sector: Education

Standard Duration of Assignment: 1 year (renewable subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance)

Type of contract: Service Contract

Level: SC9

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal as well as external

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 17.02.2025

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

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) supports the implementation of the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024-2028), focusing on policy reforms, increased investment, and gender-responsive actions to ensure equitable, quality learning opportunities for all children. This support is delivered through the System Transformation Grant (STG) and System Capacity Grant (SCG). The SCG focuses on strengthening educational policies, promoting gender equality, building institutional capacities, and ensuring equitable access to Early Childhood Education (ECE) and primary education.

Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge/Head of Office of UNESCO in Pakistan, the direct supervision of the Head of the Education and the close daily operational coordination with the National Education Project Officer (Islamabad), the National Education Coordination Officer oversees the strategic coordination, implementation, and management of the SCG programme in Balochistan. The position is based in Quetta, Balochistan and involves close collaboration with provincial government counterparts, the Local Education Group (LEG), development partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the SCG programme's outputs and results in the province.

Specifically, the National Education Coordination Officer will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Facilitating strategic coordination with provincial government counterparts, UN agencies, development partners, and local implementing partners to ensure timely implementation of GPE programme activities, aligning with the strategic objectives of the Balochistan Education Sector Plan (BESP) and the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024-2028).
2. Participating in LEG meetings and coordinate its activities, including organizing joint sector reviews, ensuring inclusive participation, and providing expert technical support through comprehensive planning and efficient coordination.
3. Fostering collaboration between the School Education Department and other relevant provincial departments, such as Planning and Development, Health, and Finance, to address systemic challenges impacting education sector coordination. Undertake result-based planning/management, monitoring and reporting.
4. Liaising closely with other Grant Agents (UNICEF and World Bank) to synchronize SCG and STG activities, align with provincial priorities, and avoid duplication or overlaps.
5. Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of SCG activities, ensuring progress aligns with objectives, and maintain a close working relationship with the MEAL programme officer in the Islamabad Office.
6. Representing UNESCO in UN Provincial Programme Team (PPT) meetings, School Education Department forums, and other relevant provincial platforms where UNESCO's presence is advised.
7. Maintaining close liaison with the UNESCO Education Team, international experts and consultants and providing regular updates and feedback on provincial developments, programmes, and priorities. Promptly escalate any issues requiring UNESCO's attention.
8. Managing SCG activities in the province, ensuring timely consolidation of project documents (e.g., work plans, budgets, and reports) to meet agreed milestones in coordination with the UNESCO Education Team.
9. Coordinating field missions, meetings with provincial stakeholders, and visits by the UNESCO personnel, international experts and consultants, GPE Team, and other development partners to monitor implementation progress.
10. Assessing and analysing priority needs in the education sector for resource mobilization and partnership building. Developing concept notes and project proposals/documents based on result-based methodology for international donors and partners.
11. Undertaking additional tasks assigned by the Officer-in-Charge/Head of Office and/or Head of Education, ensuring adaptability to evolving priorities.

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree 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 substituted for the fields mentioned.

Work Experience:
1. Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in project planning, implementation, management, and coordination within the education sector.
2. Experience of collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, UN agencies, or other key stakeholders in the education sector.
3. Comprehensive expertise across the project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
4. Experience in applying results-based management and integrating gender mainstreaming approaches within development initiatives.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong organization and coordination skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with proven ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.

• Effective communication skills for preparing and presenting reports, briefs, and progress updates.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to work effectively, set priorities, and work within tight deadlines.

• Experience with monitoring and evaluation methodologies.

• Ability to draft high-quality, clear, concise documents, and reports.

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively.

• Excellent IT skills, including office productivity tools and online collaboration tools.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and good knowledge of Urdu.

Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Education, Education Planning and Management, or a related field from a recognised institution.
Work Experience:
a. Minimum of 2 years with UN system or intergovernmental organization of relevant experience in managing and coordinating projects.
b. Experience in education policy and planning in the specific context of Balochistan Education Sector plans.
c. Experience working in emergency or conflict-sensitive environments, with an understanding of the challenges and approaches required in such context.

Languages:
Good knowledge of other local languages spoken in Balochistan.

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.