National Project Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 5JOED0023PA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Amman 

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) : 21-APR-2024 (extended)

 

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

 

Only nationals of Jordan may apply for this position.
Duration of contract: 1 year with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Since its creation in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) mission has been to contribute to the building of peace, poverty eradication, lasting development and intercultural dialogue. As the global lead for SDG 4, UNESCO’s priority is to ensure that all children and youth in Jordan, regardless of their status, nationality, background, abilities, or gender, have access to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. 

Through different initiatives, programmes and projects, UNESCO focuses on supporting national institutions, and stakeholders, primarily the Ministry of Education (MoE) of Jordan to transform and strengthen their education systems to be more resilient and responsive to crisis, evidence-based, gender responsive, and of good quality. 

Long Description

Within this support, UNESCO is implementing a Technical Assistance (TA) programme “Transforming Technical Vocational Education and Training in Jordan” funded by Canada and designed to contribute to the TVET system in Jordan, to respond to labour market demands and address youth unemployment and gender disparities. The programme will therefore support the MoE’s TVET reforms in line with their Education Strategic Plan (2018-2025), including the Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Education and the recent Vocational Education Reform Strategic Plan (2022-2027). The programme complements the Canadian Government’s sovereign loan to the Government of Jordan supporting TVET reform and titled “Increasing Education Access and Quality to vocational education through strengthening ED Tech and maintenance”. 

The TA programme will support MoE’s TVET reforms through three key areas; namely Strengthening key institutional and policy elements of the national skills ecosystem for a better enabling institutional and policy environment; Enhancing skills development in priority sectors for young women and men through innovation in TVET; and Improving the perception of TVET while advancing gender inclusivity and equity for all students to become a more attractive pathway for young girls and boys. 

Long Description

Main duties and responsibilities

 

Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Jordan  Office, the guidance of the Head of the Education Unit and the direct supervision of the Project Officer (TVET portfolio), the National Project Officer will be responsible for assisting in the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Programme “Transforming Technical Vocational Education and Training in Jordan”. 

Specifically, the National Project Officer will be responsible for the following tasks:

 

1)    Project Management Support
a.    Provide support for the programmatic implementation and coordination of the Technical Assistance programme to support MoE Jordan in implementing TVET reforms. 
b.    Ensure quality assurance of deliverables related to the TA programme. 
c.    Provide technical inputs and advice on different programme areas and activities linked to TVET and skills development, for instance the development of career guidance and private sector engagement models, the undertaking of different studies, the implementation of capacity development sessions, enhancing female participation in TVET, and an awareness campaign on TVET, among others. 
d.    Facilitate the work of experts and the organization of different consultations and workshops with stakeholders related to the programme. 
e.    Work closely with the implementing partners/experts to ensure quality and timely deliverables and achievement of targets. 
f.    Contribute to monitoring, reporting and evaluation of activities related to the programme, in line with UNESCO and donor established guidelines and procedures. This includes  monitoring challenges and risks, mapping mitigation strategies to address them in a timely manner, fostering exchange of information and lessons learnt/ success stories within the team and with stakeholders, recommending new strategies and actions to improve implementation, and disseminating programme results to donor, partners, and within UNESCO. 
g.    Provide support and technical advice on planning and implementation of other interventions and activities related to the TVET portfolio and under the SDG umbrella. 
h.    Work effectively with Finance, Procurement and Administrative colleagues to support project and contract implementation, timeliness of deliverables and reporting.
i.    Support the Head of the Education Unit and the TVET Project Officer in the preparation of donor and internal UNESCO progress and final reports. 
j.    Build synergies with other projects and activities of other development partners in the sector.

Long Description

2)    Visibility and Communication 
a.    Support developing and disseminating visibility materials (print, audiovisual, digital, and social media, and promotional items) related to the TVET portfolio and promoting UNESCO’s work in the area of TVET, youth, and skills development, in close consultation with the Head of the Education Unit, Project, and Communication Officer. 
b.    Support implementation of all communication and visibility activities foreseen under the programme and/ or linked to the education unit activities. 

 

3)    Technical and Administrative Support
a.    Provide technical inputs and support to the Ministry’s efforts in reforming TVET as well as to other key national TVET stakeholders, such as the Technical Vocational Skills Development Commission (TVSDC), Ministry of Labor, the Vocational Training Commission (VTC), among others.
b.    Support the contextualization of international practices and resources for the Jordanian context and the documentation of and sharing of good practices. 
c.    Draft minutes of meetings, briefing documents, official correspondence, concept notes, presentations, and web articles in both English and Arabic. 
d.    Take part in UNESCO team meetings to share the latest developments related to the programme and the sector.  
e.    Translate and review documents from English into Arabic and vice versa, as requested. 

 

4)    Partnership and Coordination
a.    Support in establishing good communication channels and networks with government and non-governmental counterparts, as well as with other major development partners in the field of TVET and skills development (EU, GIZ, ILO, USAID, the World Bank, etc.), for UNESCO’s strategic interventions in TVET and skills development.
b.    Support in regular coordination and contact and dialogue between different stakeholders and partners and national stakeholders such as the MoE, MoL, TVSDC, etc., as well as development partners and civil society organisations.
c.    Participate in relevant coordination and working groups as requested (e.g. MoE TVET Thematic Groupetc.) to ensure that UNESCO’s interventions are well coordinated with relevant entities and to inform the team of the latest developments in the sector.

 

5)    Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Head of Office, the Head of the Education Unit and the TVET Project Officer. 

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

Education

• Advanced University Degree (equivalent to Masters in education, international development, skills development, or other social sciences or international development cooperation fields.
   

Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in the field of education, preferably in the field of Technical Vocational Education and skills development.

 

Skills and Competencies

• Professional working experience in the education sector in Jordan, preferably in the field of TVET and skills development, and familiarity with the relevant institutions, agencies, and organizations in the field of international development cooperation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG4.
• Sound understanding of results-based management, monitoring, and evaluation principles.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationship (both within and outside the Organization).
• Excellent coordination, organization, and prioritization skills, and ability to manage multiple and simultaneous tasks, and to deliver results within a specified timetable.
• Ability to manage sub-contracted implementing partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong team working skills and ability to take initiative and be proactive.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Languages 

• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken) mandatory.
   

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

 

• Previous experience working with UN agency or international non-governmental organisation in the field of international development cooperation and preferably in the field of Technical Vocational Education and skills development.
• Previous work in the Education Sector in Jordan.
• Previous work experience in administration, procurement, and contracts management.

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 appoximate annual starting salary for this post is USD $ 48, 006.

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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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.

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