PROGRAMME SPECIALIST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), guidance of the Director of the Divison for Education 2030 Support and Coordination (DIR/ED/ESC), and direct supervision of the Chief of Section of Partnerships, Cooperation and Research (ED/ESC/PCR), the incumbent will be responsible for the management and implementation of UNESCO’s Global Education 2030 coordination and review activities. S/he will manage the coordination of global and regional partnerships  to support Member States in the implementation and monitoring of Education 2030 targets and commitments. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following essential duties \:

Programme Design and Management\:

• Coordinate programme and project activities related to Education 2030 targets and commitments as reflected in work plans;    
• Coordinate SDG 4 monitoring, review, and reporting in liaison with the UNESCO Institute of Statstics, the Global Education Monitoring Report team, the UNESCO Office in New York, as well as with other relevant UNESCO entities.

Policy Advice\:

• Initiate policy development and creation, in accordance with priority areas;
• Support and provide specialized expertise and advice to Member States, partners and colleagues in implementing and monitoring SDG4 targets and commitments.

Networking, Communication and Knowledge Management\:

• Develop and maintain professional collaboration and global partnerships/mechanisms  including the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee,  the Consultative Committee of NGOs, the E-9 Partnership of high-population countries, and hosting of the Global Education 2030 Meetings;
• Plan, develop and implement outreach strategies;
• Strengthen cooperation with international development partners, in particular through the Education 2030 co-convening agencies.

Resources Mobilization\:

• Explore and develop alternative funding mechanisms and resource mobilisation opportunities.

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of education, economics, social sciences or in another related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively relevant professional experience in the field of education development and policy, of which at least 3 years acquired at the international level.
• Proven experience  in managing programmes/projects in the field of education.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating, negotiating and dealing with partners and networks in private and/or public sectors.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Good knowledge of the the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and of 2030 education targets and commitments.
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills with ability to establish priorities, coordinate and monitor own work plan.
• Ability to manage, supervise and motivate staff and team.
• Demonstrated fund-raising and resource mobilization skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing, with strong representation skills. 
• Ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and oral). 

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in the field of development studies, international cooperation, education policy, and/or economics of education.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in managing education and development programmes/projects at the country level.
• Experience in education and development cooperation at regional and/or interntaional levels.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES   

• Familiarity with the general functioning and mechanisms of the United Nations System and of multilateral and bilateral cooperation in education.
• Sound understanding of global and regional education and development trends.

LANGUAGES

• Good knowledge of the second working language (English or French).
• Knowledge of other official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).