CHIEF OF EDUCATION SECTION / SENIOR PROGRAMME SPECIALIST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education and the direct supervision of the Director of the Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab Region, the incumbent will lead the Education Section in the design, coordination, execution and evaluation efforts for programme and projects and play a significant role in policy and strategy direction, development and integration, resource optimization and overall office management.

The incumbent will set the research agenda in the Sustainable Development Goal 4 for the region, conduct trends analyses, review policies and develop new approaches in capacity development in collaboration with the Education team in the Regional Bureau. S/he will establish guidelines based on best practices to assist Member States in policy formulation as well as in planning and management of their education systems.

In particular, the incumbent will \:

• Provide intellectual leadership and guidance to Education programmes/projects and team to develop, drive and ensure the delivery of a comprehensive education strategy and the design of relevant approaches, partnerships, policies, objectives and deliverables;
  
• Ensure the overall management of the Education Section in the Bureau  -  set objectives, monitor and evaluate the performance of staff, provide guidance and ensure the staff’s continuous learning and professional development;
  
• Direct the conceptualization, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of work plans and regular and extra budgetary initiatives and activities; 
  
• Set the research agenda for the region, particularly in the context of the post-2015 education agenda; conduct trends analyses; review policies and develop new approaches in capacity development in collaboration with and at the request of Member States and other stakeholders in the region;
  
• Establish guidelines based on best practices to assist Member States in policy formulation as well as in planning and management of their education systems with national, regional and international partners; 
  
• Collaborate effectively with relevant UNESCO’s Category 1 Institutes in the region, in particular, the International Institute for Educational Planning,  the UNESCO Institute for Life-Long Learning and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics,  as well as with the Education Sector’s Divisions  at Headquarters , in areas of policy research, educational planning and management;  
  
• Represent the Bureau at international, regional or national events, including the United Nations Country Team when requested;
  
• Lead resource mobilization and develop alternative funding mechanisms for the regional and countries by developing concepts and project proposals. 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, education planning and management and/or education evaluation, social sciences or related field.

• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in education programmes and/or projects planning, implementation and management,
• Relevant experience acquired at  the international level.
  

• Ability to build, manage and promote effective teams, cross-sectoral collaboration and external partnerships. 
  
• Ability to advocate and mobilize resources and partnerships. 
  
• Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations System.
  
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and teams in a multicultural environment.
  
• Ability to identify emerging educational trends and needs and ability to plan strategically and translate strategy into priorities and action. 
  

• English and French are the working languages of the UNESCO Secretariat. For this post, excellent knowledge of English is required.