Deputy Head

Organizational Setting 

Pôle de Dakar is the International Institute for Educational Planning’s (IIEP) Africa-based office located in Dakar, Senegal. IIEP is a UNESCO specialized institute with a mandate to strengthen Member States’ capacity to plan and manage their education systems. IIEP Pôle de Dakar, is renowned for its cutting edge educational sector analyses and supports African countries in developing realistic and credible education sector analyses and plans in support of the Education 2030 agenda, an essential part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

Through a capacity development approach, IIEP Pôle de Dakar contributes to the creation of diagnostic analyses, sector plans and pedagogical tools. In concert, these contribute to more relevant and sustainable educational policies across Africa. IIEP Pole de Dakar is also actively involved in applied research and tool development in educational policy, planning and management in Africa. For more information about its activities please follow this link: Pôle de Dakar.         

In addition to an attractive salary and benefits package, IIEP continuously seeks creative ways to motivate, energize and grow its people by providing meaningful work and learning opportunities.

Overview of the functions of the post

Under the overall authority of the Director of IIEP and the direct supervision of the Head of Office, and within the framework of IIEP's Medium-Term Strategy, the incumbent serves as deputy for the Head of Office in the strategic direction and management of the Office, including acting as interim during absences.

The incumbent will assist the Head of the IIEP Dakar Office in all matters pertaining to the Office direction; with a particular emphasis on:

• The identification of Africa region member states key needs and options in matters of education planning and management, in the context of the region’s specific demographic, environmental, socio-economic, political and security challenges and opportunities;
• The contribution of IIEP Dakar to the global IIEP strategic thinking and planning, as well as international presence and representation;
• The development of IIEP Dakar strategy and work plan within the overall IIEP Medium Term Strategy, including new lines of activities for all modalities of intervention (training, technical cooperation, research & development, and outreach & communication);
• The implementation of IIEP Dakar strategy and work plan, with a focus on results, quality, accountability and reporting;
• The management of the Office’s human resources, with the support of IIEP HR Office, including ways of work, professional development, coaching, and cross-team collaborations;
• The management of the Office’s financial resources, with the support of IIEP Administration, both in Paris and Dakar, including the establishment of a viable economic model for IIEP Dakar within the global IIEP, the restructuring of IIEP Dakar budget along core funding and project funding, and more globally the efforts towards a strategic and efficient use of resources;
• The development of strategic, financial and operational partnerships with Governments and other stakeholders and decision makers within National, Regional and International Organizations and Institutions.

Competencies 

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:

Managerial competencies

• Driving and managing change
• Strategic thinking
• Making quality decisions
• Building partnerships
• Leading and empowering others
• Managing performance

Core competencies

• Accountability 
• Communication 
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Results focus
• Planning and organizing
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement 

For detailed information, please follow this link: UNESCO Competency Framework

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced University degree (PhD, Masters or equivalent) in Education, Public Policy, Economics or Social Sciences or other related fields.

Or

• Advanced Civil Servant training (Government school or equivalent).

Work experience

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in public policy, either in direct public service at senior level, or in institutions dedicated to research, training, or capacity building, of which at least five(5) years acquired at the international level in regional or multilateral programs or institutions.

Skills and competencies

• Thorough knowledge of Sub-Saharan African institutional and Public Policy context.
• Strong management skills, including the capacity to mobilize and administer financial resources, build and manage human resources, and monitor programme implementation to deliver results.
• Flexibility and ability to address multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proven organizational skills, including in establishing priorities and plans as well as implementing them effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and capacity to provide intellectual leadership to guide staff and motivate teams in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, and to exercise supervision and control.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing, with strong representational abilities.  
• Strong sense of responsibility, ethics, tact and discretion; ability to work under pressure, respecting tight deadlines.

Languages

• Excellent/very good knowledge (written and spoken) of either French or English and basic working knowledge of the other language.     

Desirable Qualifications

Experience 

• Experience in developing, implementing or evaluating policies/programs/projects at senior level in ministries of education;
• Experience in developing, implementing or evaluating policies/programs/projects at senior level in ministries of finance and budget, development and cooperation, health, social services or other related departments;
• Experience in international or national response to ongoing crisis in the Africa region, including response to humanitarian, security, or environmental crisis;
• Experience in international or national response to ongoing challenges and opportunities in the Africa region, including matters of employment, migration, urbanization or the environment.

Skills and competencies 

• Ability to function effectively at senior governmental and diplomatic levels.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships and networks. 
• Ability to detect emerging educational needs to which an international research and training program could make a substantial contribution and identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks. 
• Knowledge of key policy trends and ongoing institutional reforms at the Continental, Regional and National level in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Particular expertise on areas pertaining to institutional capacity building in the Sub-Saharan African context.
• Particular expertise on public policy, public finance and budget, or service delivery in specific contexts (crisis, humanitarian, minorities, etc.).
• Ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners and to participate effectively in high-level negotiations.

Assessment 

A written assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview may be used to evaluate qualified candidates.

How to apply

To apply, please send together, your CV in (UNESCO format), your letter of motivation and the compulsory questionnaire to: deputyhead.pdk@iiep.unesco.org 

Please note: Only CVs in the UNESCO format will be considered  

Important: Please indicate « Deputy Head, P5 » in the subject line of your email message. The deadline for applications is 19 January 2020 at midnight (Dakar time).

Benefits and entitlements 

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.  More details can be found on the ICSC website.

Please note that UNESCO is a no-smoking Organization.

UNESCO is committed to promoting geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, as are nationals from non- and under-represented Member States. Persons with disabilities equally are encouraged to apply.

UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.

UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.