Project Officer (Eduction)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 4UZED0002PA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Tashkent

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

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

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 28-06-2020

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

I. Background

With the assistance of UNESCO and the European Union, the Government of Uzbekistan will be implementing the project “Skills Development for the Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan”, recognizing the agriculture skills development as a driver of social and economic development. The overall objective of this project is to enhance living standards in rural areas through better employability for women and men, and the specific objective is to prepare women and men with relevant skills for the needs of a sustainable, diversified and modernized agriculture. The activities of the project will contribute to the following results: (i) to modernize and strengthen governance of skills development in the agriculture and irrigation sectors in line with the labour market demands; (ii) to modernize qualifications and methodologies of skills development to serve the needs of the labour market, learners and workers in the agriculture and irrigation; and (iii) to modernize agriculture and irrigation colleges in rural areas with competent management and teaching staff using modern technologies and teaching and learning methods.

In particular, the project will target development of relevant skills of women and men for sustainable, diversified and modernised agriculture in Uzbekistan. It will also contribute to improving the quality, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the skills development system in the agriculture and irrigation sectors, initiated by the Government of Uzbekistan, with a particular focus on the rural regions selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources (Karakalpakstan, Khorazm, Bukhara, Surkhondaryo).  This project will help the Government to develop, to test and to pilot new initiatives and approaches in the agriculture and irrigation sectors with a view to scaling up transversal methods, high technology agriculture and food processing, and innovative approaches throughout the country.

Long Description

 

II. Overview of the functions of the post

 

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED) and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the incumbent will contribute technically in the implementation of the project “Skills Development for the Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan”, in particular:

 

• Contribute to the planning, developing and implementing project activities within the project timeframe and in consultation with the project team;
• Contribute to the recruitment of national and international consultants;
• Oversee and assure the quality design and delivery of trainings in the project sites by working closely with government training institutions and experts;
• Contribute to development of the outline of a qualifications framework on agriculture and irrigation sectors, aligning with the latest draft of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), in close collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and support its implementation;
• Develop qualifications in agriculture and irrigation based on the results of labour market analysis by incorporating green skills, work-based learning, new high tech agriculture skills and environmental awareness, in line with the outline of sector qualification framework;
• Review existing assessment and certification systems in agriculture and irrigation, and develop and implement a plan of rationalization and harmonization;
• Develop and pilot a concept and implementation plan of extension services for agriculture and irrigation colleges to meet the needs of local agriculture and irrigation sectors and the value chain of enterprises, and applying new extension systems with technology such as digital learning, digital communications, and information systems;
• Ensure development and piloting demand-driven qualifications, and methodologies of skills in agriculture and irrigation.

Long Description

• Conduct a diagnosis and needs assessment of the status of teaching, training and learning at agriculture and irrigation colleges in four priority rural regions and develop teaching and training materials and modernize equipment and facilities (Karakalpakstan, Khorazm, Bukhara, Surkhondaryo);
• Develop and pilot innovative grass-roots initiatives targeting rural population and vulnerable groups in four priority rural regions to support their access to employment, entrepreneurship and self-employment;
• Contribute to the establishment, management and monitoring of contracts and relationships with multiple implementing partners/consultants/contractors covering the range of expertise required to successfully implement the activities, in compliance with the rules and regulations of UNESCO;
• Liaise with and facilitate consultation between the relevant local authorities in Uzbekistan, NGOs, suppliers and local community stakeholders as required;
• Organize periodic stakeholder meetings and capacity-building workshops in order to ensure necessary competencies are transferred from experts to local practitioners;
• Facilitate information sharing amongst stakeholders, including with local authorities and communities, and NGOs, and organize events to enhance awareness-raising and project visibility both inside and outside of Uzbekistan; and,
• Undertake missions as necessary and requested for the project implementation in Uzbekistan.

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

 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, social sciences, agriculture, water management or other relevant field.

 

Work Experience

• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience, of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level, in technical assistance and project management in the field of education, training or skills development.
• Work experience in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or skills development in Agriculture or Irrigation sector.

 

Skills and competencies

• Excellent coordination skills.
• Good knowledge of results-based and budget management tools.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads and meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to details and quality of work.
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Sensitivity to the local context.
• Excellent project implementation skills.
• Ability to work as part of an international team in a multicultural environment.

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialization in technical and vocational education and training, skills development, agricultural development and/or labor market and employment.

 

Work Experience

• Work experience in EU funded project implementation.
• Knowledge of UNESCOs mission and the Education Sector’s Programme.
• Work experience in CIS countries in related fields of Education (including training and skills development for employment)/Agriculture/Irrigation.

 

Skills and competencies

• Good political judgment with the ability to negotiate at the decision-making level.
• Knowledge of programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation, in particular in the UN.

 

Languages

• Good working knowledge of Russian.

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.

 

For more information in benefits and entitlements, please consult ICSC website.

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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