EMIS Technical Specialist-AMN-20-ED-0003-SC-10/1

Long Description OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Amman

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 5

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 16-AUG-2020

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Since 2019, UNESCO has been implementing the System Strengthening Partnership (SSP) programme to support the Ministry of Education (MoE) in strengthening evidence-based strategic policy-making, and coordination at the MoE.  More specifically, through this 3-year, multi-partnership programme, currently funded by Canada, and AICS, with the EU expected to join in 2020,  UNESCO is providing technical support to the MoE in areas of data collection, analysis and utilization, by reinforcing the MoE’s capacity to maintain, manage and utilize the OpenEMIS platform, while also strengthening the core functions of planning and budgeting, monitoring and reporting, research and evaluation, data and information management, and development cooperation. 

 

The first phase of OpenEMIS was completed in 2017, when phase I of OpenEMIS was adapted and customized to the Jordanian educational system, according to the requirements of the Ministry of Education. In January 2019, a comprehensive assessment of Jordan’s OpenEMIS was commissioned by UNESCO. Building on the recommendations and lessons learnt from the assessment, the outcomes led to the development of an EMIS roadmap^[1], detailing the key requirements for OpenEMIS in phase II. At this stage, UNESCO has supported the MoE in developing its EMIS Operational Workplan, building on the recommendations of the EMIS roadmap, and providing technical guidance on the needed developments of OpenEMIS Phase II. The technical development of the infrastructure, as well as capacity building for MoE , and QRC staff will begin in August 2020.

 

[1] The EMIS roadmap is an operational workplan consisting of work streams associated with a timeline, a cost, a risk mitigation plan, levels of priority, and clear roles and responsibilities. Its’ objective is to improve and strengthen the current OpenEMIS in Jordan, not only through the technical aspects, but also in the institutional and coordination aspects.

Long Description

In parallel, as it is important to establish the enabling environment for EMIS rapidly to support the development and effective operation of OpenEMIS, UNESCO will support the MoE in developing their EMIS Policy, covering the organizational structure and institutional processes, as well as the reactivation of the EMIS Technical Committee to improve the internal management and coordination of EMIS. 

 

Within this context, UNESCO is seeking technical support to provide the required technical back stopping to successfully improve the enabling environment of EMIS at the MoE. More specifically, the EMIS technical advisor will be expected to provide his/her technical advice to support the development of the EMIS Policy, as well as to support the strengthening of the MoE capacity in the management, institutionalization, and coordination of EMIS.

 

Moreover, the technical advisor will provide the required technical support and guidance throughout the implementation of the MoE EMIS Operational Workplan as needed.

Long Description

Under the overall authority and guidance from the Head of the UNESCO Amman Office, and Education Programme Specialist, as well as the direct supervision of the Project Officer for the System Strengthening Partnership Programme, the EMIS technical advisor will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsibilities in support of:

 

1) Coordination:

1. Provide technical support to the MoE in the reactivation of the EMIS Technical Committee to guide and advise on the administration and management of OpenEMIS in Jordan (e.g. update of the EMIS Technical Committee ToRs).
2. Support the coordination and organization of the EMIS Technical Committee as well as provide technical advice as needed, including coordination of inputs to key strategic documents such as the EMIS policy.

 

2) Policy advice:

1. Provide technical support to UNESCO and the MoE in coordinating the consultation process and finalization of the EMIS policy to fully institutionalize EMIS functioning within MoE. This includes building a close and continuous coordination with Queen Rania Centre, and the Managing Department of Educational Planning and Research, as well as all other relevant MoE departments, to fully utilize the OpenEMIS in the decision-making and policy building process.

3) Technical backstopping:

a. Assist UNESCO Amman in providing timely technical advice to the MoE’s EMIS implementation in accordance to the MoE EMIS Operational Workplan. This includes: 

• Conduct field evaluations/consultations/technical surveys, time-tabling of activities, costing and the release of deliverables that will be further required for the enhancement and decentralisation of the Jordan’s OpenEMIS.
• Support in the review, adaptation of existing data collection instruments or tools and development and implementation of new data quality control procedures at all levels and all data sources
• Support the Pilot-test and consolidation of the new OpenEMIS Jordan in selected sample schools and field directorates.
• Support the development, testing and implementation of a web-based, user-friendly content management system with data visualization and indicators reporting interfaces adapted for various levels of MoE users.
• Support in the development of detailed documentation of all modifications, extensions and enhancements required to the features of OpenEMIS Jordan.
• Support the technical and functional analysis of data integration challenges of different existing internal or external database sources into a coherent data warehouse (e.g. Geographical Information System etc.) and implementation of solutions considered feasible, most sustainable and most cost-effective for the MoE-Jordan.

Long Description

b. Provide support to the MoE in updating and institutionalization the EMIS Operational manual.

c. Contribute to a comprehensive inventory, review and upgrading of the specifications for the computer hardware and networking infrastructure of the MoE in coordination with MoDEE and in line with the MoE ICT Strategic Plan.

d. Provide support - as required - for hardware deployment, for standard software installations and in the roll out of EMIS software to the relevant MoE Jordan units at central and decentralized levels. Support with the definition of cost-effective and self-reliant IT infrastructure maintenance strategy for MoE-Jordan.

 

4) Capacity building:

1. Assist in the design, content, organization, and delivery of capacity development activities, resources and tools, where required, for the benefit of MoE staff in QRC, the MoE Department of Educational Planning and Research, and other relevant MoE Departments, as well as for directorates of education and school management teams.

 

In addition, the EMIS Technical Specialist will be required to carry out any other duties requested by UNESCO.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (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

1.    Academic qualifications
 Advanced University degree (Master or equivalent) in education, international development, computer information sciences, computer engineering, information technology, data science or data management, or a related field.

 

2.    Years of relevant work experience
•    Over 10 years of relevant experience in the field of education, with particular focus on educational planning and policy, education statistics, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and/or institutional system strengthening, capacity development and change management.
•    Experience in management of IT projects, and or specifically of EMIS or related educational database projects in large international Settings/organizations. 
•    Experience in the development and successful roll out of IT systems, preferably in relation to education sector; and in managing a significant transformation process or change management initiative that helped to structurally improve the EMIS.
•    Previous experience providing technical support to governments for the design and development of education indicators, for data analysis and statistics, and for using national Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) or related educational databases for education planning, monitoring and reporting.
 

3.    Language requirement
•    Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of both English and Arabic is essential. 

 

4.    Competencies and Skills

Functional competencies and Skills:
•    Technical expertise in the field of education, with particular focus on education statistics, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and/or institutional system strengthening and capacity development.
•    Proven experience in all phases of the software development cycle.
•    Strong analytical skills including the ability to analyze the overall education sector and contribute to programme and project development and adjustments based on evolution of conditions on the ground.
•    Strong commitment and proven ability to improve education systems through knowledge transfer, effective collaboration, and a strong capacity development approach. 
•    Ability to work as a team and in close collaboration with national authorities, implementing partners, consultancy firms, and/or individual consultants.
•    Advanced computer skills including MS Office Suite. 
•    Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous tasks, and to deliver results within a specified timetable.
•    Proven good interpersonal and communication skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively in complex operations within a multi-cultural environment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1.    Years of relevant work experience

•    2 years working in the field of education at the international level is an asset.
•    Previous experience working within the UN system including familiarity with its administrative and procurement systems and processes is an asset.

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 and UNESCO's career website.

ASSESSMENT

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

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