Senior Project Officer (Monitoring and Finance Advisor)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : ED/PA 186

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 12-SEPT-2021

 

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

 

Duration of contract: One (1) year with the possibility of an extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Section for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 Leadership facilitates and supports the organization’s mandated role in leading the Education 2030 Agenda. In so doing, the SDG 4 Leadership Section works with diverse constituencies, international partners and networks to reinforce global cooperation to support the implementation of collective commitments to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all. A renewed Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM) was endorsed at the 2021 Global Education Meeting and aims to bring countries and international partners together around shared priorities in more agile, efficient and aligned ways to accelerate progress towards SDG 4.

Long Description

The new GCM puts forward a remodeled SDG4-Education 2030 High-Level Steering Committee (HLSC) which will serve as the global education body. The three core functions of the HLSC are to:

1. Promote evidence-based policy formulation and implementation – Provide policy leadership to recommend priority actions for accelerating progress towards SDG 4 based on evidence, knowledge, and lessons on overcoming bottlenecks in achieving the SDG 4 targets. Promote the effective use of evidence for making appropriate policies and implementation strategies at the country level.
2. Monitor progress and improve the availability and use of data – Pursue the monitoring, follow-up and review arrangements for the SDG 4-Education 2030 agenda while helping hold all relevant partners to account for their commitments. Develop and pursue advocacy strategies based on reported national and regional benchmarks and create a Global Education Observatory.
3. Drive financing mobilisation and improve alignment – Advocate for mobilisation and better use of domestic and international education financing in support of agreed priorities, by galvanising renewed commitments, pushing for greater harmonisation and alignment, championing innovative sources of finance, and promoting efficiency and equity in education spending.

Long Description

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), guidance from the Director of the Division for Education 2030, and direct supervision of the Chief of Section of SDG 4 Leadership, the incumbent will will provide guidance, coordination and technical support to core functional areas 2 (monitoring) and 3 (financing) within the newly established Inter-Agency Secretariat.

• Coordinate Functional Areas (FA) 2 on data and monitoring and FA3 on education financing of the HLSC:
• Provide guidance for and ensure the participatory finalization of the concept notes, policy papers and other policy and knowledge products.
• Support the coordination of partnerships and orientation of technical and policy dialogue around the two FAs.
• Monitor the timely implementation of the work plans and provide technical support as required.
• Serve as the focal point for the Global Education Observatory led by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) and ensure alignment with FA2 as well as the overall objectives of the GCM. 

Long Description

• Liaise internally across the Education Sector, in particular with the Education Policy Section, UIS and the GEM Report, as well as with the SDG 4 / Inter-agency Secretariat Team members; Externally with Member States and key relevant partners, in particular the World Bank, UNICEF, the Global Partnership for Education, the OECD, the Global Education Forum, and the Global Campaign for Education, etc.
• Represent the Inter-agency Secretariat in meetings related to the two FAs where required, and actively identify platforms/venues where the FA policy work can be showcased and promoted.
• Liaise through UNESCO Regional Bureaus with the SDG4 Regional Coordination Mechanisms to provide support and ensure coherence and alignment in the work related to FAs 2 and 3 at global and regional levels.
• Strengthen the link between the FAs with the global accountability mechanism(s).
• Directly manage interns and consultants as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) Building partnerships (M) Driving and managing change (M) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Strategic thinking (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in in education economics, applied statistical/data analytics, developmental economics, or other relevant discipline.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant experience in education data analysis and monitoring and/or education finance, of which preferably, at least 3 years acquired at the international level.

Skills and competencies:

• Experience with data analytics practice and data use for reporting and accountability.
• Experience with design and implementation of monitoring frameworks.
• Expert knowledge in education finance issues.

• Strong facilitation skills.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work innovatively with minimal supervision and in a self-motivated manner.
• Ability to manage a high volume of work, keep deadlines and produce quality work under pressure.
• Experience in working with diverse teams and ability to maintain effective working relations within a multicultural team.
• Excellent quantitative skills;

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the field of education economics, applied statistical/data analytics, developmental economics, or other relevant discipline.

Work Experience

• Experience with design and implementation of monitoring frameworks.
• Relevant experience with UNESCO and/or UN system.
• Proven experience in working with international education partners and countries, and facilitating high-level dialogue on issues related to education data, monitoring and financing
• Experience in a developing country context.

Languages:

• Good working knowledge of French.

Assessment

A written test may be used in the evaluation of shortlisted candidates.

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 full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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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