Iraq: Senior Project Officer -P4

Title: Senior Project Officer

Domain: Education Sector (ED)

Grade: P4

Organizational Unit: UNESCO Iraq Office

Primary Location: Erbil, Iraq

Type of contract: Project Appointment

Position number: 5IQED0014PA
Deadline (midnight, Paris time): 21 December 2016

Annual Salary: Single:98922 USD, Dependent: 106228 USD

Duration: One year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Application to be sent to: recruitment.bag@unesco.org

Overview of the Functions of the Position
I. Background
Since the start of the humanitarian crisis in Iraq in 2014, millions of Iraqis have been internally displaced. In addition, 250 000 Syrian refugees are currently living in Iraq. In response to this humanitarian crisis, UNESCO is assisting the Iraqi authorities in providing access to quality education for IDPs and Syrian refugees in Iraq.
In this context, the project “Access to Inclusive Quality Primary and Secondary Education for IDPs and Refugees in Crisis-Affected areas in Iraq”, funded by the European Union, aims at increasing access to inclusive quality primary and secondary education for IDPs and refugees in six crisis-affected areas in Iraq benefiting at least 100,00 IDPs and refugee children and youth.
II. Duties and requirements
Under the direct supervision of the Director of UNESCO Office for Iraq/UNESCO Representative to Iraq, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the above-mentioned project, also exploring the potential to build synergies with other interventions of similar nature within UNESCO's education programme. More specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following:

1. Coordinate the implementation of the project in compliance with the project specific objectives, activities and expected outputs by:
   a) Designing a detailed work plan and regularly monitoring its implementation;
   b) Preparing procurement plans of goods and services and regularly monitoring its implementation;
   c) Identifying project implementation partners and providers of goods and services;
   d) Drafting terms of reference of contracts;
   e) Following–up on the implementation of the contracts, assessing the quality of services provided and requesting disbursement of funds;
   f) Managing the project team (project officers, project assistant, etc.);.
   g) Ensuring quality achievement of the programme outputs in line with UNESCO qualitative standards.
2. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and the reporting on project activities by:
   UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
   a) Contributing to monitoring and evaluating project activities, reporting on progress and suggesting updates of the project log frame;
   b) Presenting aggregate strategic analysis on project performance based on commitment of indicators and implementation of activities as well as output delivery;
   c) Regularly monitoring the financial status of the project and promptly developing budget revision if needed;
   d) Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor and partners;
   e) Providing content on major project’s achievements and steps in project implementation for UNESCO's public information services to ensure visibility and public accountability of results;
   f) Supervise and provide leadership, guidance and direction to the project team through periodic meetings and other relevant measures. Ensure exchanges of information, experience, identify new strategies of action to improve delivery of services and to achieve the project requirements and objectives.
3. Liaise with government, national stakeholders and international stakeholders by:
   a) Identifying relevant institutions and ensuring their engagement in project’s activities;
   b) Maintaining contacts with national counterparts and stakeholders (Ministries, , regional and local authorities, etc.); and organize meetings of the project coordination committee;
   c) Liaise with international humanitarian actors notably through the education cluster;
   d) Sharing international experiences and facilitating access to information, knowledge and good practices;
   e) Setting-up mechanisms and actions to ensure sustainability of project outputs.
4. Ensure communication and visibility by:
   a) Preparing the project visibility plan and ensuring its implementation;
   b) Preparing technical briefs/status updates on the project for wider dissemination;
   c) Organizing communication events (seminars and workshops) and liaising with local and international media;
   Required qualifications
   EDUCATION
    Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent degree) in the field of education or social sciences. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
   WORK EXPERIENCE
    Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible, relevant work experience, in the field of education, of which at least 3 years acquired at international level.;
    Work experience in a conflict/post-conflict country.
    Experience in supporting education reform projects and large education programmes;
   SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
    Excellent understanding of education in emergencies;
    Excellent project management skills;
    Supervisory and managerial skills, capable of leading a team of professionals.
    Capable of making technically sound decisions on all aspects of project implementation;
    Capable of providing upstream policy advice at highest levels;
    Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the Organization.
   UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
   LANGUAGES
    Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of French.
   Desirable qualifications
   WORK EXPERIENCE
    Working experience in the Arab region is an asset.
   SKILLS/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;
    Office management skills and knowledge of accountancy principles to maintain financial records;
    Advanced IT skills.
   LANGUAGES
    Knowledge of another official language (Arabic) of the Organization would be an asset.
   Benefits and Entitlements
   UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars and exempt from income tax. They consist of a basic salary and a position adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and 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 on the ICSC Web site.
   How

Interested candidates should complete the attached United Nations Personal History form (P.11) with a covering letter in English explaining their interest in the position and forward it electronically to the following e-mail address: recruitment.bag@unesco.org
Please indicate the position and vacancy number you are applying for. Incomplete P.11s will not be processed.
Applications can also be received via fax only if internet access is not available to apply online. A completed official UNESCO CV form (available from the UNESCO home page) should be sent to fax number: +962 6 5902350.
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that their application is submitted on or before 21 December 2016 Midnight local time. Due to the large number of applications received, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.
PLEASE NOTE THAT UNESCO IS A NON-SMOKING ORGANIZATION

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