Afghanistan: International Consultant (Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist)

Background

Afghanistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, currently estimated at about 30% of the adult population (over 15 years of age). Female literacy levels are on average 17%, with high variation; the highest female literacy rates – 35% – are found in the capital, Kabul, while rates as low as 2% are found in the southern provinces of Zabul and and Helmand. Male literacy rates average about 45%, again with high variation. The highest male rates are in Panjsher (78%) and the lowest in Helmand (10%) and Uruzgan (15%). Progress in schooling over the past decade and in literacy acquisition by young adults have resulted in higher literacy rates in the 15-24 age range. Rates for young women average 24% - about twice as high as the national average for all female adults.

The Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan (ELA) programme began as a multi-dimensional project with two distinct kinds of activity: first, the provision of literacy, and second, building capacity within the Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) to plan, manage, and implement literacy programmes. The first and second phases of ELA aimed to institutionalize processes and place structures for the gradual extension of the programme across the country. Launched in 2008, the programme delivered literacy classes to 630,000 youth and adults, 60% of whom were female. The third phase of ELA aims to cover 30 provinces delivering literacy classes to 580,000 additional youths and adults until end of 2017. ELA programme has strengthened the ownership and sustainability of the programme within GIRoA and aims at achieving gradual transition of the ELA programme from UNESCO to the Ministry in line with a wider transition process in Afghanistan

Job Description

Under the overall supervision of the Director and Head of Education Unit of UNESCO Kabul Office, and under the direct supervision of the ELA Programme Manager at UNESCO Kabul Office, the incumbent will work closely with the Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy (DMoEL) of the Ministry of Education to monitor and document the ELA programme implementation, delivery of programme outputs and outcomes thereby improving overall M&E system of DMoLE and its linkage with Non-formal EMIS.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

1) Advice the Deputy Minister of Education for Literacy (DMoEL) on the overall management of M&E system for literacy education including the collection of learning achievement data and linkage with non-formal EMIS system;

2) Lead M&E and documentation of the ELA programme implementation, progress and achievements and advice the UNESCO management on any shortfall of planned activities;

3) Improve M&E framework of the ELA programme thereby developing integrated results frameworks, adapting improved indicators as per needs and integrating the ELA M&E system into that of DMoEL;

2. Capacity Building:

1) Support institutional capacity building of DMoEL by coordinating planned activities under a capacity building component of the ELA Programme and mobilizing resource persons within and out of UNESCO;

2) Provide training workshops related to M&E with government counterparts and UNESCO staff to improve overall data collection system, tools and analysis to feed into policy formulation in close consultation with UNESCO Institute of Life-long Learning and Office of Internal Oversights;

3) Plan and design a future literacy proficiency level survey to be integrated as a component of fund mobilization proposals in close consultation with experts of UNESCO Institute of Statistics and Central Statistics Office of Afghanistan.

Qualifications

· Education: advance university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, development studies or other relevant areas

· Years of relevant work experience: Two to four years of relevant work experience in the field of M&E of which preferably one year acquired at international level

· Knowledge in education, preferably non-formal education and skills development

· Work experience in Afghanistan and/or (post)conflict environment will be considered as a strong asset

Skills and Competencies

• Primary expertise in M&E system development/improvement with framework and tools for specific programme/project
• Institutional capacity building on M&E practice
• Ability to develop networks and constructive partnerships beyond own team and with government counterparts
• Good computer and other IT skills
• Strong sensitivity and adaptability in post-conflict countries and diversity (cultural, gender, religion, race and nationality)
• Excellent strategic and analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and oral expression
• Ability to interact with a wider range of high-level partners, experience working with government officials of recipient countries is strong assert
• Ability to handle tight deadlines under pressure, and challenging situations

Language requirement: Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written); knowledge of Pashto and/or Dari is an advantage.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are asked to send below required document by 29 January2016to the contact:e.procurement@unesco.org

1. Up-to-date UNESCO curriculum vitae (https://en.unesco.org/careers/media/3705)
2. Curriculum Vitae in free format
3. Cover letter explaining qualifications and motivations for the position

For further information, please write to e.procurement@unesco.org

The successful candidate is expected to start workASAP.Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in this UNESCO call.

We look forward to receiving your proposal in due time.