Iraq: Associate Project Officer

UNESCO’s strategy for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) aims at providing assistance to Member States to transform their TVET systems and practices with focused actions in three core areas: (i) provision of upstream policy advice and related capacity development in the field of TVET; (ii) conceptual clarification of skills development and improvement of monitoring; and (iii) acting as a clearinghouse and informing the global TVET debate.

In this context, UNESCO is implementing several TVET programmes at global and country levels including the project “Reforming technical and vocational education and training in Iraq”, funded by the European Union .

The overall objective of the project is to make TVET a key driver for Iraq’s economic development by increasing the competiveness and relevance of TVET in line with the international standards so that it can deliver quality education to young people to prepare them for wage and self‐employment.

I.Dutiesandrequirements

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, overall guidance of the Director of UNESCO Office for Iraq and, and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical and organizational support in the implementation of the project “Reforming technical and vocational education and training in Iraq”.

In particular, the incumbent will provide management and liaison support in the planning and implementation of the project activities related to TVET governance, quality assurance, capacity building and the nexus between TVET and the labour market.

The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

1.Assistinprojectimplementationby:

a) Assisting in designing a detailed work and activities plan and regularly monitoring its implementation;

b) Assisting in the preparation of the procurement plan for goods and services and regularly monitoring its implementation;

c) Supporting the identification of partners and providers of goods and services;

d) Assisting in drafting terms of reference of contracts;

e) Following–up on the implementation of contracts, assessing the quality of services provided and requesting disbursement of funds, upon approval by the Senior Project Officer;

1.Assistin monitoring and evaluation of programme implementation and in reporting on programmeactivitiesby:

a) Contributing to monitoring of project activities and suggesting updates of the project log frame if required;

b) Supporting the regular monitoring of the financial status of the project and providing input to budget revisions;

c) Compiling minutes of meetings for periodic project review with government counterparts and key stakeholders and the following action plans; regularly assisting the Senior Project Officer in following up;

d) Assisting in the preparation of reports on project activities for UNESCO, donors and partners;

e) Providing input to the implementation of the visibility plan of the project;

2.Contributeto liaising with government and national and international stakeholders by:

a) Assisting in establishing and maintaining regular contact with national counterparts and key stakeholders, in particular with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research and training institutions as well as the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, Industry, and Oil and representatives of the industry, service, commerce and agriculture sectors;

b) Assisting in the preparation of, and participating in meetings of the project steering committee and technical committees and other key TVET actors including preparing minutes and assisting the Senior Project Officer in following up on action points;

a) Establishing relationship and collaboration with representatives of the line ministries and with employers and their representatives to foster their active participation in and ownership of the project implementation;

b) Participating in coordination and working mechanisms with relevance to TVET established by the UN Country team or any other international and national actor;

c) Assisting the Senior Project Officer

d) in running regular meetings with other key actors operating in the TVET and employment sector to build synergies and avoid duplications;

3.Enhancethe TVET related knowledge base by:

a) Monitoring of, and reporting on the latest trends and recommendations related to TVET governance, quality assurance and capacity building, including those released by UNESCO Headquarters and relevant UNESCO institutes;

b) Monitoring relevant initiatives within UNESCO Office for Iraq and making recommendations for synergies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of education, management, economy, business administration or any other related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORKEXPERIENCE

• At least two years of experience in the fields of education and capacity building, of which preferably one year acquired at the international level.
• Experience in project management.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build and maintain effective partnerships at all levels.
• Very good written and oral communication skills, including drafting skills.
• Good understanding of the main aspects of TVET.
• Ability to support large scale reform initiatives and programmes, preferably in the area of education.
• Good project management skills. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the Organization.
• Good knowledge of the Iraqi context and educational system.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of standard Office software.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Professional accreditations/certification in project management.

WORKEXPERIENCE

• Experience in the field of governance and public sector reform.
• Working experience in a conflict/post‐conflict country.
• Working experience in the Arab region, preferably in Iraq.
• Prior experience with UN funds and programmes.
• Working experience in EU funded projects.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation, in particular in the UN System.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of Arabic

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars and exempt from income tax. They consist of a basic salary and a post 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

To apply, please send your application letter, UNESCO CV (CV Form to be used), in English by email: recruitment.bag@unesco.org. Please label the subject line “Associate Project Officer – TVET Governance”.

Application files will have to reach UNESCO Erbil before 12 June 2017 midnight (Erbil, Iraq, 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