Iraq: Senior Project Officer (P-4)

Title: Senior Project Officer

Domain: Education

Grade: P-4

Organizational Unit: UNESCO Office for Iraq, Education

Duty station: Baghdad, Iraq

Position No.: 5IQED0016PA

Type of contract: Project Appointment

Annual salary: Approx. 100,221 USD

Duration:Duration of contract :

1 year with possibility of extension depending on availability of funds and performance

Deadline (midnight, Paris time)**:**

19 April 2018

Application to be sent to:Recruitment.baghdad@unesco.org (UNESCO CV Form to be used with a cover letter making reference to Position No. 5IQED0016PA)

The incumbent will work in the Education Unit of the UNESCO Office for Iraq under the overall authority of the Assistant Director General ai for Education and direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Office for Iraq/UNESCO Representative to Iraq. S/he will be responsible for the management and implementation of the Education Above All funded project “Improving access to quality and inclusive education with gender equality for out-of-school children in Iraq” Educate A Child initiative – Phase II”, including the management of the project team.

Among the main challenges contributing to the exclusion of children from education in Iraq are reduced accessibility, poverty, poor quality of teaching and learning, lack of school infrastructure, low involvement of communities and lack of understanding of parents on the importance of education. Forced displacement created by armed conflict have further impeded access to educational institutions resulting in a dramatic increase of the number of OOSC in recent years as there are more than 1.3 million primary school-age children (6-12 years old) affected by the crisis in Iraq.

The main purpose of the project is to accelerate the achievement of universal access to primary education by considerably lowering the number of OOSC and re-integrate them into the formal education system in Iraq. The specific project objectives are providing safe and child friendly learning spaces especially in the areas where IDPs influx puts increased pressure on social facilities or in areas affected by conflict, enrollment of 150,000 OOSC (including IDPs and returnees), and enhancing the capacity of all national stakeholders to ensure quality of deliverables.

The incumbent will carry out the following:

1. Coordinate the implementation of the project in compliance with the specific project objectives, activities and expected outputs by:

a. Ensuring a quality achievement of the programme outputs in line with UNESCO qualitative standards and donor’s requirements;

b. Designing a detailed work and activities plan and regularly monitoring its implementation;

c. Preparing plans for the procurement of goods and services and regularly monitoring their implementation;

d. Identifying project implementation partners and providers of goods and services;

e. Drafting terms of reference of contracts;

f. Following–up on the implementation of the contracts, assessing the quality of services provided and requesting disbursement of funds;

g. Building synergies with other projects and activities of the UNESCO Office for Iraq, as well as of relevant partners.

1. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and the reporting on project activities by:

a. Contributing to monitoring and evaluating project activities, reporting on progress and suggesting updates of the project log frame if required;

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. Regularly conducting meetings of the project steering and governorates technical committees, preparing minutes of meetings and action plans with clear responsibility and timeframe;

e. Conducting periodic project reviews with government counterparts and other partners recording the results of the review meetings in minutes and action plans;

f. Entering data on the donor’s online reporting on six monthly bases;

g. Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor and partners in addition to coordinating with the MoE for submission of matching funds financial statement reports on six monthly basis;

h. Fostering exchanges of information, experience, identifying new strategies of action to improve delivery of services and to achieve the project requirements and objectives;

i. Supervising and providing leadership, guidance and direction for the project’s team through periodic meetings and other relevant measures.

1. Liaise with government, national stakeholders and international stakeholders by:

a. Ensuring project alignment with Government reforms in education and liaising with Ministry of Education on the implementation of matching funds activities;

b. Identifying relevant institutions and ensuring their engagement in project’s activities;

c. Ensuring capacity development of national stakeholders in all activities at individual, organizational and system levels;

d. Mobilizing UNESCO’s entities in support of out-of-school children;

e. Sharing international experiences and facilitating access to information, knowledge and good practices;

f. Setting-up mechanisms and actions to ensure sustainability of project outputs;

g. Maintaining regular relations with national counterparts and key stakeholders (Ministries, regional and local authorities, relevant UN agencies and other international partners, etc.);

h. Technically supporting the participation of UNESCO Office for Iraq in the relevant UNDAF working groups for which education is one of the thematic areas;

i. Running regular meetings with other key actors operating in the education sector to build synergies and avoid duplications.

1. 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. Providing content on project achievements for UNESCO's public information services to increase the visibility of UNESCO and the donor;

d. Draft project proposals and concept notes for new education projects as required; Carry out other activities as requested by his/her supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

· Advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master degree) in Education, social sciences or in any other related field relevant to the areas addressed by the project.

Work Experience

· Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of education, of which at least 3 years acquired at the international level;

· Experience in supporting education reform projects and large education programmes;

Skills/Competencies

· Excellent understanding of all aspects of education;

· Excellent project management skills, including, implementation, monitoring and evaluation ;

· Ability to manage, supervise and motivate staff and team;

· Strong analytical and problem solving skills;

· Proven capacity to provide upstream policy advice at highest levels;

· Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing;

· Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, and an ability to network with a range of partners, donors and others stakeholders in public and private sectors;

· Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the Organization;

· 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.

Languages Excellent knowledge of English, both orally and in writing.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

· Work experience in a conflict/post-conflict country

· Working experience in the Arab region is an asset

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.baghdad@unesco.org. Please label the subject line “5IQED0016PA - Senior Project Officer”

Application files will have to reach UNESCO Amman Office before 19 April 2018 midnight (Paris, France, time).

Due to the large number of applications received, only applicants short‐listed for interview will be contacted.

A written test may be used in the evaluation of short-listed candidates.

UNESCO is committed to promote geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply,

as well as nationals from non‐ and under‐represented Member States. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.