Afghanistan: Project Officer, Curriculum Reform

Background

The incumbent will work in the Education Unit of the UNESCO Office for Afghanistan under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, the Director of the UNESCO Office for Afghanistan/UNESCO Representative to Afghanistan, and the Chief of Education at UNESCO Afghanistan, and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Coordinator for the project. S/he will be responsible for the management and implementation of the curriculum reform component of the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) funded project “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s Future”, including the management of the curriculum project team.

The objective of this project is to provide technical support to the Ministries of Education (MoE) and Higher Education (MoHE) in on-going education reform processes emerging from Afghanistan’s National Strategic Education Plan III (NESP III). This project is organized around the three pillars of the NESP, (i) efficient and transparent management; (ii) quality and relevance; and (iii) equitable access. Through this project, UNESCO will support MoE and MoHE to strengthen capacity and develop, implement and monitor robust education sector plans integrating a gender perspective and underpinned by accurate and reliable education sector data, revise curricula and learning resources for formal general education (grades 1-12), non-formal adult education (levels 1-3), and higher education and research (Bachelor’s and Master’s), and increase access to general literacy and skills-based literacy programmes, with a particular focus on women. The incumbent will be responsible for leading the component within the quality and relevance outcome relating to reform of the formal general education curriculum. Within this component, UNESCO will support the on-going reform process of general education curricula, with strong focus on the implementation and operationalization of key curricular documents and teacher training.

This project integrates a system-wide capacity development approach intended to provide comprehensive and seamless UNESCO support to the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), to respond to key challenges facing the education sector in Afghanistan. The following UNESCO entities are associated in this project under the overall leadership and coordination of UNESCO Kabul: The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP), the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), the International Bureau for Education (IBE), the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education in Bangkok, and UNESCO Headquarters. The incumbent will maintain strong liaison with UNESCO- IBE, in particular, given IBE’s role in supporting key activities within the curriculum component.

Overview of the functions of the post

Main responsibilities and tasks

1. Programme planning

· Follow-up on the project work plans for curriculum by supporting the Senior Project Coordinator to periodically review and refine program activities and adjusting programmatic and financial plans as necessary.

· Supervise administrative matters concerning the curriculum activities of the project, including

contract and budget management.

· Develop and circulate TORs for coordination platforms (e.g. the Curriculum Reform Oversight Group) and temporary experts, where required.

2. Programme implementation

· Provide overall coordination of the curriculum reform projects by liaising with the main government counterparts to implement program activities in a high-quality and timely manner.

· Develop and manage contracts necessary for the efficient implementation of the curriculum activities within the project;

· Ensure regular communication and consultation with national stakeholders and UNESCO staff during the implementation of the program, including at the International Bureau of Education (IBE), UNESCO HQ, and UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Education in the Asia Pacific. Prepare and document minutes where necessary of key meetings, including the Curriculum Reform Oversight Group.

· Organize and coordinate seminars, national conferences, consultation meetings and other activities for diverse target groups according to the approved project work plans.

· Work with Chief of the Education Unit and Project Coordinator to liaise with international partners such as UNICEF, other UN entities, the World Bank, and NGOs, on matters relating to curriculum reform.

3. Programme monitoring and reporting

· Support the Senior Project Coordinator monitor the implementation of the curriculum reform work plans and prepare budget revisions as necessary.

· Monitor contracts set up for program implementation, ensuring deliverables meet UNESCO standards.

· Analyze, edit and compile other documentation and prepare briefing papers, website articles, and other supporting donors and for internal use, particularly with a view to making strategic decisions and adding technical value and input to program activities.

Competencies

· A successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:

· Core Competencies

· Accountability

· Communication

· Teamwork

· Innovation

· Results focus

· Planning and organizing

· Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Qualifications and requirements

Academic qualifications

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies or related area.

• A focus on curriculum studies is an asset.

Years of Work Experience

• At least four years of relevant work experience, with two acquired at national and/or international level in the field of education, preferably related to curriculum reform, and/or education policy/planning.

Skills/Competencies

· Strong experience in management and implementation of education programs and coordinating teams in planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting

· Strong sensitivity and adaptability (cultural, gender, religion, race and nationality)

· Ability to interact with a wide range of high–level partners

· Excellent strategic and analytical skills.

· Excellent organizational and knowledge management skills

· Excellent communication skills, including writing and oral expression.

· Excellent computer and other IT skills.

Desirable qualifications Skills/Competencies

· Experience in working in a post-conflict and post disaster (PCPD) context and a clear understanding of development work, particularly of capacity development.

· Previous experience with UN agencies and understanding of the UN system, including its administrative procedures, would be an asset. Previous experience in a curriculum-related role is an advantage.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English

The interested candidates should send the following documents to k.human-resource@unesco.org before 16th July 2018 (by midnight, Kabul time), with subject KAB/ED/07/2018/001

ü A cover letter

ü An up to date curriculum vitae

Please note that applications received after 16th July, 2018 (midnight Kabul time) will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for interview. UNESCO regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone queries on the advertised posts.