Afghanistan: Project Officer (Curriculum Reform)

Background and Context

A relevant, high quality curriculum is essential to ensuring education systems equip learners with the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and values to participate and contribute meaningfully to their communal and economic contexts. Whilst acknowledging the enormous progress made since 2002 in expanding access to education to all groups within society, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) now considers the improvement of quality in its education system to be a key priority over the next five years. Underpinned by broader concerns about learner achievement, the Government also seeks to improve the preparedness of youth for employment and to better ensure its education systems foster the inclusiveness needed for continued national reintegration, in part by revisions and improvements to the education system. The third National Education Strategic Plan (NESP III), positions improved quality alongside continued expansion of access to education and sector-wide management reform as its guiding priorities through to 2021. A critical component of quality improvement is comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum reform.

Following a request from the Ministry of Education (MoE) in 2015, UNESCO has been working in partnership with the MoE to develop a Curriculum Framework for General Education (Curriculum Framework), an Afghan Life Competencies Framework (ALCF) and subject area syllabi through its Capacity Development for Education 2030 (CapED) program and with support from UNICEF. Curriculum reform is one of the components under the project “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s Future”, with funding from Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) funded 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

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.

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. 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 Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education. Prepare and document minutes 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 the Chief of Education Unit 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

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

Required qualifications

Education

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies or related area. A focus on curriculum studies is an asset.

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 and 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.

Languages

Fluency in English

How to apply

To apply, please send your application letter and UNESCO CV (CV Form to be used) in English to k.human- resource@unesco.org before midnight on 22 May, 2019 (Afghanistan time).

Please note that only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

Benefits and entitlements

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as 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 can be found on the ICSC Website.

Please note that UNESCO is a no-smoking Organization.