Afghanistan: Project Officer ( Adult Literacy and Non Formal Education)

Background and Context

UNESCO Office in Kabul has been supporting the Ministry of Education through the Enhancement of Literacy (ELA) programme since 2008. ELA programme began as a multi-dimensional project with two distinct kinds of activities: first, provision of literacy, and second, building capacity within the MoE’s Literacy Department to plan, manage and implement literacy programmes. ELA phases 1 and 2 were designed as a six-year project, launched in 2008 with implementation starting in 2009. It aimed to deliver literacy classes to over 600,000 youth and adult (aged 15 years and above) by April 2013, 60% of whom were to be female. The first and second phases of ELA aimed at putting processes and systems in place for gradual extension of the programme across the country. The third phase of ELA embarked with the aim to cover all the 34 provinces and therefore expanding delivery of literacy classes to an additional 600,000 youths and adults for 3 years, by April 2018.

In June 2018, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) approved a programme titled “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s future with a budget of $20 million USD awarded to UNESCO Kabul Office.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-UIL, in particular, given UIL’s role in supporting key activities within adult literacy and non-formal education in the context of lifelong learning

Overview of the Post functions

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Office in Kabul and immediate supervision of the Chief of Education Unit of the UNESCO Office in Kabul and in close collaboration with the section for Literacy and Non-formal education section at HQ, the incumbent will contribute to coordinate and implement activities of education programmes and projects in Afghanistan. S/He shall directly collaborate to overall planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and documentation of the programme. Specifically, s/he will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

1. Programme Planning and Management :

· Ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme implementation, delivery and accomplishment on programme goals an objective from the operational aspect.

· Draft donor progress/annual reports and to draft project proposal for potential donors.

· Ensure quality and timely delivery of the youth and adult basic education curriculum development, development of teaching/learning materials and learning achievement assessment tools by coordinating technical work of national technical staff and facilitating activities of the international technical experts in close consultation with relevant technical institutes (e.g. UIL), government counterparts and field operation of the Youth and adult literacy component of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) funded project “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s Future”, including the management of the project team.

2. Networking and partnership building: -

· Identify potential local partners within the NGOS, Civil Societies and private sector for participation in youth and adult literacy sub sector planning and execution of programme activities.

· Expand and strengthen partnerships with the Ministry of Education, other line Ministries, Institutes, Universities and NGOs for implementation of “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s Future” programme.

3. Liaison with UNESCO HQ, Regional and Field Offices and Specialized Institutes: -

· Promote in-house cooperation across UNESCO Education Sector and collaborate with UNESCO Headquarters, UNESCO Regional for Asia Pacific, UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning, as well as with other project partners, for effective coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of “Better Education Systems for Afghanistan’s Future” programme.

4.Expected Results: -

· Implement all activities outlined in the project document, specifically under Adult learning and education component, within the provided timeline.

· Prepare briefs as necessary on the project for supporting donor(s) and for internal use, based on country programme support and regional reports.

· To consolidate the information from adult literacy team and contribute in drafting donor progress reports, annual reports, and terminal report.

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, International Development, social sciences, development studies or related area.

· A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

· Minimum 4 years of professional experience in managing complex multi donor education programmes/projects of which 2 years acquired at the international level.

· Work experience in leading multicultural teams.

· Experience in working in conflict or post conflict /humanitarian context is an added advantage.

Skills and competencies

· Primary expertise in coordinating of highly technical cooperation.

· Proven expertise in institutional capacity building and system strengthening for government ministries, preferably in conflict /post conflict and reconstruction/recovery contexts.

· Good understanding of development partners’ expectations and trends in education sector.

· Proven expertise in project design, planning, management and reporting, and donor communication.

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

· Strong sensitivity and adaptability in post conflict countries and diversity (cultural, gender, religion, race and nationality)

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

· Excellent strategic and analytical skills.

· Excellent computer and other IT skills.

Assessment

An assessment exercise may be used in the evaluation of candidates

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 21 August 2019 (Kabul 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