Associate Project Officer

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Since its inception, UNESCO has granted a priority to literacy as the right and a foundation for further learning, well-being and better livelihoods, as well as a driver for sustainable development. It plays a leading role in promoting literacy and literate environments, through normative work, policy advice, and capacity development, technical support for operational activities, advocacy, partnerships development and knowledge management. In doing so, it adopts a holistic, rights-based, and humanistic approach to literacy, recognizing literacy as a continuum of proficiency acquired across the lifespan through formal, non- formal and informal learning.

Currently, UNESCO’s work is centered on youth and adult literacy guided by the UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020-2025) and its action plan. The Global Alliance for Literacy within the Framework of Lifelong Learning (GAL) serves as a major implementation platform, focusing on 30 countries which face greater literacy challenges. The Strategy specifies its action in four strategic priority areas, as well as advancing the literacy agenda through advocacy and partnerships. The four strategic priority areas are: 1) supporting Member States in developing national literacy policies and strategies; 2) addressing the learning needs of disadvantaged groups, particularly women and girls; 3) leveraging digital technologies to expand access and improve learning outcomes; and 4) strategic priority area 4: Monitoring progress and assessing literacy skills and programmes.

In this context, the Section of Youth, Literacy, and Skills Development at UNESCO Headquarters manages the UNESCO international literacy prizes. Through the prizes, UNESCO, since 1967, has rewarded over 500 projects and programmes of excellence and innovation undertaken by governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world. Currently there are two UNESCO international Literacy Prizes: the King Sejong Literacy Prize and the Confucius Prize for Literacy. The award ceremony is organized annually in conjunction with the celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD, September 8).

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, overall guidance of the Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems (ED/PLS), and the immediate supervision of the Chief of Section for Youth, Literacy and Skills Development (ED/PLS/YLS), the incumbent will be in charge of the daily administration and management of the International Literacy Prizes, namely the King Sejong Literacy Prize and the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy, as well as out-reach, advocacy, monitoring Prize activities and their impact, the effective use of resources, and knowledge management related to the Prizes.

Long Description

Specifically, the associate project officer will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

•  Support the Section in managing all technical and administrative aspects of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes in compliance with the Revised Overall Strategy for UNESCO Prizes and its Constituent Criteria (191 EX/Decision 12) and guided by the UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020-2025). S/he will plan, implement and monitor prize-related activities, including the management of the cycle of a call for applications/nominations, the organization of a meeting of International Jury, award ceremonies, and a study tour, as well as the preparation of work plans, budget, and periodic reports.
•  Support communication, advocacy and outreach for the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes, including communicating with applicants, nominating entities, Prize winners, and Jury members, and preparing a wide variety of communication, promotional and advocacy materials in consultation with the Education Communication Team (e.g. website texts, messages, press release and brochures) as well as memos, letters, and speeches to raise visibility of the Prizes and of the effective literacy practices.
• Technical support to the Section in enhancing a global knowledge base regarding effective literacy practices based on the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes through, for instance, impact evaluation of the prizes, production of analytical papers, and enhancement of a knowledge base, such as developing databases on effective literacy practices and pedagogies in support of UNESCO’s work in literacy.
• Support the Section in ensuring the effective use of digital technology in the prize management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
•  Perform any other tasks as deemed necessary by the Section, including but not limited to the ones related to the celebrations of International Literacy Day (8 September).

Long Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, social sciences, or other  related areas.

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of relevant professional experiences, notably management of prizes and awards, advocacy, and/or partnerships in the above-mentioned areas.

Skills/Competencies

• Good knowledge and understandings of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Education 2030 Agenda.
• Good knowledge of literacy, education, and lifelong learning.
• Good knowledge of and experience in the use of digital technology.
• Good analytical and knowledge management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French, and good knowledge in the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills/Competencies 

• Sense of creativity.
• Technological Awareness.
• Ability to build partnerships.
• Knowledge of the UN system and experience in the work of UN funds, programmes and specialized agencies.

Languages

• Knowledge of the other UNESCO official languages, in particular Arabic and Spanish.