OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Unit for Strategic Planning, Monitoring, Institutes and Field Coordination (ED/EO/SPM), within the Executive Office of the Education Sector, is responsible for supporting and coordinating strategic planning, fund-raising and partnerships, and implementation of Major Programme I; manages the Education Sector’s contribution to the Governing Bodies of UNESCO and donor relations;  coordinates the programme across Education sector entities (Headquarters, Field offices, Category 1 Institutes) for increased programmatic coherence and impact.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the guidance of the Chief of the Executive Office (C/ED/EO) and the direct supervision of the Chief of Unit ED/EO/SPM, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following tasks:

Long Description

•    Coordinate and ensure efficient and timely preparation of draft briefings and key messages for senior management on all education-related matters, in English and in French; liaise with Education colleagues at Headquarters, field offices and institutes to collect relevant information and draft the contribution of the Sector; ensure the coordination with the Sector Priority Africa and External Relations (PAX) on education-related briefings and follow-up questions.

•    Provide support to organize an updated database on key education initiatives, foster constructive communication with Education Sector staff and PAX and facilitate knowledge sharing.

•    Contribute to the Education Sector programme management cycle by assisting in the coordination and quality review of C/5 workplans, ensuring coherence with the Education strategy, and assist in the preparation of programme monitoring reports of the Sector, providing support to the coordination and quality assurance of inputs.

•    Assist in the implementation of the revised results framework of the Education Sector, notably in the coordination of the collection of the monitoring information; identify and share feedback to provide support for the improvement of the methodology.

•    Provide backstopping, support and guidance to Headquarters and Field offices and Category 1 institutes’ colleagues on the above, and contribute to anticipate key issues and identify pragmatic solutions.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in education, international relations, social sciences or related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in coordination in the field of education, preferably at the international level.
• Proven experience in collecting, analysing information and drafting key messages and briefings in the field of education.
• Proven experience in planning, monitoring and reporting in the field of education.

Skills and competencies 

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and coordination skills (oral and written).
• Proven ability to draft clearly and concisely for a diverse range of audience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Understanding of key education issues and results-based management.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent IT skills, including office tools (Excel, Word, Powerpoint).

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and competencies 

•    Familiarity with the work and general functioning of international organizations and/or the United Nations.

•    Knowledge of one of the other UN official languages would be an asset.