Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Kabul
Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]
Standard Duration of Assignment : [[filter13]]
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-Apr-2024
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
UNESCO has over the years been implementing education programmes and projects in Afghanistan.
In alignment with UNESCO’s approved C/4 and C/5 and related country framework such as the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan and the Afghanistan Education Sector Support Plan, UNESCO Kabul Office seeks to ensure smooth implementation of the planned education programme and project activities in response to the evolving operating contexts and to maximize resource mobilization through engagement with potential donors and stakeholders and support to the development/revisions of concept notes and proposals.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Office in Kabul and immediate supervision of the Head of Education Unit of UNESCO Office in Kabul, a consultant will contribute to coordinating and supporting the smooth implementation of the planned education programme and project activities. The consultant is also responsible for maximizing resource mobilization, particularly through engagement with potential donors and stakeholders and development/revisions of concept notes and proposals, based on the intermediate country strategy of UNESCO Kabul Office. Specifically, the consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:
Long Description
- Develop and finalize a comprehensive project operational manual for the smooth implementation of the Youth and Adult Literacy and Basic Education programme by the local implementing partners. The project operational manual, in addition to providing a general guideline on each stage of project implementation, should include an updated set of all the required forms, templates, and terms of reference to facilitate and guide the local implementing partners’ work in the recruitment and training of project personnel, identification of the villages for the establishment of community-based literacy classes and selection of learners, submission of timely and quality project implementation reports, and conducting financial audits and responsible phase-out of the projects;
- Provide technical guidance and facilitate the procurement process, in close coordination with the team in UNESCO Office in Kabul and the Headquarters, to engage suitable service providers and/or implementing partners for the conducting of education research and publications in identified areas, the development of the database and dashboard, the sub-national level implementation and monitoring of the Afghanistan Education Sector Support Plan 2024-2025;
- Support the Head of Education Unit in the smooth implementation of the planned education programme and project activities relating to higher education, general education, and alternative learning pathways through close coordination with the relevant project team members. The consultant engages himself/herself in the operation of the project teams by providing guidance on designing, implementing, quality-assuring, monitoring and reporting the activities in line with the project work plans;
- Follow up on the resource mobilization efforts of UNESCO Office in Kabul by developing and revising concept notes and proposals with relevant visuals accompanying the narratives tailor-made for addressing the relevant potential donors and stakeholders to expand existing or to create new education programmes and projects;
- Coordinate closely with the communications and advocacy colleagues in UNESCO Office in Kabul to provide technical guidance in strengthening the visibility of education programmes and projects of the office to external stakeholders; and
- Identify areas across the education project teams to build synergies across project activities and recommend streamlined implementation modalities to achieve common goals.
In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible
Long Description
WORK MODALITIES
The contract is expected to start in late April 2024 for about four months. The consultant is expected to work remotely and undertake (a) necessary mission(s) to Kabul, Afghanistan, upon agreement between UNESCO and the consultant in advance. For any mission(s), UNESCO will reimburse the necessary daily subsistence allowance, the most economical, direct round-trip flight tickets between the country of residence and Kabul, Afghanistan, and visa fees, in line with UNESCO’s administrative and human resources rules and regulations. The consultant is provided with the necessary equipment and office space when undertaking (a) mission(s) in Kabul, Afghanistan.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration will be based on the submission and validation of the following deliverables. All submitted reports/materials should be drafted in English. The fee is payable in installments upon certification by UNESCO of satisfactory performance by the consultant for the work corresponding to each payment. All payments shall be made by bank transfer.
Short Description
DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES
The consultant is required to submit the following deliverables in editable format by the due dates below.
- First progress report on the work completed by the consultant (including the submission of relevant documentation showing the assignments undertaken) (By the end of the first full month).
- Second progress report on the work completed by the consultant (including the submission of relevant documentation showing the assignments undertaken) (By the end of the second full month).
- Third progress report on the work completed by the consultant (including the submission of relevant documentation showing the assignments undertaken) (By the end of the third full month).
- Final report on the work completed by the consultant (including the submission of relevant documentation showing the assignments undertaken) (By the end of the fourth full month).
- Documentation relating to mission(s), if any (14 days after each mission, if applicable).
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, business administration, social sciences, development studies or related area.
Work experience
- At least ten years of relevant work experience in education programme implementation; and
- A sound understanding of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach in programming.
Languages
- Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Relevant work experience in resource mobilization;
- Relevant work experience in the UN; and
- Previous work experience in crisis-affected contexts, particularly Afghanistan.
Skills/Competencies
- Knowledge of UNESCO’s mission and action in the position’s field.
Languages
- Knowledge of the national languages of Afghanistan (Dari and/or Pashto).
Skills/Competencies
- Excellent understanding of development partners’ expectations and trends in the education sector;
- Excellent project management skills, including results-based management, financial management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
- Strong sensitivity and adaptability in post-conflict countries and diversity (culture, gender, religion, race, and nationality);
- Integrity, reliability, and sense of commitment in the execution of duties;
- Excellent coordination and organizational skills;
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to draft clearly and concisely;
- Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment;
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships;
- Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads, and meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work; and
- Strong IT skills, including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should click “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document). Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:
- Up-to-date CV with contact details of at least 3 references;
- Brief technical proposal on approach/methodology to carrying out the assignment including available time period(s) if in-person mission(s) to Kabul, Afghanistan is/are needed (maximum 2 pages); and
- Proposed fee (including monthly rate and daily rate).
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
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