Apply now »

National Project Officer (Education for Health and Wellbeing)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 6ZAED 0022PA

Grade: NO-C

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Johannesburg

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 05/06/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

INSTRUCTIONS

Only nationals of South Africa may apply to this position.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

UNESCO’s Education for Health and Well-being Strategy provides the overarching framework for coordinated action by UNESCO and its partners. The strategy is grounded in a simple but powerful principle: children and adolescents who are healthy, safe, well-nourished, and supported are better able to learn, participate, and thrive. Across the world, countries are increasingly recognizing the strong interlinkages between health and education, as well as the critical role that education systems can play in improving health and well-being outcomes for learners.

In South Africa, UNESCO will work closely with the Department of Basic Education to integrate in education sector programs. Recognizing that the education sector cannot achieve these outcomes in isolation, UNESCO places strong emphasis on multisectoral collaboration, particularly with the Department of Health, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and the Department of Social Development, among other partners. Through this collaborative approach, UNESCO aims to support the creation of safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that enable learners to be healthy, resilient, and able to achieve their full potential.

The National Project Officer will be responsible for the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNESCO’s work on Education for Health and Wellbeing through the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) Programme and the EU-funded project on school-related GBV in South Africa, working closely with the Department of Basic Education.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The position falls under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, guidance from the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer (Education for Health and Well-being). The incumbent will be responsible for the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of UNESCO’s work on Education for Health and Wellbeing in South Africa, working closely with the Department of Basic Education. The incumbent will specifically:

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme and Technical support for the O3 Programme

Identify opportunities for UNESCO to support the Departments of Basic and Higher Education in policy development and programming on Education for Health and Well Being within the framework of the UNESCO Strategy on Health and Well Being, South African national policies, and strategies, and the UNAIDS division of labour.
Lead the implementation of the South Africa component of the O3 program to support improved education, gender, and health outcomes for all learners.
Provide oversight on the EU-funded School-Related GBV project being implemented in four (4) provinces.
Conduct advocacy with policymakers (ministers; parliamentarians, councillors) religious, traditional and community leaders to strengthen implementation of education for health and well-being
Support South Africa to operationalize and accelerate progress on the ESA Ministerial Commitment, AU EHW Strategy, and the Education Plus Initiative and capitalise on South Africa’s role as a champion on these two initiatives.

Long Description

Scale up and strengthen the delivery of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

Support the capacity building of curriculum developers, teachers, and teacher educators, including teachers of learners with disabilities to deliver gender and social norms transformative CSE and school violence prevention, including through ICT based solutions.
Lead the development and dissemination of good quality teaching and learning digital and non-digital resources on gender and social norms transformative CSE and school violence prevention.
Grow and strengthen the CSE Community of Practice for teachers and other CSE practitioners in South Africa.
Lead the establishment of CSE repository in South Africa.

Long Description

Promote the establishment of safer, healthier, and inclusive schools and community environments

Support DBE in the development, review and implementation of education policies, and interventions on school health and school violence.
Build school community understanding of and support for gender and social norms transformative-CSE, SRHR and school violence prevention through the community-based interventions.
Work with DBE and CSOs to sensitize School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and School Management Teams (SMTs) and Representative Council of Learners (RCLs) on gender and social norms transformative CSE, SRHR and school violence prevention.

Long Description

Strengthen program implementation of the program through evidence generated from monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning

Commission research on CSE and school violence to deepen evidence and support data driven and evidence -based decision making at legislative, policy and planning level.
Strengthen the capacity of the education sector to report and use generated data for planning and decision-making.

Long Description

Planning, budgeting, M&E and reporting

Support strategic planning and budgeting for UNESCO engagement in HIV and SRHR programming in South Africa, in line with UNESCO’s commitments as a UNAIDS Cosponsor and in partnership with the DBE.
Contribute to timely programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting for the O3 Programme and the SRGBV project.
Ensure timely narrative and financial reporting on elements from the national O3 Programme and budget portfolio falling under the incumbent's responsibility, both within UNESCO and to external donors as appropriate.
Plan, commission and supervise various research pieces to inform the work on Education for Health and Well-being in South Africa.

Representation and partner relations

Represent UNESCO in appropriate coordination forums, such as the UN Joint Teams on HIV and AIDS, interagency meetings, and thematic meetings.
Develop and maintain partner relations with the education sector, the UNESCO National Commission, national bodies, and development partners, including civil society organizations. Provide technical guidance and guidelines for further development of their capacities and activities.
Engage with local organisations, including the civil society in support.

Resource mobilization

Participate in resource mobilization efforts including proposal development from UNESCO and partners and provide technical assistance to the Department of Basic Education in accessing funding for the education sector response to HIV, gender-based violence and other health issues.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

Communication (C)
Accountability (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
Building partnerships (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
Strategic thinking (M)
Making quality decisions (M)
Managing performance (M)
Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, public health or a relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least four (4) years of relevant work experience, in areas related to sexual and reproductive health and education.
Experience in curriculum development and learning assessment.
Experience in monitoring and evaluation.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

A track record in resource mobilization and ability to manage budgets and report on implementation.
Good understanding of the country, of the development work and of the education sector.
Extensive knowledge, and high level of technical writing skills on HIV prevention, sexuality education and school related gender-based violence
Ability to multitask, prioritize and deliver to deadline, as well as work under pressure.
Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy
Excellent networking and high level representational and partnership building skills, involving a wide range of partners (including relevant Ministries, UNAIDS Co-sponsors, donors and civil society
Excellent strategic and analytical skills
Excellent communication skills

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English
Fluency in at least one of the local languages.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 1 160 961 ZAR.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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 to 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.
lndividuals 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.
Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Apply now »