Senior Project officer - Education for Health and Wellbeing
OVERVIEW
Post Number : ED/PA 238
Grade : P-4
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 03-MAY-2024
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: initially 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
A. Context
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General, Education (ADG/ED), guidance from the Director of the Division for Peace and Sustainable Development, and direct supervision of the Chief of Section for Health and Education (ai.), the incumbent is responsible for ensuring technical expertise on key thematic areas of work, notably on school health, safe and inclusive learning environments and mental health and psychosocial support. S/he provides strategic and technical leadership, programme development and management, preparation of guidelines and evidence, engagement with external stakeholders and management of a small team, as part of overall efforts led by the Section.
Guided by the UNESCO Strategy on Education for Health and Well-being, the postholder will be responsible for delivering activities under Strategic Outcomes 1 and 3 (SO1, SO3), in close coordination and complementarity with colleagues responsible for delivering on Strategic Outcome 2 on comprehensive sexuality education. The incumbent is also responsible for cross-cutting programming planning, monitoring, resource mobilisation and external representation of UNESCO in varied fora. The role includes supervision of a small team. Other tasks as may be assigned by the Chief of the Section and the Director of the Division, including preparation of regular reports, briefings and other information materials as may be necessary.
B. Main duties and responsibilities
Working closely within the Section and leading a small team, the post-holder will be responsible for strategic development and implementation of activities in the area of school health and well-being, specifically: strengthening school health, ending violence in and through education, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), with attention to UNESCO’s priority areas of Africa and gender equality.
Long Description
The main responsibilities include:
1. Lead technical, research and writing expertise to the work on education for health and well-being: Lead the development and publication of new resources and research in key thematic areas, and lead development of policy and programme guidance or technical briefs based on latest evidence and good practice to enhance Member State capacity to deliver effective programmes on education for health and well-being with a focus on specific thematic areas (school health, ending violence in and through education, MHPSS). Ensure high quality publications or technical presentations that advance the global agenda on the key thematic areas of responsibility, contributing to global and regional debates. Provide specialized expertise, interpretation, assessment and communication to Field Offices, ED Institutes, Ministries, peers and other stakeholders.
2. Lead programme design, management and support to programme implementation: Lead on project design, workplanning, budgetting and monitoring as reflected in annual workplans. Recommend programme and project approaches and plans, and develop, propose and advocate for inclusion of themes in UNESCO Education plans. Develop projects, programme and funding proposals, oversee agreements and contracts as well as define UNESCO’s involvement and mobilize relevant resources, at global level. This work will be conducted within the framework of the C/5 organisational workplan and budget, the UNESCO Strategy on Education for Health and Well-being, and country/regional priorities in close coordination with UNESCO regional bureaux and field offices, and including UNESCO Regional Advisors on Health and Education. Provide specialized expertise and technical support to Field Offices, ED Institutes, Ministries, peers and other stakeholders. Support Section efforts to maintain and expand extrabudgetary funding, and human resources through opportunities such as secondments, JPOs and sponsored/paid trainees.
3. Provide policy advice: Initiate policy development and creation, in accordance with priority areas. Represent UNESCO at international fora on areas of specialism, and provide specialized advice to internal and external colleagues, peers and stakeholders to influence international policy recommendations at the intersection of education, health, inclusion and social protection. Advocate UNESCO’s position/involvement and establish relevant guidelines as part of the provision of technical support. Advise peers, colleagues, partners and governments on policy formulation, programmes and projects and developments and best practices and emerging trends in areas of assignment.
4. Ensure Partnerships, Networking, and Knowledge Management: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with a range of external partners on key thematic issues, and internal collaboration within and across UNESCO Divisions and Sectors. Lead, or co-lead, international partnerships and technical working groups to advance collaboration and effective production of evidence or programme guidance. Organize consultations and events to enhance the visibility of UNESCO technical and policy guidance, and ensure regular contributions and updates to global knowledge systems. Contribute to documentation and expansion of UNESCO projects and increase visibility, resources and partnerships for their effective implementation.
5. Leadership and supervision: Lead on development of workplan, budget and monitoring for the colleagues working on school health, safe learning environment (ending violence in and through education) and mental health. Contribute to coordination and monitoring of work across the Section for Health and Education. Lead on recruitment and supervision of key staff, interns and consultants.
6. Additional activities that may be required: Other tasks as may be assigned by the Chief of the Section and the Director of the Division, including analysis and feedback on internal or external documents, preparation of regular reports, briefings and other materials as may be necessary, act as interim for the Chief and represent the Section/Organisation when required, and collaborate with colleagues in cross-section activities.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Advanced university degree (equivalent to Masters) in education, public health, international development, social sciences, or related field
Work Experience
• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in the coordination of development programmes or project management in the area of Education and/or Health, policy/training, of which preferably 3 years are acquired at the international level and including an understanding of school health and its sub-themes;
• Experience in the coordination of multidisciplinary or multi-partner programmes/projects.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, result-oriented approach, and ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks, and familiarity with the use of theory of change and results framework;
• Demonstrated ability to provide intellectual expertise on trends in global education and health;
Skills and competencies
• Good knowledge and understanding of the international development agenda, in particular in the field of health and education;
• Excellent networking and partnership building skills;
• Excellent drafting skills and proven experience of producing technical reports;
• Strong communication and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy;
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and deliver to deadline, as well as work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently as well as in team environments;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and team cooperation.
Languages
• Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience within the UN system, multilateral agencies or international corporations.
• Ressource mobilization skills.
• Working knowledge of French or other UNESCO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian).
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 126, 118 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
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.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.