Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer (ED)_SC 8/1_BAG-24-ED-0008_Baghdad

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Baghdad

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff/ Service Contract

Level : SB 4: SC 8/1

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 10-Dec-2024

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

Organizational Context

UNESCO Office in Iraq, in collaboration with Ministry of Education (MOE) and UNICEF and with funding from EU, is implementing programme “Equitable Access to Quality General Education in Iraq: Improving Teaching and Learning and Education Management (ITALEEM)”. The overall objective of ITALEEM is to support all learners in Iraq, including the most disadvantaged ones, are able to access and complete high-quality, inclusive, and gender-responsive teaching and learning in General Education.
The programme aims at three specific objectives which, taken together, strengthen institutional capacity, school management and civil society engagement in the education sector, in pursuit of the overall objective:
i. To strengthen an evidenced-based, gender-responsive, policy, planning, and management environment with quality assurance mechanisms and institutional and professional capacities at national, governorate, and school levels, that enables all children and adolescents – especially those from disadvantaged groups such as IDPs, returnees, refugees, and children with disabilities—to access and complete quality basic education. 
ii. To improve access to, and enhance the quality of, gender-responsive, inclusive, and climate-resilient education at the school level for all children, particularly the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, raising achievement and completion.
iii. To enhance the capacity of CSOs, parents, local communities, teacher organizations, and private sector organizations to actively engage in policy formulation and interventions in such a way that all children and adolescents – especially those from disadvantaged groups – access and complete quality education.
Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Iraq Office, overall supervision of the Chief of Education Unit and day-to-day guidance from the Programme Manager ITALEEM, the Project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer will be responsible for designing and implementing the MEL framework for ITALEEM Programme, ensuring that all activities are monitored, evaluated, and reported effectively. The MEL Officer will work closely with programme teams, including UNICEF MEL officer, to collect and analyze data, generate insights, and facilitate learning to improve programme outcomes. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer will perform the following duties and responsibilities: 

1. Monitoring and Evaluation
•    Develop and implement ITALEEM programme MEL plan, including indicators, data collection methods, and timelines.
•    Conduct regular field visits to monitor programme activities and verify data.
•    Collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
•    Prepare and present MEL reports, highlighting key findings and recommendations.

2. Learning and Knowledge Management
•    Facilitate learning sessions and workshops to share MEL findings with programme teams and stakeholders.
•    Document and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
•    Maintain a database of MEL data and ensure its accessibility for project teams.

3. Capacity Building
•    Train programme staff and partners on MEL concepts, tools, and processes.
•    Provide ongoing support and mentorship to enhance MEL capacity within the programme team and partners.
4. Collaboration and Coordination
•    Work closely with programme manager, component leads, partners, and stakeholders to ensure MEL activities are integrated into project management and implementation.
•    Participate in project meetings and contribute to strategic discussions.
 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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Required Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in project planning and management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.

Years of Experience

•  Minimum of 5 years of experience in MEL roles, preferably in the education sector in a development or humanitarian context.
•  Proven experience in designing and implementing MEL frameworks and tools.
 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English Language (written and spoken).

Skills and competencies

•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•  Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, Stata) and data visualization tools.
•  Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
•  Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
•  In-depth knowledge of MEL methodologies and best practices.
•  Proficiency in designing and implementing MEL frameworks and tools.
•  Strong understanding of data collection, analysis, and reporting techniques.

•  Ability to analyze complex data sets and generate actionable insights.
•  Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•  Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
•  Strong report-writing skills with attention to detail.
•  Ability to identify challenges and propose effective solutions.

•  Experience in project planning, implementation, and monitoring.

•  Ability to build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.

•  Ability to work in diverse cultural contexts

Desirable Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

Advanced University Degree (Master's or Equivalent) in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field is desirable.

Experience

•  Previous experience in a similar role with I-NGOs and, or UN entity.

Languages

• Knowledge of the other UNESCO official languages (French, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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