National Project Officer (Non-formal TVET)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 4AFED0022PA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

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) : 16-JUL-2021

 

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

 

Only nationals of Afghanistan should apply to this post.

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office in Kabul has been providing technical assistance to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan including Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) as well as Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVET-A) in the areas of system building, policy and planning, curriculum reform (both formal and non-formal education), TVET, and improved access to literacy.

 

With the financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UNESCO Office in Kabul started in July 2020 a five-year project to support the development of non-formal TVET in Afghanistan by scaling up the Afghan-Korea Vocational Training Institute (AKVTI) in Kabul, established in 2004, into a National Centre of Excellence for TVET in Afghanistan. This will enable the centre to expand its function from simply the delivery of TVET programmes to a centre for capacity development and a model of best practice for other vocational training centers across Afghanistan.  

 

The project will ultimately contribute to the economic development of Afghanistan through the strengthening of capacities for the provision of quality TVET. The major outcomes of the project are upgrading AKVTI as a sustainable National Centre of Excellence for TVET, enhancing capacity to promote and deliver quality non-formal TVET programmes and facilitating efficient management of non-formal TVET provision and strengthening linkage between non-formal TVET and labour market.

 

The inception of the project has been ongoing over the recent few months and is currently in its final stage. In the inception phase, needs assessments of capacity development, resources and equipment at AKVTI were conducted. Based on the findings and recommendations, the project operational plan and monitoring and evaluation plan are being reviewed and revised to guide project implementation as the next step.
 

Long Description

Under the overall authority of the Director of the Kabul Office and Representative of UNESCO to Afghanistan, the direct supervision from the Head of the Education Unit, and the day-to-day guidance from the Project Officer (Education), the incumbent will assist in the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of the above-mentioned project activities in Afghanistan. This includes the following functions, but not limited to:

 

Project planning

 

• In collaboration with the Project Officer (Education), ensure the development of detailed work and operationalization plans for each of the streams of work, including regularly reviewing and refining project activities and adjusting financial plans as necessary, in line with the overall project priorities; and
• Support the effective operations including logistical and financial management of delivery of activities at AKVTI, MoLSA and TVET-A.

 

 

Project implementation

 

• Provide necessary technical input and policy advice to project areas relating to the improvement of AKVTI into a national centre of excellence for TVET and linkage of non-formal TVET with formal TVET, advocating a smooth transition of AKVTI from the purview of MoLSA to the purview of TVET-A based on the Presidential decree;
• Keep abreast of TVET development in Afghanistan and in the region and identify best practices to advise AKVTI, MoLSA and TVET-A, and relevant national stakeholders on the effective implementation of the project;
• Assist in management and coordination of project activities by developing activity concept notes, proposals, drafting terms of reference/requests for proposals for procurement of services, managing contracts and budgets in line with UNESCO’s rules and regulations;
• Support in organizing events such as seminars, conferences, training workshops, and consultation meetings and liaising with the donor, government counterparts and development partners;
• Contribute to the development, roll-out and management of the Implementation Partners Agreements (IPAs) with the government entities for proper implementation of on-budget activities; and
• Maintain regular and good relationship with national stakeholders in the area of TVET and take active participation in relevant coordination platforms, committees and working groups relating to TVET and support in consolidating feedback from the Education Unit to provide to those coordination platforms, committees and working groups.

Long Description

Project monitoring, evaluation and reporting

 

• Contribute to the design and implementation of a risk matrix for the project, and support in updating regularly the risk matrix for the successful delivery of the project;
• Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the work of consultants and contractors and the project activities on a regular basis, including making use of a mechanism to keep track of progress, challenges and lessons learnt;
• Liaise with the project supported National Technical Assistants (NTA) in the government to attend to their needs, monitor their work progress and guide them for proper project implementation;
• Provide assistance in increasing the visibility of the project through preparing advocacy materials including web articles and social media posts; and
• Support in preparing narrative reports to the donor, and for internal use, particularly with a view to making strategic decisions and adding technical value and input to project activities.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies or a related field. 

 

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of relevant professional work experience in education.
• Atleast one year of relevant work experience in the TVET sector.

 

....

Skills and competencies 

• Excellent understanding of development partners’ expectations and trends in the TVET 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; 
• Good 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, to manage heavy workloads and to 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. 

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English.
• Good knowledge of one of the national languages of Afghanistan (Pashto and/or Dari).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education 

• Advanced university degree (PhD) in education, social sciences, development studies or a related field.

 

Work Experience

• At least two years of relevant work experience with the Government entities relating to the TVET sector;
• Relevant work experience in dealing with donors and mobilizing resources; and
• Relevant work experience in the UN or international organizations.

 

Skills and competencies 

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s education conventions and global priorities.

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.

 

For more information in benefits and entitlements, please consult ICSC website.

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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