Associate National Project Officer ( Education) - Kiribati System Transformation Grant (STG)

Provide programmatic support for the Kiribati Global Partnership for Education System Transformation Grant.

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Application deadline 10 months ago: Wednesday 20 Aug 2025 at 23:59 UTC

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Overview

Provide programmatic support for the Kiribati Global Partnership for Education System Transformation Grant.

You have:

  • Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, or closely related field(s).
  • Less than 2 years of relevant work experience in coordinating or managing education projects, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher development, or education system reforms.
  • Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English and Kiribati.
  • Strong project management and coordination skills, with experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Solid financial management skills, including budgeting, reporting, and monitoring.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for working with government officials, development partners, and local stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with digital education tools or platforms.

Contract

This is a NO-A contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 1 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-A contracts.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Post Number: 4KIED 0001PA Grade: NO-A Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED) Duty Station: Tarawa, Kiribati Job Family: Education Type of contract: Project Appointment Duration of contract: 1 year, renewable Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 20 August 2025 ***Duration of contract: Initially 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.*** **Kiribati is designated as the duty station for this post, subject to clearance by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).** ***Only nationals of Kiribati are eligible to apply for this position.*** UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **BACKGROUND** -------------- The Kiribati System Transformation Grant (STG) is a USD $2.5M program (2024–2028) designed to address critical challenges within the Kiribati education system. These challenges—identified through extensive consultations and outlined in the Partnership Compact—include infrastructure limitations, resource constraints, and high dropout rates, particularly among boys. The program, developed by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), aims to expand access to quality learning and enhance teaching practices through a strategic focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Aligned with Kiribati’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2024-2027) and the ICT in Education Master Plan (2021-2025), the STG takes a phased approach, initially focusing on establishing model schools. These selected schools will serve as testing grounds for ICT infrastructure and teaching innovations, enabling evidence-based learning and systematic adaptation. ICT integration will directly support student learning by expanding access to digital resources, with inclusive digital lesson plans, projectable diagrams and tools for student assessments. The STG programme activities are structured around three interconnected components: - Access: Expanding access to quality learning through ICT infrastructure and inclusive pedagogies. - Teaching Quality: Improving teaching quality and inclusion through access to digital resources and training on using ICTs. - Systems Reform: Strengthening the collection and use of data to support programme implementation, inclusivity, and system improvements. Long Description ---------------- **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States in Apia, the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, the incumbent will provide a range of programmatic support activities to UNESCO, who serves as the Grant Agent of the Kiribati Global Partnership for Education System Transformation Grant (STG). Specifically, the incumbent will undertake the following functions: **1. Programme and Project Coordination** - Support the day-to-day management of the STG programme, ensuring that all activities are implemented according to the project document and work plan. - Assist with the coordination of technical and administrative support staff involved in programme activities. - Ensure the efficient allocation of resources to meet programme needs and targets, identifying any gaps and proposing solutions. - Assist in developing and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress against the programme’s objectives, outcomes and performance indicators. - Ensure the enhancement of key areas such as ICT infrastructure, teacher capacity, and KEMIS development, and timely delivery of outputs and results. - Assist in the preparations of regular technical progress reports for submission to UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and other relevant stakeholders. **2. Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance** - Assist in the provision of technical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs related to ICT infrastructure development, teacher training, and the enhancement of KEMIS. - Support the provision of technical guidance to ensure that programme activities contribute to the development of inclusive, equitable education in line with the ESSP’s focus on quality education and the ICT Master Plan’s objectives for digital transformation. - Support regular quality assurance checks to ensure that programme deliverables are of high quality and meet UNESCO’s standards. **3. Financial and Administrative Management** - Assist the financial management of the programme, ensuring that all expenditures are in line with UNESCO’s financial policies and procedures. - Assist with the preparation of financial reports and ensure timely submission of all necessary documentation for audits. - Monitor the programme’s budget, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated and that financial risks are mitigated. **4. Capacity Building and Training** - Support the capacity-building efforts of the Ministry of Education personnel, teachers, and other stakeholders, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher ICT competency development, and KEMIS usage. - Assist the coordination of training workshops to enhance the skills of teachers and school leaders in digital literacy, ICT-based pedagogy, and data-driven education management. **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](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **EDUCATION** - Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, or closely related field(s). - A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. **WORK EXPERIENCE** - Less than 2 years of relevant work experience in coordinating or managing education projects, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher development, or education system reforms. **SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES** • Strong project management and coordination skills, with experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects. • Solid financial management skills, including budgeting, reporting, and monitoring. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for working with government officials, development partners, and local stakeholders. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with digital education tools or platforms. **LANGUAGES** • Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English and Kiribati. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations in project coordination, capacity building, or education system strengthening is highly desirable. **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 20 503 AUD. For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our [Guide to Staff Benefits.](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/unesco-staff-compensation-booklet_en.pdf) **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.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) 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 an 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. **Footer** ---------- *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](https://www.unesco.org/en/geo-distribution)) 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.* Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

Potential interview questions

Describe your experience with project management and how you ensured all tasks were completed effectively. The interviewer wants to assess your project management skills and effectiveness in coordinating tasks. Highlight specific projects, the management strategies you employed, and the outcomes.
How do you approach financial management in a project? This question gauges your financial management skills and adherence to budget guidelines. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of how you've integrated ICT in an educational setting? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure quality assurance in your project deliverables? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain a time when you had to negotiate with stakeholders. What was the outcome? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you build capacity within a team or organization? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to foster teamwork among diverse groups? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you monitor and evaluate the progress of a project? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: careers.unesco.org