Senior Programme Assistant

Contract

This is a SC-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SC-3 contracts.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station: Kabul Classification of duty station: \[\[filter12\]\] Standard Duration of Assignement : \[\[filter13\]\] Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Level : Level 3 Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31-JUL-2024 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Afghanistan faced a serious learning crisis with one of the highest levels of learning poverty in the world. 93 percent of Afghan children aged 10 years old were unable to read and understand a simple text. Results from the 2017 Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) Service Delivery Survey by the World Bank also show that, despite remarkable expansion of schooling in the country over the past decades, Afghan students were not learning effectively. After spending 4 years in primary school, only two-thirds of Afghan students have fully mastered the Grade 1 Language curriculum and less than half of them mastered the Grade 1 Mathematics curriculum (World Bank, 2018). While learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had negative impacts on students’ learning outcomes across the world, including Afghanistan, both schooling and learning deprivations are likely to be exacerbated due to the current country context. UNESCO strives to promote education in Afghanistan as a fundamental human right while aiming to provide access to quality, relevant and inclusive education for all. UNESCO has over the years been implementing education programmes and projects in Afghanistan. In alignment with UNESCO’s approved C/4 and C/5 and related country frameworks such as the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul Office seeks to accelerate the implementation of education programmes and projects in response to the fast-changing operating contexts. In addition to its leading role in sector-wide coordination and strategic planning while ensuring learning continuity through community-based programmes and alternative learning modalities in Afghanistan, the Office aims to enhance the knowledge base and knowledge sharing on several critical areas of the country’s education sector, including learning outcomes, teacher content knowledge and pedagogical skills. With support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, UNESCO Kabul is implementing alternative learning projects to ensure learning continuity among disadvantaged children and young people. Additionally, within the framework of the Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant provided by the Global Partnership to UNICEF Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul is leading its component. This includes measuring the academic achievement of Grade 3 students in Afghanistan, conducting an in-depth research study on teaching and learning practices, and disseminating key findings to relevant stakeholders. Long Description ---------------- **Main duties and responsibilities:** Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Kabul, the overall supervision of the Head of Education Unit, and the immediate supervision of the Inclusion, Quality of Education and Research (IQR) Project Officer/Team Lead, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities: 1. Under the leadership of the IQR Team Lead, ensure the effective implementation of IQR Team’s projects, with a focus on alternative learning and CapED programme, in compliance with the rules and regulations of UNESCO; 2. Support in planning and strategizing the implementation of activities related to alternative learning and under the CapED programme. This includes drafting concept notes, TORs and work plans, liaising with service providers and implementing partners; 3. Monitor the implementation of alternative learning and CapED activities by contractors and implementing partners, and promptly inform the Management of any significant risks and propose risk mitigation measures; Long Description ---------------- 4. Provide overall administrative support to the IQR Team. This includes coordinating internal and external meetings, managing the team’s filing systems for easy access and retrieval of documents, and ensuring the quality and adequacy of deliverables submitted by all contractors and implementing partners 5. Support the IQR Team Lead in consolidating relevant data and information to prepare project reports, including progress and financial reports. Ensure reports comply with donor requirements and organizational standards. 6. Represent the IQR Team, as required, at relevant meetings, presenting the team's updates and initiatives; 7. Undertake any other tasks as deemed relevant by the IQR Team Lead and/or UNESCO Kabul senior management. Long Description ---------------- **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **Education:** First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration or a related field. **Experience:** - Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in providing support for the management and implementation of programmes and/or projects, preferably related to education; - Demonstrated ability to engage and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including other UN organisations, national and international NGOs and local communities. **Skills and Competencies:** - Familiarity with the administrative procedures of large organizations; - Good understanding of the education sector in Afghanistan; - Strong communication skills and ability to function well in a multi-cultural team and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of partners; - Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work; - Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills; - High level of personal and professional integrity; - Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools; - Fluency (spoken and written) in English and Dari and/or Pashto. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- - **Education:** Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Administration or a related field. **Work experience:** - Experience working with the UN or international organizations. **Skills and Competencies:** - Familiarity with the administrative procedures of UNESCO **BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS** ----------------------------- **Rename the “BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS****”** **title to “APPLICATION PROCESS****”****, and use additional sections if required to add other relevant information.** **Otherwise you can delete this section.** **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 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. **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.