Project Officer (Education)
OVERVIEW
Post Number : ED/PA 252
Grade : P-3
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) : 27-JUN-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Within the Division of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems (ED/PLS), the Section of Education Policy (EDP) contributes to driving education transformation through four dimensions: (a) legal and normative, (b) policy review and planning, (c) data and information management, and (d) assessment and alignment for learning, these across all levels of education starting from early childhood. As such, EDP’s work aims to promote and advance the right to education, evidence-based policies and practices, sound governance and management, accountability and reforms for the continuous improvement of system performance and student learning outcomes. This includes support to design, review and scale-up of national efforts and initiatives for better alignment of and transformation in legal and regulatory frameworks, policies and planning, management and governance systems, data and accountability systems, learning pathways, quality assurance and learning assessment systems, including in emergency contexts.
Long Description
Within the data and information management work strand, EDP’s key programmatic activities include the following:
- Development of tools and guidelines for strengthening data and information management systems in education (EMIS).
- Fostering international dialogue on and reinforcement of international standards and tools on national education sector management, governance, data management and M&E systems.
- Reinforcement of the coherence of UNESCO’s interventions on sector management, governance, data management and M&E.
- Provision of technical backstopping services to UNESCO’s network and technical assistance to Member States for efficient transformation of Education Management Information Systems.
The cross-cutting nature of data systems for evidence-based decision-making positions EDP as a key enabler of ensuring coherence across UNESCO’s programmatic interventions in education. In view of the continued expansion of the Education in Emergencies (EiE) portfolio, there is a pressing need to further consolidate EDP’s role—not only to provide strategic support to EiE programming and to strengthen the integration between emergency response and long-term resilience-building, but also as a means of enhancing organizational efficiency and promoting more cost-effective delivery of UNESCO’s mandate in education.
Within this context, EDP is seeking for a Project Officer willing to contribute actively to the implementation and delivery of the above data and information management programme, notably in education in emergency (EiE) contexts.
Long Description
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, the guidance of the Director of the Division and of the Chief of Section, and the direct supervision of the SeniorProject Officer in charge of EDP’s portfolio on sector management, governance, data management and M&E systems, the Project Officer will be responsible for providing technical support in the implementation of the section’s programmatic activities and initiatives on data systems in education and monitoring and evaluation, notably in education in emergency contexts. The Project Officer will provide technical and capacity development support to UNESCO’s network and Member States to strengthen Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and institutionalize EiE data into EMIS, improve data literacy, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and evidence-based planning, programming, and advocacy.
The Project Officer will notably provide targeted technical assistance to projects in Member States affected by conflict and crisis—including, but not limited to, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, and refugee-hosting countries—supporting efforts to enhance the availability, quality, and use of education data in emergency and protracted crisis contexts. The position will contribute to reinforcing UNESCO’s leadership in EiE data systems and knowledge generation at both global and field levels, supporting the systematic integration of EiE data into EMIS and advancing the humanitarian–development–peace nexus approach.
The Project Officer will also contribute to EDP global workstreams on education management, EMIS and e-governance and collaborate closely with internal and external partners to strengthen education data systems, with particular attention to crisis-sensitive design and implementation.
In particular, the incumbent will perform the following essential duties:
1. Programme and project implementation
- Support the GPE System Capacity Grant (SCG) project in Sudan for establishment of an integrated M&E system under the Transitional Education Plan (TEP) 2025–2027, ensuring alignment with EMIS.
- Contribute to the design and rollout of EiE data integration into EMIS in priority countries, including South Sudan, Sudan, and Ukraine.
- Support the GPE Multiplier project in Ukraine by providing technical input on e-governance, updating and analyzing data, and contributing to the Ukraine Regional Refugee Response by supporting data updates and analysis, and co-developing learning briefs to inform regional coordination and programming.
- Provide tailored technical assistance and capacity building to UNESCO Field Offices and partners on EiE data, statistics, M&E, and EMIS.
- Engage in global EMIS and e-governance initiatives through guidance development, advocacy, and knowledge sharing.
- Promote a strategic, crisis-sensitive approach to integrating EiE data into national EMIS in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Support assessments and gap analyses of EiE data and EMIS progress in selected countries.
2. Knowledge Management and Capacity Development
- Support capacity strengthening in data literacy, evidence-informed planning, and the use of education data for decision-making, notably in crisis-affected settings.
- Contribute to the development of technical frameworks and tools such as EMIS PATT, including for enhancement of the integration of EiE data into EMIS and broader education sector planning mechanisms.
- Support the development of global and regional knowledge products, including learning briefs, technical notes, and guidance documents.
- Contribute to research and evaluation efforts on Education management and EMIS in EiE context, including generating evidence and lessons learned to inform policy and practice.
3. Partnerships, Networking and Resource Mobilization
- Participate in relevant internal and inter-agency coordination mechanisms to support data harmonization and joint analysis in EiE contexts.
- Support the resource mobilization efforts to strengthen the integrated EiE in EMIS work, including climate data into EMIS, working closely with partners, both internal and external, through harmonized vision and approach.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, economics, social policy, demographics, and/or other relevant fields.
Work Experience
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in education policy and data systems, of which preferably 2 years acquired at the international level.
- Proven experience in project/programme coordination and management at international and/or regional levels.
- Proven experience in building, maintaining, and enhancing partnerships and working relations.
Long Description
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent knowledge and technical expertise in education management information systems, monitoring and evaluation issues and education policy reforms, especially in emergency contexts.
- Excellent analytical and research skills.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
- Ability to participate effectively in high-level negotiations with internal and external partners.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Strong IT and data analysis skills, including knowledge of information systems technical architectures and data systems for education.
Languages
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Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Experience in project/programme coordination and management in Education in Emergency contexts
Languages
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Working knowledge of French
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Knowledge of another UNESCO official language
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 107 073 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 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.
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