Post Number : 5JOED0026PA
Grade : NO-B
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Amman
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) : 10-OCT-2024
Only nationals of Jordan may apply for this position.
Duration of contract is one (1) year, with the possibility of an extension subject to satisfactory performance in line with the validity of project, project needs, and availability of funds.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Since its creation in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) mission has been to contribute to the building of peace, poverty eradication, lasting development and intercultural dialogue. As the global lead for SDG 4, UNESCO’s priority is to ensure that all children and youth in Jordan, regardless of their status, nationality, background, abilities, or gender, have access to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
Through different initiatives, programmes and projects, UNESCO focuses on supporting national institutions, and stakeholders, primarily the Ministry of Education (MoE) of Jordan to transform and strengthen their education systems to be more resilient and responsive to crisis, evidence-based, gender responsive, and of good quality.
Within this support, UNESCO is implementing a Technical Assistance (TA) programme “Transforming Technical Vocational Education and Training in Jordan” funded by Canada and designed to contribute to the TVET system in Jordan, to respond to labour market demands and address youth unemployment and gender disparities. The programme will therefore support the MoE’s TVET reforms in line with their Education Strategic Plan (2018-2025), including the Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Education and the Economic Modernisation Vision.
The TA programme will support MoE’s TVET reforms through three key areas; namely Strengthening key institutional and policy elements of the national skills ecosystem for a better enabling institutional and policy environment; Enhancing skills development in priority sectors for young women and men through innovation in TVET; and Improving the perception of TVET while advancing gender inclusivity and equity for all students to become a more attractive pathway for young girls and boys.
The TA programme complements the Canadian Government’s sovereign loan to the Government of Jordan supporting TVET reform. The Sovereign Loan, titled “Increasing Education Access and Quality to vocational education through strengthening ED Tech and maintenance”, funds three broad activities within a five-years period: Refurbishment of vocational workshops; School maintenance activities and procurement of computers; and digital equipment. The Ministry of Education is responsible to implement, monitor and report on the loan.
Within this overall context and as part of the TA programme team, UNESCO is seeking to recruit a Monitoring and Reporting Officer to support specifically capacity strengthening of MoE staff in their monitoring and reporting functions of the loan.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Jordan Office, the guidance of the Head of the Education Unit and the direct supervision of the Project Officer (TVET portfolio), the Monitoring & Reporting Officer will be responsible for providing direct technical assistance and capacity development to the Ministry of Education staff in their monitoring and reporting functions of the Canadian sovereign loan, as well as supporting the M&E of the TA Programme implementing by UNESCO.
More specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:
– Ensure an effective and productive working relationship is built and maintained with the MoE and MoE staff, as well as relevant officials in GAC.
– Prepare and implement a capacity development plan as well as working sessions and workshops, with a view to strengthening capacity of M&E and reporting for relevant MoE officials.
– Provide technical support and capacity development to MoE staff in the relevant departments (mainly Development Coordination Unit – DCU, TVET Department, School Buildings, etc.) and under the guidance of the DCU Executive Director, for them to achieve the following tasks: (1) preparation of a reporting calendar for the implementation of the Canadian loan in consultation with GAC; (2) preparation of high quality and timely M&E reports backed by relevant data and evidence and based on agreed upon KPIs on the Canadian loan based on the approved reporting calendar; (3) development of communication channels, coordination, and feedback systems/mechanisms (e.g. possible establishment of the M&E working group) for the monitoring and evaluation of the loan; (4) supporting the preparation of communication materials highlighting achievements and success stories related to the Canadian loan; (5) disseminating achievements of TA programme implemented by UNESCO whenever these are relevant and linked to the Loan; and (6) using the standard operating procedures to enable more efficient workflow and roles and responsibilities for the sovereign loan project coordination and implementation.
– Participate in the different committees and working groups of the loan and the TA programme as required and as requested primarily by the UNESCO TVET Project Officer and the Head of Education Unit, or the DCU Executive Director.
– Support the preparations of presentations and events, official meetings and briefings with senior officials, donors and other stakeholders as requested by UNESCO.
– Provide technical support and capacity development to MoE staff for on project start-up strategic planning and coordination, implementation, monitoring, financial tracking and results reporting for internal and external purposes.
– Provide support and technical inputs on monitoring, reporting and evaluation of activities related to the TA programme, in line with UNESCO and donor established guidelines and procedures. This includes monitoring challenges and risks, mapping mitigation strategies to address them in a timely manner, fostering exchange of information and lessons learnt/ success stories within the team and with stakeholders, recommending new strategies and actions to improve implementation, and disseminating programme results to donor, partners, and within UNESCO.
– Contribute to teamwork through exercising regular and clear communication with the Education team in UNESCO Jordan (e.g. participate in UNESCO Education team weekly meetings to share updates on activities and progress), supporting with technical inputs and other contributions as needed, seeking feedback, drawing and sharing lessons learnt and best practices, as well as taking initiative and offering options to address needs and emerging challenges.
– Submit, through the TVET Project Officer, monthly reports to document the capacity development and technical support provided to the MoE for both the sovereign loan and the TA, which identifies achievements, challenges and recommended way forward.
– Support in build synergies with other programmes and activities the Education Unit at UNESCO and of other development partners in the sector.
– Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Head of Office, the Head of the Education Unit and the TVET Project Officer.
Work modality:
– It is expected that the Officer will spend approximately 50% of his/her time at the Ministry of Education (MoE), and the remaining 50% at the UNESCO Jordan Office.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
Building partnerships (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Academic qualifications
• Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, international development, or other social sciences or international development cooperation fields.
Work experience
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in the field of monitoring and evaluation, and coordination in the education sector at the national and/or sub-national level and including in international setting.
• Experience working with national authorities or Ministry of Education staff or within UN/INGO systems in providing such support is a strong asset.
Skills and Competencies
• Sound understanding of results-based management, monitoring, and evaluation principles.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationship (both within and outside the Organization).
• Excellent coordination, organization, and prioritization skills, and ability to manage multiple and simultaneous tasks, and to deliver results within a specified timetable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong team working skills and ability to take initiative and be proactive.
Language requirement
• Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic (written and spoken).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Relevant work experience
• Previous experience working with UN agency or international non-governmental organisation in the field of international development cooperation and preferably in the field of Technical Vocational Education and skills development.
• Previous work in the Education Sector in Jordan.
Skills and Competencies
• Knowledge of procurement for infrastructure works and furnishing for schools, an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Jordan TVET-sector development and donor/partner landscape, an advantage.
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 38 969 JOD.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
How to apply
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.
