EMIS Technical Expert

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Beirut

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 29-MAY-2024

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

BACKGROUND & PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The assignment falls in the framework of the project “Yemen Education Management Information System (YEMIS) – Phase 2” (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”). The Project aims to consolidate Yemen’s capacities to collect and analyze education data, to conduct a national education census for the Whole of Yemen for the school year 2024-2025. The Project will also contribute to building an evidence-based decision-making process for education planning and governance by 2030, which will be grounded in the Yemen Education Sector Plan 2024-2030 under development with the support of UNESCO. 

In addition to the aforementioned project, UNESCO is investigating potential avenues to support the MOE in Syria in enhancing and adapting its Education and School Integrated Management Information System. This involves the redesign and adaptation of the existing systems to align with the specific needs of the country’s current context as well as contribute to create an education data platform in coordination with Development Partners Group. 

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Beirut and the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, the consultant is expected to support the management, implementation, and monitoring of the Projects activities detailed below.

TASKS AND EXPECTED OUTPUT

The consultant is expected to perform the following specific tasks, in close coordination with UNESCO Office in Beirut:

1. EMIS Software Adaptation

In close coordination with UNESCO national consultants, and EMIS technical teams, support in the coordination and monitoring of the EMIS software adaptation process including but not limited to:

• Maintain regular communication with the chosen company commissioned for the software adaptation;
• Propose solutions to issues that arise during the software adaptation;
• Monitor the progress of the software adaptation to ensure it progresses as planned, meeting the expected results, deadlines, and aligning with the project’s objectives.

2. Capacity reinforcement of National EMIS Teams

• Support UNESCO national consultants in the delivery of the planned capacity reinforcement workshops, including but not limited to reviewing training concept notes, agendas, and training content, and suggesting relevant or additional components to strengthen capacity effectively across all aspects of EMIS at the field level. 

3.    Educational Census for school year 2024/2025

• Extend technical support to UNESCO national consultants, EMIS technical teams and MOE throughout the implementation of the activity and when necessary;
• Supervise and lead the data validation process in coordination with UNESCO national consultants, EMIS technical teams and MOE;
• Support in the consolidation of the data and production of a statistical yearbook for school year 2024/2025.

4.    Coordination

• Regularly coordinate with UNESCO staff and consultants, the EMIS technical teams, and MoE Staff for the implementation of the activities; 
• Participate in the project committee meetings, composed of UNESCO and other partners involved in EMIS to provide technical inputs to the process and ensure it meets the field needs; 
• Participate in meetings at UNESCO Offices in Beirut as needed.

5.    SYRIA SIMIS/EMIS

• Support in the development of a rapid assessment and the revised questionnaires for Syria’s SIMIS/EMIS if needed;
• Contribute to the design of an Education Data platform and the development of its CN;
• Support in the development of a concept note for the adaptation and update of Syria’s SIMIS/EMIS if needed. 

TRAVEL

The consultant will be homebased but may be required to undertake missions to Amman or Cairo (specific location for mission will be confirmed by UNESCO in advance) in pursue of the work assignment. In an event where travel is deemed necessary, UNESCO will cover the costs of the mission in line with UNESCO’s standard rates. 

CONTRACTUAL PERIOD

•    The total duration of the current contract is from 1 June 2024 to 16 March 2025.
•    The consultancy will be part-time and home-based. 

DELIVERABLES

1.    Submission Package #1 which shall include the following:

• Progress report on activities undertaken during reporting period;
• Software stress test report.

Deadline for submission: Tentatively 30 August 2024 

2.    Submission Package #2 which shall include the following:

• Progress report on activities undertaken during reporting period;
• Data validation report.

Deadline for submission: Tentatively 30 November 2024

3.    Submission package #3 which shall include the following:

• Final report on all activities conducted throughout the contract duration, including challenges, lessons learned and recommendations;
• Statistical yearbook for school year 2023/24.

Deadline for submission: Tentatively 16 March 2025

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS

• Type of contract:   Consultant contract with UNESCO
• Duration:               10.5 months, from 1 June 2024 to 16 March 2025
• Working modality: The contractor is expected to work remotely, with his/her own working tools and connectivity. S/he is expected to carry out the assignment in close consultation and collaboration with UNESCO. S/he is expected to undertake a mission to Amman or Cairo (specific location for mission will be confirmed by UNESCO in advance) in pursue of the work assignment. In an event where travel is deemed necessary, UNESCO will cover the costs of the mission in line with UNESCO’s standard rates. 
• Coordination:        The contractor is expected to work closely with UNESCO staff based in Beirut, as well as with partners and contractors involved in the project. 
• Reporting:             Throughout the assignment, the contractor will work under the overall guidance of the Regional Director of UNESCO Beirut Office and will report to the relevant Programme Specialist. During the fulfilment of his/her work, the contractor will ensure regular communication with UNESCO prior to the delivery of expected tasks/reports.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (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, statistics, software/computer engineering, or another related field. 

Work Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible, relevant work experience in education development at the national or international level.
• Previous experience in EMIS
• Previous experience in educational data analysis and statistics
• Advanced professional experience in education policy formulation, education planning, education in emergencies, with a proven capacity to liaise with Government officials.
• Proven experience in programme and team management and coordination.

Skills and Competencies 

• Strong understanding of UNESCO’s mandate, vision, strategic direction and priorities, particularly in Education. 
• Excellent communication and networking skills with strong representational ability; drive for results; analytical and technical application skills. 
• Strong personnel leadership skills, particularly mentoring skills. 
• Good inter-personal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural team. 
• Very good IT skills. 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and Arabic. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in Education and/or related areas. 

Work Experience

• Experience in international organisations, preferably within the UN System in the Arab States.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• A brief motivation letter
• A technical proposal detailing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment 
• A financial proposal with the proposed fee of each deliverable
• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work

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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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) 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.