Head of Education

Post Number : 5IQED 0001RP

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Baghdad

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Fixed Term

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 12-AUG-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Iraq Office, the incumbent acts as Head of Education Unit in the Iraq Office and manages a team of staff, advises and reports on regular and extra-budgetary programme design, guidelines, resources, and progress. He/she advocates organizational involvement and participation in mainstream educational activities and will supervise or guide colleagues on thematic areas, evaluating progress and performance.  

The incumbent of the post will undertake the following responsibilities:

•    Lead, conceptualize and monitor the development and implementation of the education programme of the Baghdad Office. The programme maintains the consistency of activities and projects with the objectives and priorities of the Member State and the UN Cooperation Framework including the SDG 4 targets for the 2030 education agenda.
•    Lead the development of system thinking knowledge products and knowledge management related to higher education (e.g. policy analysis, policy notes, guides, compendium of best practices, etc.)
•    Engage and contribute to support the evolution of the education component of the Baghdad Office.
•    Participate in joint UN programming activities related to education and pursue and maintain strategic partnerships to promote and contribute to programmatic work and visibility for the Organization.
•    Monitor regular and extra-budgetary funded projects, activity and programme implementation and ensure corrective action, and that UNESCO’s work is designed and implemented in a coherent and integrated manner consistent with sector-wide development frameworks and in collaboration with other UNESCO Field Offices, and HQ.

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)
Building partnerships (M)
Driving and managing change (M)
Leading and empowering others (M)
Making quality decisions (M)
Managing performance (M)
Strategic thinking (M)
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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
•    Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education policy, science, social sciences, engineering, economics, or related field.

Work Experience
•    A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of education, of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level.  
•    Proven experience in providing policy advice in the field of education.
•    Experience in planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating programmes and/or projects related to higher education.

Skills and competencies 
•    Excellent coordination and interpersonal, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills;
•    Strong project and budget management skills, with good practical experience in results-based management and budgeting and gender mainstreaming approaches;
•    Demonstrated fundraising and resource mobilization skills;
•    Ability to manage staff and teams, and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
•    Analytical skills and ability to collect, synthesize and analyze information from various sources.
•    Proven ability to identify emerging development trends and educational needs.
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare, present and discuss findings and recommendations clearly and concisely.
•    Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, and to translate strategy into priorities and action.
•    Ability to coordinate and negotiate with partners, network and different stakeholders.

Languages

•    Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education
•    Advanced university degree (PhD or equivalent) in the field of economics of education, science and technology, labor economics or related field.

Work Experience
•    Experience in the United Nations system or other multilateral organizations and/or in the field of international relations and multilateral settings/cooperation and development.
 

Skills and competencies 
•    Good organizational and leadership skills and ability to empower others.
•    Ability to interact with a wide range of high-level partners.

Languages

•    Knowledge of other UNESCO official language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish). 

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 106, 555.23 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 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.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.