National Project Officer

Post Number : 4FJED 0004PA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Suva

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) : 05-SEP-2025

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

Under the overall authority of the Director, UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific, the National Project Officer, will work under the supervision of the Education Programme Specialist and will also collaborate closely with the respective Heads and Programme Specialists of the UNESCO PSD/ESD and IIEP (hereafter referred to as the Supervising Authorities).

The National Project Officer will coordinate the implementation of PacREF activities aligned and complementary of the CSESI components, and those that will enhance the Pacific education systems and capacities under the following areas.

• Pacific cultures, languages and regionally identified and agreed concepts and strategies for mainstreaming all life skills.
• Strengthening Inclusive Education Policies and Practises.
• Strengthening national capacities in data production and utilisation of evidenced based policy, planning and implementation.

The National Project Officer will undertake the following tasks:

Technical Coordination and Communication:

1. Ensure regular coordination and communication with supervising authorities, relevant project partners and stakeholders of the CSESI and PacREF projects.

• Establish and maintain effective coordination mechanisms such as a Technical Working Group that brings the relevant project partners (contracted by UNESCO/UNESCO IIEP) to share progress updates, challenges and make decisions within available resources and given project timeframe.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels to ensure that the supervising authorities, the project partners and stakeholders are well informed through scheduled meetings, circulation of relevant documents or access to all relevant documents through shared drive folders.

Planning and Organising:

2. Organise logistics for technical meetings and workshops.

• Ensure timely planning and organisation of a series of hybrid regional level and national level technical meetings and workshops.
  • Initiate the preparations of meeting/workshop agenda, list of participants, participant learning materials) and lead on the organization of logistical arrangements in collaboration with all partners.

Progress Monitoring:

3. Monitor project activities and provide quarterly progress reports.

• Support the design phase of M& E frameworks and data surveys.
• Disseminate and collect the monitoring questionnaires to relevant participants.
• Prepare quarterly progress reports to be shared with Supervising Authorities leading the project.
  • Content of Progress Reports may include concise outcome/summary reports after each technical meeting or workshop.
  • Progress reports may include outcomes of the various project activities including guidance on potential adjustments of ongoing and/or new areas for intervention based on regional developments.

Programme Visibility and Reporting:

4. Ensure Programme Visibility and Coordinate Strategic Outcomes Reporting.

• Ensure consistent presence of the Programme at regional and national meetings, providing substantial inputs on Programme progress and challenges.
• Coordinate inputs to the Narrative, Results and Budget reports of the Programme.
  • Ensure that Lessons learnt, and best practices are incorporated into the Narrative Report as basis for programme continuity and sustainability beyond programme closure.
  • Ensure that Results Framework reporting is updated with relevant data that can be translated into concrete messaging for policy development and decision making.
  • Ensure transparent management and reporting of programme funds commitment and expenditures.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, project management, international development, or closely related field(s).

Work Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of experience working on issues related to the field of education or environment and development or humanitarian situations, including in contexts involving climate change.
• Good knowledge of education planning and management, teacher training and curriculum.
• Good understanding of conflict-sensitivity and risk management in education including with governments, donors, NGOs, the UN system and relevant international organizations.
• Experience in development and delivery of training materials. Experience with training in education planning and/or crisis-sensitive planning and Pacific all-life skills (teacher training and curriculum) is an asset.
• Experience of working in collaboration with or for ministries and development partners on technical assistance programs.

Languages

• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Additional Pacific language skills is an asset.

• Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations in project coordination, capacity building, or education system strengthening is highly desirable.