Project Officer

UNESCO is implementing a programme designed for a period of four years to contribute to transforming the TVET system in Jordan to respond to labour market demands and address youth unemployment and gender disparities. More specifically, the programme aims to provide technical assistance to MoE in Jordan to support their national TVET reforms and in particular the implementation of their Education Strategic Plan (ESP/2018-25), including the Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Education and new Vocational Education Reform Strategic Plan (VERSP-2022-2027). The programme complements the Canadian government’s sovereign loan to the government of Jordan supporting the implementation of a five-year initiative titled ‘Increasing Education Access and Quality to vocational education through strengthening Edtech and Maintenance’. 

The proposed UNESCO technical assistance 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. 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Education Unit, the Project Officer will be responsible for coordination, implementation and monitoring of the TVET Programme through the three key areas mentioned above.

Under the leadership of the MoE and in close collaboration with key national stakeholders and partners involved in TVET provision, and the private sector, UNESCO will support the implementation of interventions and activities under the three areas to put in place gender sensitive and strategic transformations and reforms for quality TVET provision, and to increase equitable and inclusive vocational education and skills development opportunities for youth that are aligned to labour market needs. This would support girls and boys in Jordan, regardless of their nationalities, gender, diverse abilities, and socioeconomic situation, to participate in quality vocational education that promotes practical and life skills and work readiness, which would ultimately lead to more and better employment opportunities and income generation sources, and hence contribute to alleviate poverty and vulnerability.  

The Project Officer will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks and responsilbilities:

Programme management:

• Oversee and follow up on the implementation of the Technical Assistance (TA) Programme ‘Transforming Technical Vocational Education and Training in Jordan 2023-2027’ in close coordination with relevant national stakeholders and development partners and in line with project agreements, documents and plans.
• Develop and keep up to date a strategic and operational plan for programme implementation.
• Ensure monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programme by implementing monitoring activities (updating results frameworks, field visits, regular monitoring meetings with stakeholders, partners, and vendors, etc.), preparing internal and donor progress and final narrative and ad hoc reports on regular basis and as required in programme agreements, in line with UNESCO procedures and requirements.
• Ensure technical and operational quality assurance of all programmes deliverables.
• Work closely with MoE staff, the UNESCO team, technical specialists, contractors and consultants to ensure quality and timely delivery of programme activities, narrative and financial reports, and achievement of performance targets.
• Identify opportunities and challenges during implementation and recommend relevant actions to ensure programme objectives are met or surpassed.
• Supervise the administrative and logistical operations related to programme activities through reviewing budget plans and estimates, preparing and issuing contracts, following up on procurement activities, and supporting event organization (capacity development workshops, technical sessions, missions, workshops, conferences and events, consultation, etc.).

Technical support and coordination:

• Ensure coordination of the TA programme and establish good communication channels with relevant local authorities, like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Technical and Vocational Skills Development Commission, Skills Councils and other stakeholders. This includes actively participating in the MoE Thematic Group  on TVET that is used as a coordination platform on TVET under the MoE ESP coordination structure, organizing regular meetings and consultations, facilitating programme management through establishment and coordination of relevant technical and steering committees, ensuring regular and proper communication among the concerned parties, providing inputs related to sector planning and UN coordination mechanisms, ensuring regular communication and information sharing, and providing regular updates to the direct supervisor and head of office.
• Contribute to broader TVET portfolio in UNESCO Jordan aligned with UNESCO’s main programme C/5 expected results (under ‘TVET, Literacy, Higher education, STEM education’), including developing technical reports, briefs and updates, supporting development of relevant concept notes and proposals, providing inputs on technical reports, research, reviews, and other similar documents, and facilitating the work of experts and consultants.
• Support and contribute to efforts to support Jordan in the implementation of its national Education Strategic Plan 2018-2025 and the TVET reforms, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 4, including providing technical support in policy and strategic planning process through evidence-based planning, and through other UNESCO supported initiatives as needed.
• Establish good communication channels/networks and ensure coordination of UNESCO Jordan’s work within UNESCO (HQ, Regional Office, relevant UNESCO institutes, Jordan National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, etc.) to mobilize technical support and incorporate international best practices into the programme.

 Donor relations:

• Ensure effective and timely communication and coordination with the donor on major programme developments.
• Ensure programme and donor visibility and public recognition by carrying out regular communication activities (drafting media pieces, posts, human/ success stories, contributing to the development of other media products such as short videos for social media platforms, op eds, etc).
• Prepare the required progress and final reports for submission to the donor.
• Provide support to the Head of Education to identify further needs and mobilize additional resources as needed.

Partnerships and Coordination:

• Maintain a strong and constructive working relationship with partner ministries, in particular the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as other relevant ministries like the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Youth.
• Provide support to the Head of Education in preparing inputs and taking part in coordination meetings as related to TVET and as needed (e.g. Policy, Planning and Coordination Committee; ESP Thematic Group on TVET, Education Sector Working Group; Education Development Partners Group, etc.).
• Participate in joint UN planning related to TVET, skills development, decent jobs and youth employment, specifically in support of the implementation and monitoring of the UN Cooperation Framework to coordinate and advance programmatic work and ensure visibility for UNESCO.

Supervision and Teamwork:

• Supervise staff under the TVET TA programme.
• Contribute to implementation and monitoring of regular programme activities related to TVET.
• Oversee the work of contracted personnel and consultants engaged in the delivery of the TVET TA programme and UNESCO regular programme.
• Contribute to a professional and effective working environment characterized by effective teamwork, collegiality, and mutual respect.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master or equivalent) in education, international development, social sciences or related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum 4 years of experience in the field of education.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in project management, including financial, procurement, contracts, and results-based management.
• Experience in institutional system strengthening and capacity development, as well as experience at international level.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Amman-Project-Officer-TVET/792905002/