Project officer

Under the authority of the Director and Representative of the UNESCO Brasilia Office (UBO) and the direct supervision of the Education Programme Coordinator, and following the Table of Delegated Authority and Accountability, the incumbent is responsible for project work, advice, research and knowledge management, networking, partnerships, and resource mobilization for the Education Programme of UNESCO in Brasília. In particular, the incumbent makes proposals and coordinates technical cooperation agreements in accordance with priorities, guidelines and orientations established, by providing technical and operational inputs for the design, elaboration, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of extra-budgetary and regular programme projects and activities, giving support and technical guidance to the actions and projects within the Education Sector. 

Planning:

• Provide assistance to ED Programme Coordinator in mapping-out the development stage of topics under UNESCO’s mandate in education and the need for technical cooperation in Brazil with public and/or private sectors;
• Provide contributions to the preparation of UBO’s framework and planning documents, including the IT-based management tools such as SISTER/CorePlanner, as well as subsidizing issues for UNESCO’s planning documents (medium-term strategy and Programme and Budget – C/4 and C/5);
• Propose annual action plans for the specific theme(s) for which he/she is responsible in the Programmatic Area.

Technical Cooperation:

• Identify and develop both internal and external collaborative project proposals based on needs; define and revise project requirements and specifications in line with goals and priorities and project quality criteria; conduct feasibility studies and draft reports. Contribute to the interdisciplinary work in the multi-sectoral team of the Field Office, particularly with regards to the educational dimension of the “2030 Sustainable Development Agenda”;
• Coordinate and plan work activities in the Field in assigned areas of focus, for example in the areas of the development of education systems, empowering learners and the Education 2030 agenda. Contribute both in terms of substantive aspects (assessment, curriculum, pedagogy) as well as the promotion of cross cutting values (peace, learning to live together, learner wellbeing, gender equality), as a reflection of the priorities of Sustainable Development Goal 4 and the country Education Support Strategy;
• Provide assistance to the ED Programme Coordinator in defining project and revision requirements by elaborating and/or supervising technical cooperation project documents (so-called PRODOCs and Funds-in-Trust agreements);
• Prepare project proposals and revision proposals; suggesting UNESCO cross-cutting activities and opportunities for south-south cooperation and better integrated activities with other UNESCO offices in the region;
• Manage and supervise technical cooperation agreements (extra-budgetary and UNESCO regular budget) by following up budget and financial situation, monitoring and systematizing evaluations and preparing document revisions and using project management tools; analyzing and interpreting background history and documentation of projects under his/her responsibility.
• Add technical value to projects by providing technical and strategic solutions to project needs based on the UNESCO expertise under the Education (ED) programme;
• Monitor project implementation, analyze and appraise products carried out within the projects under his/her responsibility;
• Organize and revise UNESCO books, articles and publications by drafting and structuring contents;
• Prepare and make technical presentations, speeches, documents, reports and papers upon request.

National negotiations and fundraising:

• Attend qualified meetings and participate in technical groups, when indicated by the Programme Coordinator and/or the Director of UBO;
• Conduct negotiations with donors and prospective partners, selecting and proposing work plans for negotiation;
• Identify niches of opportunities and draft new project agreements, particularly with the private sector, in areas where the Education (ED) programme can offer expertise to a country such as Brazil.

Management:

• Plan and control the work progress of the specific themes for which he/she is responsible, including the elaboration of sectoral action plans;
• Orient, supervise and review the completion of duties conducted by Programme Assistant(s) related to the themes and projects under his/her responsibility as well as the work assigned to the assistant(s), according to the priorities defined by the Programme Coordinator.

Required qualifications

Education:

• Advanced University degree (equivalent to Masters) in education, social sciences or in a related area.

Work Experience:

• Eight (8) years of of relevant professional experience in the field of education or social areas, with solid experience in project management and/or public policies;
• Proven experience in formulating education related policies and in implementing and monitoring education programmes/projects;
• Good understanding of the challenges and opportunities of particular Brazilian Education System.

Languages:

• The position requires proficiency in Portuguese and English.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong sense of ethics, initiative, creativity, discretion and maturity of judgement;
• Pro-activeness and ability to work under pressure; timely responses, accuracy and sense of confidentiality; ability and flexibility to manage workload;
• Team and service-oriented, autonomy, emphasis on quality, efficiency and results;
• Analytical, problem solving, organizational and coordination skills;
• Resource mobilization and negotiation skills;
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills;
• Good IT skills (Microsoft package). Ability to handle web-based management systems;
• Availability to travel;
• Good interpersonal skills with ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment: with people of different national and cultural background. Gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Source: https://careers.unesco.org/job/Brasilia-Project-Officer-(EDUCATION)/791591702/