Senior National Programme Officer: Strengthening Teacher Education Programmes in Cambodia (STEPCam)

Parent Sector : Education Unit, UNESCO Cambodia

Duty Station: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level : SB5 [SC-11]

Application Deadline : 5 March 2024

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

(Only candidates who are entitled to work in Cambodia may apply to this position)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

I.    Background

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and UNESCO Cambodia will be jointly implementing the Global Partnership for Education (GPE5) System Transformation Grant (STG), for which UNESCO has been selected as Grant Agent to manage $12.62 million under the new GPE 2025 Operating Model. Under the leadership of the MoEYS and in consultation with development partners, UNESCO formulated the Strengthening Teacher Education Programmes in Cambodia (STEPCam) Phase II for the period 2024-2026 with four strategic components: 1) Teacher Education: supporting Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to provide quality pre-service teacher education programmes and to serve as institutional leaders in the provision of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and teacher research; 2) Teacher Professional Development: expanding and strengthening the system of CPD to be able to match teacher development needs with quality professional learning opportunities; 3) Classroom Learning: building capacity for effective Early Grade Learning (EGL) so that teachers have the competencies – and support – needed to facilitate the development of strong foundational skills in their students; and 4) Digital Transformation in Education: preparing teachers and teacher educators with the strategies and competencies needed to facilitate learning that harnesses the effective and ethical use of digital technologies. 

Long Description

II.    Scope of the assignment 
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia and the supervision of the Chief of Education Unit and the STEPCam Phase II Programme Manager and in close collaboration with the education unit as well as the relevant Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) technical departments, the Incumbent will provide managerial and technical support for the following areas of work:

1.    Work closely with the STEPCam II Manager and Chief of Education and contribute to the technical oversight of the STEPCam II programme. 
2.    Lead strategic planning, budgeting, management and implementation of the activities and sub-activities to achieve expected outputs and outcomes of STEPCam’s Components 1 and 2, and provide coordination         required to accomplish the workplans of Components 3 and 4 where works are connected to Components 1 and 2;
3.    Provide technical support to the MoEYS departments to further enhance institutionalization and rollout of the CPD and Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) systems nationwide. Specific         tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.    Support the expansion of the CPD supply from accredited Teacher Education Institutions, Technical Departments (TDs), Development Partners (DPs), and other potential providers;
b.    Support MoEYS with the accreditation of CPD providers and offerings;
c.    Assist in the identification of future priorities for CPD and HRMIS system development and roll out and support advocacy to promote high-level buy-in and support, including integration of trainings provided by     TDs and DPs in the CPD system;
d.    Support capacity building of the MoEYS TDs, particularly CPD Management Office and Teacher Training Department in CPD and HRMIS system management and implementation;
e.    Support any upcoming new task in the fields of CPD, Teacher Career Pathway (TCP), HRMIS and Teacher Qualification Upgrade that might arise in the life span of the contract;

Long Description

4.    Provide technical assistance and support for UNESCO’s role as a strategic partner in Cambodia’s education sector, including its engagement with education policy discussions and sector coordination mechanisms with government entities and development partners such as the Joint Technical Working Group, Education Sector Working Group, School Reform Committee, and Teacher Resource Development Committee.
a.    Coordinate and work with the Programme Manager and the team to support MoEYS in integrating the Management Information Systems, and contributing to education sector planning, including the Education High Impact Initiative and initiatives related to the development and professionalization of the teaching force;
b.    Engage in the Teacher Policy Action Plan (TPAP) 2024-2030 implementation with a focus on the areas of the plan relevant to UNESCO’s work;
c.    Work with International and National Specialists and TDs of the MoEYS to develop teacher-focused policies and establish an enabling environment such as teaching-research nexus and national teacher conferences to enhance teacher professionalism and social recognition;
d.    Contribute technical inputs, as needed, in support of the ongoing review of the public School Operating Fund (SOF) management guidelines to allow school teachers to request and pay for needs-based CPD using the SOF mechanism;

5.    Work with the Chief of Education and STEPCam programme manager to oversee and lead the planning, management and implementation of activities identified in the MoEYS-private sector partnership which supports STEPCam Phase 2 Priorities; 

Long Description

6.    Support the Chief of Education and Programme Manager in the management of GPE-related work in the Education Unit, including:
a.    Contribute to the development of ToRs and procure international and national consultants, experts and service providers and ensure close supervision for quality delivery of products and services to implement programme activities;
b.    Support and monitor the delivery of activities by programme counterparts, consultants and experts, to ensure its alignment with project objectives and targets;
c.    Work closely with counterparts in relevant MoEYS Technical Departments and Partners; liaise between departments as necessary and facilitate communication between international experts and national counterparts;
d.    Support the timely coordination and release of all reports as required by the donor and/or UNESCO’s monitoring and evaluation system as well as STEPCam II management
e.    Advise the Programme Manager of any potential challenges and work with the team to address the challenges to achieve the programme’s implementation milestones as planned;
f.    Ensure that implementation tasks and responsibilities are carried out on time, within budget, and in accordance with the basic principles of good governance;

7.    Participate and support preparation for programme-related meetings and activities arranged both by Government counterparts, NGOs and other partners as required;

8.    Lead and participate in monitoring missions at the sub-national level to provide oversight of activity implementation under Components 1 and 2. 

9.    Carry out other work and responsibilities as assigned by the UNESCO Country Representative and the Chief of Education. 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University Degree (PhD or equivalent) in the field of education, social science or fields related to teaching and learning

Language: Professional proficiency in both written and spoken Khmer and English 

Work Experience: At least 10 years’ of professional experience in providing technical assistance and project management, programme design, monitoring and implementation in the education sector in Cambodia;
Skills and competencies:
a.    Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
b.    Proven capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships inside and outside the organization.
c.    Proven conceptual and analytical skills, including the demonstrated ability to provide advice and technical support on education, teacher education and professional development, ICT in education, SDG4-Education 2030. 
d.    Good Knowledge and understanding of government functioning.
e.    Solid understanding of the Education and teacher development context in Cambodia, its key challenges and possible solutions. 
f.    Ability to take initiative, establish priorities and capacity to work efficiently under pressure.
g.    Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, ability to work in a team and manage other people to achieve shared objectives.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience: 15 years’ of professional experience in providing technical assistance and project management, programme design, monitoring and implementation in the education sector in Cambodia, with a strong focus on teacher education and development;
Skills and competencies:
a.    Experience in research and up-to-date teaching and learning practices
b.    Work on curriculum design and implementation
c.    Experience working with the UN, and knowledge of UN regulations and guidelines
d.    Good understanding of UNESCO’s mandate, procedures and policies  
 

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

CONTRACT MODALITY
Note on Contract Duration: The contract will have a 3 months probationary period, and issued in for a period of 3 years, with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance, and availability of funds. 
Type of Contract: Service Contract 
Level of Contract: NO-D (SC-11) level salary scales in Cambodia (subject to experience and educational qualifications)  
 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. Please attach your Curriculum Vitae in the online application. 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.
 

Footer

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.