Background (UNESCO)
UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, and communication.
Details
Parent Sector: Education
Duty Station: Islamabad
Contract Type: Service Contract
Grade Level: SC-9
Contract Duration: 1 Year
Eligibility: Open to Internal and External Candidates
Application Deadline: 28 July 2025 (Midnight, Pakistan Standard Time)
MAIN TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Programme Planning & Implementation
- Develop, update, and oversee detailed work plans and timelines for SCG Programme activities at the provincial level, ensuring alignment with the Partnership Compact and Education Sector Plan.
- Collaborate closely with UNESCO’s Education team, National Education Coordination Officer (Balochistan), Admin/Finance, and MEAL teams to facilitate timely activity execution, resource disbursement, and logistical support.
- Prioritize activities, optimize resource allocation, and address operational needs to ensure smooth programme delivery.
- Prepare procurement documents, contracts, guidelines, and communications in compliance with organizational policies.
- Maintain a robust tracking system to monitor contractual and partnership agreements, ensuring adherence to deliverables, schedules, and performance benchmarks. Recommend amendments as needed and generate periodic reports with key insights and recommendations.
2. Contract & Financial Management
- Draft, review, and finalize contracts, partnership agreements, and amendments in line with GPE and UNESCO regulations, ensuring alignment with project objectives, timelines, and budgets.
- Monitor contract execution, track compliance, and report discrepancies for corrective action to maintain accountability.
- Prepare, manage, and revise budgets, ensuring proper fund allocation, expenditure tracking, and timely resolution of financial deviations.
- Identify and mitigate risks in contract implementation, proposing solutions to the Head of Education to prevent delays and sustain programme continuity.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing and innovative strategies to enhance service delivery and achieve project goals.
3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Monitor programme activities to ensure consistency with SCG objectives, the Partnership Compact, and the Education Sector Plan, addressing deviations proactively.
- Collect, analyze, and report data to evaluate intervention effectiveness, identify improvement areas, and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Prepare high-quality progress and financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, meeting audit and evaluation standards.
- Develop briefs, presentations, and updates for donors and partners, clearly communicating progress, challenges, and impacts.
- Support the design, revision, and updating of project documents, work plans, and budgets.
- Identify and engage implementation partners, draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) for consultants/vendors, and oversee contract performance and fund disbursement.
- Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the Officer-in-Charge or Head of Education, adapting to evolving priorities.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Effective Programme Delivery: SCG activities are executed on schedule, aligned with provincial education strategies, and coordinated seamlessly among stakeholders.
- Compliant Financial & Contract Management: Contracts adhere to UNESCO/GPE guidelines, funds are disbursed efficiently, and financial risks are minimized.
- Robust M&E Framework: Data-driven insights inform decision-making, with timely and accurate reporting for transparency and accountability.
- Strengthened Partnerships: Enhanced coordination with government, UN agencies, and partners improves education service delivery in Balochistan.
- Proactive Risk Management: Potential disruptions are identified early, with adaptive strategies ensuring uninterrupted progress toward education goals.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Accountability
- Communication
- Innovation
- Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Improvement
- Planning & Organizing
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Professionalism
(Refer to the UNESCO Competency Framework for details.)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- Alternatively: An advanced degree combined with relevant experience in international education development.
Experience:
- Minimum 3 years in project planning, implementation, and coordination, preferably in education.
- Proven collaboration with governments, UN agencies, or international organizations in education programmes.
- End-to-end project management expertise (planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting).
- Familiarity with donor-funded project requirements.
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong organizational, analytical, and multitasking abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for multicultural environments.
- Exceptional written/verbal communication for reports, briefs, and stakeholder engagement.
- Proficiency in contract/financial management, budgeting, and M&E methodologies.
- Ability to build partnerships and work under tight deadlines.
IT Proficiency:
- Advanced skills in Office 365, collaboration tools, and data management.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Urdu (written and spoken).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Education, ICT in Education, STEM, or a related field.
About UNESCO
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a specialized UN agency founded in 1945 to advance global peace through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication. Based in Paris, it champions universal access to quality education, protects cultural and natural heritage through programs like World Heritage Sites, promotes scientific research on critical issues such as climate change and biodiversity, and advocates for freedom of expression. Additionally, UNESCO safeguards intangible cultural traditions and historical archives while tackling contemporary challenges like digital inequality. Though impactful, the organization has faced controversies—including politically charged heritage disputes and membership changes, notably the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and reinstatement in 2023. Despite these challenges, UNESCO remains essential in fostering cross-cultural dialogue, preserving humanity’s shared heritage, and driving sustainable development worldwide.
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