OVERVIEW
Post Number : 6GWED 0001PA
Grade : P-4
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Guinea-Bissau
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) : 09/06/2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The Government of Guinea-Bissau, with the assistance of UNESCO and the European Union, will implement the \"Dรฉveloppement, ร lโInsertion et au Renforcement des Compรฉtences Techniques en Guinรฉe Bissau (DIRECT)\" project to acknowledge the advancement of skills as a catalyst for societal and economic progress. The primary goal of this five-year project is to provide the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in Guinea Bissau with the resources to adapt to the changing demands of the job market and young people's aspirations to improve their skills and employability.
To achieve this, the project will focus on two main results: 1) improving the institutional capacity of the Ministry of National Education (MEN), the Ministry of Public Administration, Labor, Employment and Social Security (MAPTESS), and TVET stakeholders for effective implementation of the TVET policy; and 2) increasing access to training and skills development for the people of Guinea-Bissau.
In particular, the project will aim to develop relevant skills of young people and disadvantaged groups in Guinea-Bissau. It will also contribute to improving the quality, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the TVET system in selected high-demand sectors in the country and improving skills training offers in the rural regions, such as Bafatรก and Gabu. This project will help the Government to develop, test and pilot new initiatives and approaches in TVET with a view to scaling up beyond the project cycle.
Long Description
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Director and the Chief of Education Section of the UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office for West Africa (UNESCO Dakar), and the direct supervision of the Head of the Skills Cluster at UNESCO Dakar, the Senior Project Officer will be based in Guinea-Bissau and oversee the day-to-day implementation of the project in Guinea-Bissau. Specific responsibilities include:
Manage the implementation of the project in line with the project specific objectives, activities, and expected outputs:
Supervising and providing leadership, guidance, and direction to the project team to ensure that the project outputs are of the highest quality. Regularly monitoring and updating the project work plan as necessary. Planning and organizing the procurement of goods and services and closely monitoring its implementation. Identifying suitable project implementation partners and providers of goods and services. Monitoring the implementation of contracts, assessing the quality of services provided, and requesting disbursement of funds. Liaising with other development partners, donors, and stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to ensure coordination, harmonization, and alignment of the project with other TVET initiatives and interventions in the country.Long Description
Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and reporting on project activities:
Regularly monitoring the financial status of the project and promptly developing a budget revision if needed. Providing guidance and direction to the team or responsible officer in carrying out monitoring and evaluation efforts and reporting on progress. Regularly preparing, conducting, and following up on meetings of the project steering and technical committees, preparing their minutes and action plans with a clear division of responsibility and timeframe. Providing a comprehensive strategic analysis of the project's performance, based on the achievement of indicators, implementation of activities, and delivery of outputs. Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor, and partners. Ensuring the implementation of the communication and visibility plan of the project in close coordination with the Communication and Outreach Officer at UNESCO Dakar. Contributing to the dissemination of the project's results and knowledge products through various channels, such as workshops, webinars, and publications, and ensuring that the information is accessible and usable by the project's stakeholders.Long Description
Policy Advice and Technical Assistance:
Providing technical assistance to the MEN, MAPTESS, and other TVET stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau on the implementation of the new TVET policy and plans, and initiating relevant policy advice, which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG4-Education 2030) and 8 (SDG8-Employment) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Guinea-Bissau 2022-2026. Supporting the MEN and MAPTESS in developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and outcomes of the project, ensuring that the indicators are relevant, valid, reliable, and aligned with the project's objectives and the country's priorities. Advising the MEN and MAPTESS on the design and implementation of innovative approaches and interventions to enhance the quality, relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the TVET system in selected high-demand sectors selected for the project, and in the rural regions of Bafatรก and Gabu. Mobilizing UNESCOโs entities, including UNESCO HQ, UNESCO Dakar, IIEP-UNESCO Dakar and UNESCO-UNEVOC network, in support of the national TVET work. Sharing international experiences and facilitating access to information, knowledge and good practicesCOMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Communication (C)Accountability (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, engineering, social sciences or closely related field(s).
Work Experience
Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in technical assistance and project management in the field of education, training or skills development, of which preferably 3 years acquired at international level.