OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector
Duty Station: Tarawa, Kiribati
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Consultancy
Duration of contract : 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : Nationals of Kiribati Only.
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 27 January 2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
BACKGROUND OF STG PROJECT
The Kiribati System Transformation Grant (STG) is a USD $2.5M program (2024โ2028) designed to address critical challenges within the Kiribati education system. These challenges, include infrastructure limitations, resource constraints, and high dropout rates, particularly among boys. The program, developed by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), aims to expand access to quality learning and enhance teaching practices through a strategic focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Aligned with Kiribatiโs Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2024-2027) and the ICT in Education Master Plan (2021-2025), the STG takes a phased approach, initially focusing on establishing model schools. These selected schools will serve as testing grounds for ICT infrastructure and teaching innovations, enabling evidence-based learning and systematic adaptation. ICT integration will directly support student learning by expanding access to digital resources, with inclusive digital lesson plans, projectable diagrams and tools for student assessments. The STG programme activities are structured around three interconnected components:
- Access: Expanding access to quality learning through ICT infrastructure and inclusive pedagogies.
- Teaching Quality: Improving teaching quality and inclusion through access to digital resources and training on using ICTs.
- Systems Reform: Strengthening the collection and use of data to support programme implementation, inclusivity, and system improvements.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States in Apia, the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, the incumbent will provide a range of programmatic support activities to UNESCO, who serves as the Grant Agent of the Kiribati Global Partnership for Education System Transformation Grant (STG).
Specifically, the incumbent will undertake the following functions:
Long Description
- Programme and Project Coordination
- Support the day-to-day management of the STG programme, ensuring that all activities are implemented according to the project document and work plan.
- Assist with the coordination of technical and administrative support staff involved in programme activities.
- Ensure the efficient allocation of resources to meet programme needs and targets, identifying any gaps and proposing solutions.
- Assist in developing and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress against the programmeโs objectives, outcomes and performance indicators.
- Ensure the enhancement of key areas such as ICT infrastructure, teacher capacity, and KEMIS development, and timely delivery of outputs and results.
- Assist in the preparations of regular technical progress reports for submission to UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and other relevant stakeholders.
- Assist in the facilitation of external and internal evaluations of the programme and maintain records of evaluation findings to inform future planning and programme adjustments.
- Assist in developing and implementing a communications strategy and materials to promote the achievements and impacts of the STG programme to Kiribatiโs education sector, at the national and international levels.
- Support in facilitating effective communications and correspondence between the Ministry of Education, UNESCO, and development partners involved in the STG programme.
- Support the facilitation of regular meetings and consultations with stakeholders to ensure alignment with the ESSP, ICT Master Plan, and national priorities.
- Support the coordination of programme activities across different government agencies, educational institutions, and local communities.
Long Description
2. Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance
- Assist in the provision of technical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs related to ICT infrastructure development, teacher training, and the enhancement of KEMIS.
- Support the provision of technical guidance to ensure that programme activities contribute to the development of inclusive, equitable education in line with the ESSPโs focus on quality education and the ICT Master Planโs objectives for digital transformation.
- Support regular quality assurance checks to ensure that programme deliverables are of high quality and meet UNESCOโs standards.
3. Financial and Administrative Management
- Assist the financial management of the programme, ensuring that all expenditures are in line with UNESCOโs financial policies and procedures.
- Assist with the preparation of financial reports and ensure timely submission of all necessary documentation for audits.
- Monitor the programmeโs budget, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated and that financial risks are mitigated.
4. Capacity Building and Training
- Support the capacity-building efforts of the Ministry of Education personnel, teachers, and other stakeholders, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher ICT competency development, and KEMIS usage.
- Assist the coordination of training workshops to enhance the skills of teachers and school leaders in digital literacy, ICT-based pedagogy, and data-driven education management.
5. Risk Management and Safeguards
- Assist in identifying potential risks to programme implementation, including operational, financial, and social risks (e.g., SEAH).
- Support the implementation of mitigation strategies in line with UNESCOโs safeguarding policies, including the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) framework.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with UNESCOโs risk management policies and report regularly on risks to the Project Manager.
6. Other Duties
- Undertake field missions to monitor programme activities and provide technical assistance to local implementation teams.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States and the Education Programme Specialist.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Professionalism (C)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, or closely related field(s).
- A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in coordinating or managing education projects, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher development, or education system reforms.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Strong project management and coordination skills, with experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
Solid financial management skills, including budgeting, reporting, and monitoring.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for working with government officials, development partners, and local stakeholders.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with digital education tools or platforms.
LANGUAGES
Excellent knowledge of English and Kiribati is required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations in project coordination, capacity building, or education system strengthening is highly desirable.
Long Description
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates are invited to submit the application and requirements through the UNESCO Careers website at https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl.
Interested candidates should click on โApply Nowโ and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in โEmployment History Form / My Documentsโ. Before uploading the submission, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information: