Associate Programme Officer (Education)

Post Number : 4MMED0008PA

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Myanmar

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Level : P-2

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-Oct-2020

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

(Duration of contract: initially 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance)

Background

Through the “Strengthening Pre-Service Teacher Education in Myanmar” (STEM) programme, UNESCO is working closely with the Myanmar Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide policy and institutional capacity development – at central-level within the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and at institutional-level within Myanmar’s 25 Education Colleges (ECs) – for the reform of the pre-service teacher education system. Specifically, the MoE has started upgrading the ECs to offer a 4-year specialized degree programme in line with international standards.

The STEM programme focuses on providing technical and capacity development assistance to the upgrade of ECs to 4-year specialized degree programmes; assistance is delivered around four key aspects of pre-service teacher education:

1. The formulation of policy frameworks to support the pre-service teacher education reform and the identification of standards for quality assurance;
2. The development of the four-year degree curriculum and accompanying continuing professional development for teacher educators to implement the new curriculum;
3. The development of institutional management and administrative capacities for more efficient operation of ECs; and
4. The mainstreaming of inclusion and equity, including but not limited to inclusive education, gender equality, and education for peace and sustainable development.

In the recent expansion of the ECs, efficient administration and management is imperative to run the institutions smoothly and effectively. Among various programme activities, the STEM programme has been supporting MoE in projecting national teacher need and building scenarios using a tailor-made simulation model. A national resource plan was developed and presented to MoE for planning on resource allocation to support the upgrade of ECs. In parallel, capacity development workshops were organized to train MoE staff at the central level and at the institution level about how to use the simulation model to project teacher need and resource need.

Under the programme, planning and management skills of MoE staff will be further strengthened for better data-driven planning. Upcoming work of the programme will include providing technical assistance to support resource planning on upgrading individual ECs, systematically strengthening professional development opportunities for EC managers through development and delivery of continuing professional development activities in planning, financial and human resource management. Furthermore, other work includes providing opportunities for staff at ECs – and the Department of Higher Education (DHE), where applicable – to develop skills to use ICT for planning, administration, and management, including using Education Management Information System and simulation models to project teacher needs.

In addition, monitoring and evaluation is a crucial part in ensuring that the STEM programme is progressing towards the programme outcomes and outputs. Mechanisms are being strengthened to ensure value for money, reporting against outcomes and sustainability of the programme.

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, under the direct supervision of the UNESCO Myanmar Head of Office, and under the day-to-day guidance of the Senior Education Project Officer, the incumbent will work in close collaboration with the STEM programme team. The incumbent will be responsible for leading on the management and implementation of monitoring and evaluation of the programme and for providing technical assistance and programmatic support in the implementation of Outcome Area 3 of the STEM programme focusing on strengthening teacher education planning and management. Specifically, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities:

• Lead in monitoring and evaluation of the STEM programme implementation, including but not limited to developing a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework as well as value for money framework with input from the team and the stakeholders, compiling and analyzing data and evidence of the implementation progress, maintaining an up-to-date risk register and mitigation action plan, producing quarterly and annual progress reports including appropriate narratives and impact stories;
• Lead on technical guidance and management of contracted partners in monitoring and evaluation activities;

• Provide advice on the overall strategies under Outcome 3 of the STEM programme and assist in planning and implementing the activities according to the work plan;
• Design and deliver capacity development activities to support individual ECs to make use of the simulation models and related tools to project teacher need and resource need in preparation for the upgrade of each EC, working in collaboration with the technical expert from UNESCO Bangkok;
• Review and provide technical input on the draft Human Resources and Administration Manual and draft continuing professional development modules to strengthen planning, financial and human resource management of EC management and administration staff;
• Assist in producing meeting minutes, concept notes, briefing notes and presentation files, as well as reviewing programme documents and technical reports relating to the STEM programme, with focus on Outcome 3 activities;

• Support the organization of quarterly STEM Steering Committee meetings with MoE and donors;
• Work closely with the STEM Senior Project Officer to coordinate programme activities with MoE, ECs, Universities of Education, Development Partners, and donors;
• Assist  in drafting and reviewing terms of references and requests for proposals for consultancies and services, in accordance with the UNESCO’s administrative rules and regulations;
• Contribute to the development of advocacy and public information materials related to teacher education in Myanmar and STEM programme activities in general, and in particular to strengthening planning, financial and human resource management of ECs;
• Attend regular meetings with other STEM core staff to ensure effective coordination of activities across Outcome Areas;
• Across all STEM Outcome Areas, participate in strategic programming discussions and provide input to the design and conduct of research studies on pre-service teacher education reforms;

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, economics, public policy, international development, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in the field of education including development work of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning of programmes.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent organizational and programme management skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently on delegated tasks;
• Ability to work well with team members across different types of activities;
• Creative thinking and problem solving skills;
• Appreciation of diverse identities; and
• Excellent ICT skills with proficiency in the use of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written) and full proficiency in the Burmese.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in educational planning, management studies and/or public administration.

Work Experience

• Experience in working with education systems in post-conflict post-disaster countries;
• Experience in working with Myanmar’s education system;
• Experience in implementing capacity development and technical assistance activities for education sector in the Governments (such as Ministries of Education and sub-national departments of education);
• Experience within the UN System or international organizations.

Skills and competencies 

• Technical knowledge of education planning simulation models and education management information systems is preferred.

Languages

• Good knowledge of French would be and asset.
   

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

For more information in benefits and entitlements, please consult ICSC website.

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. 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.

Interested candidates should submit their application through UNESCO’s career portal by midnight Myanmar time (GMT +6:30) on 12 October 2020.