OVERVIEW

Post Number : 6SNIEP0096PA

Grade : P-2

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Dakar

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) : 29-SEP-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

With more than 60 years of experience developing the capacity of member states, IIEP-UNESCO is the only specialized organization with the mandate to support education policy, planning and management in the UN system. UNESCO IIEP regional Office for Africa (IIEP-UNESCO Africa) contributes to this mission by producing rigorous analysis and data-driven evidence, developing cutting-edge analytical tools, and delivering technical assistance to identify, facilitate and promote the adoption of effective solutions to Africa's most pressing education challenges.

IIEP-UNESCO Africa has built a reputation as a centre of expertise on education sector analysis and the development of education sector plans. This mission aligns with the Education 2030 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. IIEP-UNESCO Africa’s range of interventions has recently extended into additional lines of work in planning and management for technical and vocational education training, education quality management, and gender equality. Modalities of intervention comprise technical cooperation, training, applied research and development, and outreach, in partnership with national, regional and international organizations.

Based in IIEP-UNESCO Africa office, the incumbent works under the overall authority of the Director of IIEP, the Head of IIEP Africa Office and under the direct supervision of the Senior Education Analyst. The incumbent contributes to implementation of the activities related to the analysis, planning, implementation, management, and monitoring of education and training policies in Africa for which he/she is responsible.

His/her outputs will be subject to internal review and validation procedures, as determined by the Head of the Office and the Senior Education Analyst. She/He supports those responsible for activities carried out in identified countries and produces work in conjunction with the mobilized country team.

Under the supervision of the relevant coordinator, the incumbent will contribute to the implementation of IIEP-UNESCO Africa's mandate by supporting country-level projects, research, training, and knowledge production activities. The main duties and responsibilities include:

1. Support to Technical Cooperation

• Assist national teams in the development, implementation, and monitoring of education and training policies and plans, including sector analyses and plans, costed action plans, simulation models, and M&E frameworks.

• Facilitate collaboration between country teams and IIEP’s internal units to ensure coherence and effective knowledge sharing.

• Liaise with ministries, national statistical offices, and development partners for data collection, validation, and contextual analysis.

• Support the preparation and organization of joint sector reviews, mid-term reviews, and sector coordination mechanisms.

• Participate in the design and delivery of technical cooperation projects, including drafting key documents and coordinating activities.

Long Description

2. Support to Capacity Development

• Contribute to the design and animation of face-to-face, online, and hybrid training initiatives for education sector stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of training materials adapted to diverse audiences and delivery modalities.
• Support national teams through hands-on guidance, coaching, and learning-by-doing approaches during technical missions and analyses.
• Reinforce internal knowledge-sharing and peer-learning processes among IIEP-Dakar staff.

3. Support the integration of cross-cutting themes

• Support policy dialogue and the integration of cross-cutting themes such as gender, equity, and crisis resilience.
• Support the launch and implementation of new initiatives (Inclusive Education, Teacher workforce planning, etc.)

4. Support to Research, Knowledge Generation and Mobilization

• Participate in the drafting of research reports, methodological guides, policy briefs, technical notes, etc. in both English and French.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of technical proposals under the IIEP’ Innovation and Foresight Fund initiative
• Contribute to updating IIEP Dakar indicators databases.

Long Description

5. Support to Communication and Dissemination

• Prepare clear and compelling materials (presentations, reports, visual summaries) to communicate research and technical findings.
• Adapt content and presentation styles to suit different audiences and cultural contexts.
• Represent IIEP in meetings, workshops, and conferences with national and international stakeholders.

6. Support to Resource mobilization

• Contribute to identifying, engaging, and managing relationships with donors, both existing and new, to support IIEP's priorities and initiatives.
• Contribute to securing funding through targeted engagement, proposal development, and negotiation of agreements.

7. Support to other duties

• Draft project documents, terms of reference, and contribute to contract management, reporting, and evaluation.
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned, in line with IIEP’s overall strategy and mandate.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, statistics, social sciences or related fields.

Work Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant working experience in the fields of sector analysis, planning and management of education systems, of which preferably one (1) year acquired at international level.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent knowledge of statistical and econometric techniques applicable to the education sector.
• Good knowledge of education systems in developing countries particularly in Africa and their associated challenges.
• Good knowledge of adult learning principles and design of targeted training materials
• Good knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools of education projects and programmes.
• Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of statistical software such SPSS, SAS, Stata and spreadsheets.
• Ability to undertake regular missions, especially in challenging environments
• Planning and Organizing: Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Communication skills: Effective written and verbal communication skills to convey complex gender concepts to diverse audiences.
• Teamwork skills: Ability to work individually and in teams within a multicultural environment.

Long Description

Languages

• Excellent command (written and oral) of English or French and written and oral proficiency in the other language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience in the design of education and training sector development plans and budgeted action plans.
• Previous experience in the field of African education systems.

Languages

• Knowledge of Portuguese, given IIEP activities in Portuguese speaking African countries.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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