Project Assistant
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
4 Full-time Close on 26 Feb 2026
Type of contract : Service Contract
Level : 4
Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station : Lusaka
Work location : On site
Duration of contract : 11 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline (Midnight UTC+2 Time) : 27/02/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
In 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) signed the UN2UN Agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to support the implementation of the formal education component of the ‘Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve the National Determined Contribution’ (FACE NDC)’ project which aims to empower all members of Zambian society towards achieving Zambia’s NDCs in across key sectors such as forestry, agriculture and energy. The FACE-NDC project is being implemented in partnership with 5 Consortium Members namely; FAO (lead partner), UNESCO, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU), drawing on the expertise and comparative advantages of each consortium partner. FACE-NDC is a seven-year project (2023–2030) and supports implementation of the National Climate Change Learning Strategy (NCCLS, 2019) by strengthening individual and institutional capacities.
In addition to the FACE-NDC Project, Zambia is also benefiting from UNESCO's Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Programme since 2016. The CapED Programme is an extra-budgetary funding mechanism and programme approach created in 2003. With an overarching capacity development approach, the Programme seeks to improve the quality of education and increase learning opportunities, especially for girls and women and disadvantaged population groups. Through the CapED Programme in Zambia, UNESCO aims to help the country 1). develop and implement robust teacher standards, frameworks and policies that provide a clear guidance to attract, develop and retain quality teachers for improved education service delivery through a shared vision of professional teaching competencies and career prospect; 2). build the capacities of colleges of education to deliver quality teacher training programmes that are gender-responsive, inclusive and relevant to better equip teacher educators and teachers.
UNESCO will organically combine the two wheels and help the Ministry of Education mainstream climate change education (CCE), education for sustainable development (ESD), gender-responsive pedagogy (GRP) in the curriculum and syllabus and develop relevant training materials in the framework of a comprehensive teacher policy. A blended approach will be used to enhance the skills and capacities needed to support the green transition.
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Director of the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) and the direct supervision of the Education Head of Unit, the Project Assistant will support and work closely with UNESCO’s National Project Officer for Education based in Lusaka, who is also the main coordination of the CapED Zambia. On a day-to-day operational basis therefore, the Project Assistant will support and report to the National Project Officer based on Lusaka. Specifically, the Project Assistant will be responsible for providing programme and administrative support to the “Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve the National Determined Contributions (FACE-NDC) project” as well as the CapED Programme in Zambia.
The incumbent shall perform the following tasks:
Programming work:
• Provide administrative and programmatic support towards effective and efficient implementation of the FACE-NDC under the Project Management Unit (PMU), CapED and EduTech Zambia Project, aligning with SDG goals and national priorities.
• Assist the National Programme Officer for education with monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to ensure alignment with UNESCO standards and FACE-NDC, CapED and EduTech Zambia project results matrices.
• Support planning, review, and monitoring of costed activity-based work plans and project budgets for effective implementation.
• Maintain financial and statistical data for quarterly and annual donor reports, including SISTER/UNESCORE/Core Manager entries.
• Coordinate and support the organization of meetings, events, and webinars related to programme activities.
• Support management of financial resources for FACE-NDC and CapED work plan activities, ensuring compliance with UNESCO policies and internal controls.
• Participate in internal and external meetings as required to represent programme interests.
• Assist in organizing and reporting on local and regional conferences, training sessions, and workshops.
• Support advocacy efforts to promote climate change awareness and behavior change at the country level.
• Assist in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and sustainability into the education sector.
• Collaborate with finance teams for reconciliation of activity funds and accurate financial tracking.
• Support the preparation of documentation, draft terms of reference, and coordinate logistics for meetings, capacity-building events, and communications with partners and stakeholders.
• Assist in the preparation of concept notes for resource mobilization.
Procurement:
• Develop and maintain a database of reliable consultants and service providers; and ensure proper utilization of this database to source quotations for the provision of goods and services in compliance with UNESCO's rules and regulations on procurement.
• Coordinate procurement of goods and services in accordance with project work plans, following principles set forth in UNESCO’s Administrative Manual to ensure competitive selection that achieves value for money.
• Procure tickets for staff and delegates attending scheduled regional programme events, assist and provide guidance in preparation of travel procedures.
• Draft contracts and collate supporting documentation in preparation of activities to be implemented in accordance with project work plans.
• Upload contracts to the organization’s contract management platform and take responsibility for end to end management of open contracts.
• Monitor and ensure that all conditions specified in established contracts are fully met by implementation partners or contractors, in consultation with relevant team members.
• Monitor and follow up on contracts to ensure deliverables are submitted timeously by
• implementing partners and or service providers as per established contracts, with escalation to relevant officers for arising issues
• Initiate payment upon satisfactory performance and/or delivery of goods or services
• Coordinate the review of contract deliverables, ensuring that all conditions specified in established contracts are fully met by partners or contractors before payment is released.
• Initiate payments upon satisfactory performance and/or delivery of goods or services.
• Conduct vendor due diligence and facilitate registration of new consultants and service providers as vendors in the global UNESCO vendor system and provide guidance to vendors to ensure compliance with UNESCO rules and regulations.
• Review and follow up on request for purchase orders submitted by the implementing partners;
• Prepare all international and in-country travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) requests and follow up on related payments and liquidations of outstanding advances of DSA paid to participants for events organised by UNESCO.
Programme reporting:
• Contribute to the preparation of progress reports and donor briefings, including annual and final reports for UNESCO ROSA and Headquarters.
• Provide guidance and interpretation of administrative rules, regulations and procedures.
• Manage and maintain an updated e-filing system to ensure efficient storage and retrieval of documentation relating to the programme and its operations; and ensure that these are available for making inputs to donor reporting as always required and audit purposes.
• Collect & collate data (both internally and externally); analyze and then communicate information in both verbal and written formats to team members, program beneficiaries and other stakeholders in support of the team’s objectives.
• Track reporting timelines for projects; upload quarterly reports, and provide support with evaluations
1 year, with possibility of extension depending on availability of funds and performance.
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
EDUCATION
Completion of secondary level education required. Minimum of first level university degree in Education, Finance, Economics, Demography, Development Studies, Public Administration or degree related to Climate Change Education or Education for Sustainable Development.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience in project implementation administrative support function.
• Good working knowledge and experience in education (especially in the field of teacher education and climate change education)
• Relevant experience in project management, implementation and reporting
• Work experience with an international organization or experience with the UN is considered as an added advantage
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Confident, assertive communicator who can work comfortably with diverse groups of people and across all levels.
• Ability to handle high volume of work effectively and function in a fast-paced environment, attention to detail.
• Ability to work as part of a team, to take initiatives and to provide quality and timely support and services.
• Knowledge of UN rules and procedures as well as administrative practices is an added advantage.
• Experience in working with government partners.
• Knowledge of procurement procedures and procurement experience.
• Able to prioritize work and manage deadlines.
• Experience in handling web-based IT business applications (Microsoft, Sharepoint, contract management software, travel management software etc.)
• Integrity/Commitment to mandate;
• Value Diversity
• Working in teams
• Communication information and ideas effectively
• Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning
• Conflict and self-management
LANGUAGES
• Fluency (oral and written) in English.
• Fluency local language will be a plus.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.
To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.
The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.
Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.
Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).
Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.
