Project Officer (Education)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 4AFED 0032PA

Grade: P-3

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 31/10/2026

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.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the Skills Development and Literacy (SDL) programme, the UNESCO Kabul Office has been implementing multiple projects supported by different donors including a new project “Improving Livelihoods of Women and Youth through Literacy and Skill Acquisition”. This new project empowers semi-literate adolescents, youth and adults, between the ages of 12 to 45 in four provinces across Afghanistan, by providing them with opportunities to acquire livelihood skills that are integrated with literacy training and gain knowledge and skills in libraries, communities, and vocational training centers. UNESCO is seeking a project officer to implement this new project and other similar projects under the SDL programme.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The project officer will adhere to UNESCO’s Administrative and Financial Manuals and Staff Rules to ensure efficient operations, mitigate potential risks, and minimize adverse impacts. The project officer will lead a team of 5-6 national staff members for project implementation and supervise international and national consultants recruited under the project. He/she will work closely with other project officers under the Skills Development and Literacy (SDL) Programme to ensure coherence and synergies across projects. The project officer will maintain regular internal and external communication with key stakeholders, including:

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall authority of the Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Head of Education at the UNESCO Office in Kabul, the project officer will be responsible for overall management of the project (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting):

1. Lead the implementation of the education project, ensuring overall efficiency and effectiveness in terms of programme planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and documentation of programme goals and objectives, including:

• Leading and managing the project team and ensuring quality and timely delivery of interventions, as per project work plan, including by coordinating technical as well as operational elements and facilitating activities in close consultation with relevant stakeholders and field operations.
• Maintaining an integrated work plan, results framework and risk register, and using them to identify delivery bottlenecks, agree corrective action with the project team and partners, and document lessons for adaptive management.
• Identifying potential local partners (non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector) for participation in the planning and execution of project activities.
• Planning and organizing procurement of goods and services and regularly monitoring its implementation.
• Working with the operations and procurement functions and colleagues to plan procurements for learning materials, skills toolkits, rehabilitation and equipment, and to monitor their delivery in accordance with UNESCO rules and the applicable donor agreement.

Long Description

• Identifying project implementation partners and providers of goods and services.
• Following up on the execution of contracts, assessing the quality of services provided and requesting disbursement of funds.
• Building synergies with other projects and activities of UNESCO in Afghanistan and relevant projects of other development partners in Afghanistan.

2. Ensure monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and the reporting on activities by:

• Leading the monitoring and evaluation of project activities, in close collaboration with the M&E team, reporting on progress and suggesting updates to the project implementation.
• Regularly monitoring the financial status of the project and promptly developing budget revision if needed.
• Preparing concise, evidence-based progress updates, progress reports, briefing notes and knowledge products for donors, as appropriate.
• Developing and ensuring the implementation of a communication and visibility plan of the project.
• Fostering exchanges of information, experience, identifying new strategies of action to improve delivery of services and to achieve the project requirements and objectives.
• Leading a project team, supervising and providing leadership, guidance and direction to the project team.

Long Description

3. Ensure effective technical coordination on project implementation by:

• Regularly communicating with the relevant external stakeholders to ensure smooth project implementation
• Serving as the project focal point for substantive coordination with donors, partners and stakeholders, including implementation progress, risks, visibility and opportunities to draw on lessons from non-formal education and skills-development initiatives.
• Leading relevant coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborating with other education teams at UNESCO in Afghanistan ensuring the complementary nature of the education interventions in the office.
• Participating in necessary external meetings to advocate for support of UNESCO action in Afghanistan including contributing to resource mobilization efforts.

Long Description

4. Staff recruitment and management: Preparing Terms of Reference (ToRs) and ensuring compliance with UNESCO HR policies during recruitment; Providing guidance and capacity development support to project staff to enhance performance and professional growth; Leading and managing a high performing team to ensure continuous improvement and timely, high-quality project implementation.

5. Knowledge management and visibility: Organizing and coordinating consultation, knowledge sharing and learning events; Developing and executing a visibility and communication plan for the project; Preparing and drafting project success stories, impact articles, briefings, publications and reports.

6. Coordination and partnership: Coordinating with internal teams, external partners, donors, and stakeholders to ensure synergy, effective collaboration, and maximized project impact.

COMPETENCIES (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)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of education, social sciences, development studies or a related area.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 4 years of relevant work experience in education and other related fields, of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level.
• Previous work experience in developing countries.
• Experience in leading and managing teams of professionals/experts in a multicultural work environment.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent understanding of development partners’ expectations and trends in the education sector.
• Excellent project management skills, including results-based management, financial management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Strong sensitivity and adaptability in post conflict countries and diversity (culture, gender, religion, race and nationality).
• Integrity, reliability and sense of commitment in the execution of duties.
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to draft clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships.
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work.
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (PhD) in the field of education, social sciences, development studies or a related area.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Relevant work experience in managing projects on literacy and non-formal education.
• Relevant work experience in the UN.
• Previous work experience in crisis-affected contexts.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of UNESCO’s mission and action in the position’s field.

• Demonstrated experience implementing, managing or providing technical support to JICA financed or Government of Japan-funded development cooperation projects, preferably in education, literacy, non-formal education, TVET, community development or livelihoods.

LANGUAGES

• Good knowledge of Japanese to facilitate communication with the donor and/or another UN language is an asset.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

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.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is USD 98 014.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

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).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.