Education Project Officer (TVET)

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The EU-funded project ‘Skills Development in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan’, implemented by UNESCO since 2020, aims to improve the quality, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of skills development for rural youth and to align vocational training with industry needs. The projects is implemented under the umbrella of the UNESCO Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) 2022-2029 which aims to transform TVET for successful and just transitions.

The project’s overall objective is to enhance living standards in rural areas through better employability for women and men, and its specific objective is to equip women and men with relevant skills for the needs of a sustainable, diversified and modernized agriculture. The project’s activities will result in: (i) modernized and strengthened governance of skills development in the agriculture and irrigation sectors in line with the labour market demands; (ii) modernized qualifications and methodologies of skills development to serve the needs of the labour market, learners and workers in the agriculture and irrigation sectors; and (iii) modernized agriculture and irrigation colleges in rural areas with competent management and teaching staff using modern technologies and teaching and learning methods.

Furthermore, the project also focuses on leveraging capacity building for TVET teachers in mainly rural regions, by providing them with quality training and mentoring, and by facilitating their access to resources and networks. The project supports the government with quality assurance for TVET and TVET coordination, by developing and implementing quality standards and criteria, and by ensuring the alignment and complementarity of the TVET policies and programmes. The project aims to modernize pilot colleges across four different regions by providing support that spans from infrastructural enhancements and equipment provision to the development of curricula and teacher training. Beyond physical and academic improvements, the project is dedicated to facilitating collaborations between the colleges and the private sector. This intervention seeks to establish robust dual education systems and work-based learning experiences for students through partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED) and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the incumbent will provide technical support in the implementation of the project ‘Skills Development for the Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan’ in particular:

1. Develop and pilot standards and models for skills development in rural areas

• Conduct assessment and diagnosis of the needs and status of teaching, training, and learning at TVET colleges in rural regions, by leading needs assessments in pilot colleges and Centers of Excellence, labour market needs analysis, field visits, surveys, and interviews, and by collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and providing recommendations. Based on the results of the assessment and diagnosis, support the development of teaching and training materials.
• Ensure adaptation, development and piloting of demand-driven qualifications, and methodologies of skills, by identifying and addressing the skills gaps and needs of the labour market, the learners, and the workers, and by applying modern and effective pedagogical approaches and assessment methods.
• Contribute with the Senior Project Officer in establishing mechanisms for dual education including the insertion of work-based learning in TVET systems, recognition of prior learning and career guidance by conducting research, analysis, and consultation on the best practices and models, and by developing and implementing policies, tools, and systems to facilitate these mechanisms.

2. To modernize and strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of colleges in rural areas

• Contribute to overseeing and assuring the quality design and delivery of capacity building interventions regarding quality assurance for TVET and teacher ToT trainings in the project sites by working closely with government training institutions and experts, and by monitoring and evaluating the training outcomes and feedback.
• Liaise with and facilitate consultation between the relevant local authorities in Uzbekistan, other development partners, NGOs, suppliers and local community stakeholders as required, by maintaining regular and effective communication and coordination, and by ensuring their involvement and participation in the project activities and decision-making processes.
• Organize periodic stakeholder meetings and capacity-building workshops in order to ensure necessary competencies are transferred from experts to local practitioners.
• Undertake missions as necessary and requested for the project implementation in Uzbekistan, by preparing and submitting mission requests and reports, and by conducting field visits, meetings, and consultations with the project stakeholders and beneficiaries.

3. To contribute the effective and efficient management and coordination of the project

• Actively participate in the planning, development, and implementation of project activities within the project timeframe and in consultation with the project manager, ensuring alignment with the project objectives, outcomes and indicators.
• Recruit national and international consultants, prepare terms of references and manage the selection processes in close consultation with the Senior Project Officer
• Establishment, management and monitor, in consultation with the Senior Project Officer, contracts and relationships with multiple implementing partners/consultants/contractors covering the range of expertise required to successfully implement the activities, in compliance with the rules and regulations of UNESCO, by preparing and reviewing contractual documents, following up on the implementation and delivery of the contracts, assessing the quality of the services provided, and requesting and processing the disbursement of funds.
• Coordinate the quality assurance of the project, by developing and implementing quality standards and criteria, conducting internal and external evaluations, and ensuring continuous improvement and feedback mechanisms.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, social sciences or other relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience, of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level, in technical assistance and project management in the field of education, training or skills development.
• Work experience on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or skills development for employability.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Excellent coordination skills.
• Good knowledge of results-based and budget management tools.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads and meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to details and quality of work.
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Sensitivity to the local context.
• Excellent project implementation skills.
• Ability to work as part of an international team in a multicultural environment.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

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 $ 87,268.

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 11-APR-2024