National Project Officer - Fostering STEM Education in Africa and SIDS project
Honiara
- Organization: UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Location: Honiara
- Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Engineering
- Physics and Mathematics
- Education, Learning and Training
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Renewable Energy sector
- Children's rights (health and protection)
- Scientist and Researcher
- Project and Programme Management
- Closing Date: 2025-05-01
OVERVIEW
Post Number : 4SBED 0001PA
Grade : NO-B
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Honiara
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) : 01/05/2025
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.
(Only nationals of Solomon Islands may apply to this position)
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education equips learners with critical skills to solve complex problems and drive innovation. It is increasingly essential as many fast-growing industries—from water management and sustainable energy to data science—rely on STEM. STEM supports inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, and global efforts to address climate change, energy and food security, biodiversity loss, and poverty.
UNESCO’s Fostering STEM Education in Africa and SIDS project aims to develop and implement a quality STEM model in Mali, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Uganda. It supports relevant curricula, learning resources, and delivery structures based on national needs. A successful and scalable model will boost employability, spark innovation, and contribute to sustainable development in other countries.
Under the authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, the Director of the UNESCO Pacific Office, and the supervision of Programme Specialists, the incumbent will support project implementation. Duties include information collection, record maintenance, and preparation of materials for planning, monitoring, and reporting.
Long Description
1. PROGRAM AND PROJECT WORK
• Support project implementation aligned with objectives, SDGs, and national priorities, with emphasis on gender and inclusion.
• Provide logistical, administrative, and substantive support for activities, meetings, and missions.
• Track progress against work plans and performance indicators; prepare reports.
• Promote links between UNESCO’s STEM initiatives and national/regional efforts; support cross-sector collaboration.
• Assist Ministries of Education to integrate STEM into policy and school-level planning.
• Support reviews and research on STEM and gender-responsive pedagogies to document practices and inform curriculum and policy.
• Support capacity development for teachers, curriculum developers, and education officials.
• Share project findings with stakeholders to inform policy and curriculum updates, including via workshops and Communities of Practice.
• Assist with evaluations, reporting, and UNESCO-required briefings.
2. NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIPS
• Coordinate with colleagues across UNESCO, field offices, and project partners to ensure alignment and share insights.
• Engage with public/private stakeholders to support education policy, strategy, and M&E—including ministries, UN groups, NGOs, research bodies, and civil society.
• Support UNESCO’s engagement in education coordination groups in Solomon Islands to strengthen visibility and share practices.
3. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
• Draft concept notes and proposals based on needs assessments, aligned with UNESCO’s C/5 priorities. Collaborate on joint programmes and education funding (e.g., GPE).
• Support proposal development, identify funding opportunities, and ensure timely, quality submissions under Pacific Office guidance.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Project milestones achieved, as per the approved project results framework
- Monitoring and reporting: Project implementation reports, monitoring and evaluation reports
- Strategic partnerships built and sustained (national authorities, academia, UN agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector)
- Funds mobilized
- Synergies established between similar projects and initiatives
- Technical assistance provided to government institutions
- Media and communications products developed to promote the project’s visibility and disseminate its results
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies or related fields.
Work Experience
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in managing education projects, particularly concerning STEM education and gender-responsive pedagogy.
- Proven experience and understanding of the country, development work, teacher development and capacity building for education and working with the education sector.
Skills and Competencies
- Experience in supporting and coordinating project activities, preferably in large international organizations and with other international partner organizations.
- Strong skills in technical project management, event planning and presentation skills.
- Good written and oral communication skills, human relations and team building.
- Ability to interact with people from different disciplines, and with varying degrees of technical experience.
- Ability to manage budgets and report on implementation.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English is required.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Previous relevant professional experience with the United Nations or with Development Agency is an asset.
- Exposure to UNESCO and fields of competence, particularly education and the natural sciences.
- Experience in resource mobilization 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 215 756 SBD.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
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 an 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.
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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.