Project officer (Education for health and wellbeing)

Dakar

Organization: UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Location: Dakar
Grade:
Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- Education, Learning and Training
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: 2025-05-01

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 6SNED 0051PA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Field Office

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) : 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.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the general authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Director of UNESCO's Multisectoral Regional Office in Dakar and the Head of the Education Sector for West Africa, and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer of the Health and Well-Being Cluster in the Education Sector in Dakar, the Project Officer is responsible for providing technical expertise and contributing to the effective management, planning, implementation and monitoring of UNESCO projects promoting adolescent health and well-being through education. He or she will support the implementation of Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3), UNESCO's flagship programme on Education for Health and Well-Being (EHWB) in West and Central Africa (WCA). O3 aims to improve sexual and reproductive health, gender equality and educational outcomes for adolescents and young people. The project contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals on education, health and gender, while also contributing to the achievement of other key Sustainable Development Goals, in particular those relating to poverty, hunger and just and peaceful societies. More specifically, the post holder will:

Support project management: planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and resource mobilisation.
Provide technical support and capacity building to partners in the following areas: school health, prevention of violence in schools, including school-related gender-based violence, prevention and response to HIV and early and unintended pregnancies.
Establish and maintain partnerships and promote knowledge management, including representing UNESCO in various coordination forums.
Participate in the professional development and capacity building of UNESCO staff, support recruitment processes, and assist UNESCO offices in WCA.

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)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, social sciences, public health or a related field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

At least 4 years' relevant professional experience in at least two of the following areas: school health, school violence (including gender-based violence in schools), education sector planning or education policy development, inclusive education, gender equality, adolescent health, including two years at international level.
Project management experience in the field of education and/or health.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

Extensive professional knowledge in the field of education, particularly in relation to school health, school violence, gender-based violence, gender equality and adolescent health, with expertise in UNESCO's key leadership and mandate in health and well-being education.
Excellent organisational, networking and partnership building skills, tact and discretion.
Proven experience in implementing projects and programmes in collaboration with government and civil society partners.
Ability to manage budgets and report on implementation.
Experience in resource mobilisation.
High level of technical writing skills.
Strong strategic and analytical skills.
Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines, and to work under pressure.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of French (written and spoken) and good knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

PhD in education, social sciences, public health or a related field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

At least two years' experience working in sub-Saharan Africa or with entities based in sub-Saharan Africa.
Strong understanding of the region (WCA) and development cooperation.
Experience in developing and/or implementing school health policies.
Experience in ICT-based education or health programmes.
Experience in results-based programme management.
Experience in the United Nations system.

LANGUAGES

Good knowledge of Portuguese or another/other official UNESCO language(s) (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

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 105,949 US dollars.

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.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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