The Section supports coordination across UNESCO to ensure coherence, complementarities and synergies within UNESCO’s Education Sector and across UNESCO programme sectors, field offices and institutes, as well as with external partners. It also leads and contributes to many initiatives aiming for collective action with civil society, academia, bilateral and multilateral agencies and the private sector to advance gender equality in and through education. The Section also supports capacity-development of the gender architecture of the Education Sector to ensure sufficient capacity for mainstreaming gender equality in UNESCO’s assessment, planning and proposal development processes, as well as in monitoring, evaluation and communication of work on gender equality in and through education.
One priority area of UNESCO’s work on gender equality in and through education is advancing girls’ participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The PA will be responsible for implementing, monitoring and reporting on sectional and cross-sectional and -divisional, regular and extra budgetary, projects and programmes on girls’ participation in STEM education as well as identifying potential collaborations and opportunities for resource mobilisation.
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, the guidance of the Director of the Division for Education 2030 and direct supervision of the Chief of the Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality (ED/E30/IGE), the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:
Programme Development and Management:
Lead on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting on sectional and cross-sectional and -divisional, regular and extra budgetary projects and programmes on girls’ participation, learning and retention in STEM education;
Oversee the articulation of the UNESCO’s programmes on girls’ education in STEM within the UNESCO programme on gender equality in and through education, including the development of work plans and activity reports following UNESCO’s administrative system and reporting frameworks;
Monitor the budget and contractual arrangements of programmes, events and projections on this thematic area in line with UNESCO’s regulations and procedures;
Coordinate the technical and logistical planning of meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops organized or co-organized by the Section on this thematic area.
Coordination, Partnership and Resource Mobilization:
Coordinate the Section’s management of the programme of work on girls’ participation in STEM education within UNESCO’s Education Sector and across UNESCO programme sectors, field offices and institutes;
Establish and reinforce professional linkages with other parts of UNESCO (including relevant institutes, regional bureaus, etc.), research and government institutions in Member States, key organizations and professional networks, in the field of girls’ education in STEM;
Advocate for, and lead multi-partner collaborative initiatives in the areas of research, policy, capacity-development, curriculum, digital skills development, mentoring and role models to enhance girls’ education in STEM;
Contribute to the Section’s resource mobilization initiatives by playing an active role in initiating and fostering relationships, identifying and engaging with potential donors, and preparing project proposals on this thematic area.
Technical Expertise and Policy Advice:
Provide advice to governments, peers, management and colleagues on a variety of subject specific items, such as tools, resources and policies;
Contribute expertise to the substantive aspects of UNESCO’s work on STEM education: collecting and analysing data and information to fill knowledge gaps and conducting situation and trend analyses to recommend particular courses of action based on findings;
Coordinate publications and research initiatives and review research reports for quality assurance, prepare policy briefs and propose policy recommendations for the advancement of girls’ participation, learning and retention in STEM education.
Representation, Advocacy and Communication:
Represent UNESCO upon request by the Chief of Section, in meetings, conferences or events requiring UNESCO’s participation;
Oversee the ongoing development of communication products, including ensuring regular contributions to web and printed content and dissemination to colleagues, peers and stakeholders;
Support the work of the Section’s Communications Officer, providing guidance on communications and advocacy campaigns, social media and other communications activities on this thematic area.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
Advanced university degree (at least Master or equivalent) in education, social sciences, public policy, international development or other related areas.
Work Experience:
Minimum of 7 years of progressively relevant experience in the coordination of development programmes or project management in the area of STEM education, with a a focus on girls’ participation, of which preferably 3 years are acquired at the international level.
Experience in project coordination, and dealing with partners and networks in education and gender equality.
Skills:
Strong project management and analytical skills, result-oriented approach, and ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks, and familiarity with the use of theory of change and results framework.
Ability to provide technical assistance on the integration of gender equality in programme and policy design, delivery and monitoring and evaluation.
Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and team cooperation.
Good knowledge and understanding of the international development agenda, in particular in the field of education and gender equality.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively deal with partners and networks in private and public sectors in education and teacher development.
Excellent level of IT skills (MS Office) and communication management;
Languages:
Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English or French and good knowledge of the other.
