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National Project Officer (Education)

Unesco

Erbil, Iraq

Posted on May 20, 2026

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 5IQED 0027PA

Grade: NO-B

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Erbil

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 03/06/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

1 year contract with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

In December 2024, UNESCO and the European Union signed the three years Phase 3 of the TVET reform project “Green and Digital TVET for EnhancingEmployability in Iraq”. Phase 3 will mobilize the institutional and technical expertise of UNESCO to support the Government of Iraq in enhancing theimplementation of the Iraqi National Education Strategy targeted future-oriented skilling, reskilling, and upskilling activities focusing on greening anddigitalization. This dynamic programmatic approach will enhance the employability of Iraqi youth, young women, disadvantaged groups (includingInternally Displaced Persons IDPs), returnees, and refugees. And contribute to Iraq’s resilience to climate change.
The project is under the overall Supervision of the Chief of Education, and the TVET 3 Project Manager on a day-to-day basis.
The Project will enhance the employment of Iraqi youth from 8 Technical Universities and Polytechnics, 8 Vocational schools, and 2 Vocational TrainingCenters by creating centers of Vocational Excellence that have strong labour market links, revised curricula and pedagogy, and a student-centredapproach.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Main duties and responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Iraq Office and the direct supervision of the Project Officer and Chief of Education, thecandidate shall carry out the following, but not limited to, functions:
1. Project Implementation and coordination
Prepare detailed work plans, task descriptions, budgets and output indicators for projects.
Implement project activities within established work plans and report progress against predefined performance indicators ensuring alignment with theoverall objectives of the Green and Digital TVET for Enhancing Employability in Iraq project.
Coordinate project activities across the targeted regions within the project, ensuring the project’s goals are met in each region through activecollaboration with local TVET institutions.
Oversee implementation, identify constraints, and propose measures to improve country level operations and delivery of project outputs.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant governmental directorates and local authorities in the targeted areas. that will include Directoratesof Vocational Education, Directorates of Vocational Training, Vocational Schools, Vocational Training Centers, and Technical Universities.
Foster relationships with key stakeholders, including other active agencies, local CSOs, and sectoral councils across the identified regions. ensuringupdating the TVET activity matrix especially that related to greening and digitalization.
Facilitate close working relationships and exchanges with national Institutes, ministry, National Commission, education stakeholders and networks forproject design, development and implementation and reporting.
3. Project Monitoring and Reporting
Track and report on implementation using relevant tools including the System of Information on Strategies, Tasks and the Evaluation of Results(SISTER)/Core manager.
Assist in the preparation of project reports, progress updates, and presentations focused on the activities and achievements of the TVET institutions ofthe targeted regions, as requested by the Chief of Education and Project Manager
Support the project manager in ensuring accurate and timely documentation of project activities, lessons learned, and best practices from TVETinstitutions in targeted regions.
Monitor project progress and outcomes, including the development of green and digital curricula and the establishment of Career DevelopmentCentres, particularly in TVET institutions in the target regions.

4. Budget Monitoring and Controlling
Monitor the correct use of budget codes per expenditure.
Advise on the need to transfer funds between budget lines. Liaise with the Project assistant to ensure all contractual procedures are correctly followedand recorded, and all necessary files/documents are saved in an orderly file structure to facilitate future audits.
Monitor project, activity and programme implementation and outputs within the project, as assigned, ensuring that UNESCO’s work is implemented ina timely, coherent and integrated manner consistent with sector-wide development frameworks.
5. Facilitate Qualitative Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer Events
Assist in organizing and facilitating capacity-building workshops tailored for TVET trainers, administrators, and stakeholders in the identified regions,ensuring that they acquire the necessary skills for sustainable project implementation. With maintaining a high level of visibility.
Contribute to the creation and dissemination of training materials, guidelines, and tools for both teachers and students in the green and digital TVETsectors across the targeted TVET institutions.
Provide substantive, logistical and administrative support to projects, consultations, meetings, events and missions.

Long Description

6. Prepare Project Documentation and Progress Reports
Contribute to the design of project and activities performance/ progress monitoring and reporting both internally and to project donors.
Contribute to public information and outreach tasks, writing, inputting to social media, hosting information points, facilitating exchanges/ meetings.
Check contractor and consultant monthly reports and invoices against the agreed deliverables or rates of pay, in compliance with the rules andregulations of UNESCO.
Organize and track the logistics for all consultant visits, meetings and capacity-building workshops in order to ensure necessary competencies aretransferred from experts to local practitioners.
Support the project manager in preparing the quarterly progress reports and donor reports by providing the required statistics and updated financialstatus, supported by pictures and other certified resources.
7. Conduct Follow-up Field Missions
Undertake regular field missions to TVET institutions in targeted areas to monitor activities, engage with local stakeholders, and provide support foron-the-ground implementation of project activities and as necessary and requested for project implementation in Iraq and elsewhere.
8. Perform Additional Duties o Support additional tasks as requested by the Director, Chief of Education, and the Project team tofurther project goals.

Long Description

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

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 education, social sciences, engineering, or closely related field(s). A first-level university degreein the field of education, in combination with two additional years of qualifying professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanceduniversity degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in education, particularly in the field of TVET, or closely related fields (4 years with first-level university degree).

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Excellent organizational and prioritization skills: the ability to manage sub-contracted implementing partners, organize multiple and simultaneoustasks, and deliver results within a specified timetable.
Sound understanding of results-based management and monitoring and evaluation principles.
Proven interpersonal, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
Demonstrated ability to work efficiently under pressure within a multicultural environment and as part of a team.
Demonstrated proficiency in basic office software tools (MS Office suite) and use of relevant IT solutions.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of Arabic and English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

Experience within the UN entity.
Working experience with the MoE (Ministry of Education) and MoHESR (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research).
Experience in education, training and teacher’s capacity building.

Languages

Knowledge of the other UNESCO official languages (French, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

Long Description

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, medicalinsurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 56 966 USD.

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.

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