Project Officer (Education For Health and Wellbeing).

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)
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.