JOB DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education

Duty Station: Apia Samoa

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff Contract

Duration of contract : 11 Months

Recruitment open to : External

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 15 November 2025

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

Overview of the functions of the Post

As the lead United Nations agency for education, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) guides global efforts to help countries achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

For over 40 years, the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States has been fostering sustainable development in the region through its programmes in education, social, human and natural sciences, culture, communication and information. Its work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, the SAMOA Pathway, UN Country Implementation Plans (CIPs) in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the UNESCO Pacific Strategy, and other key international and regional commitments.

The Individual Specialist will join the Education Sector team in the Pacific Office, providing full-time programme support to a portfolio of Global Partnership for Education (GPE)-funded projects, including the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative (CSESI) and System Transformation Grants (STGs) in Kiribati and Samoa.

Under the authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States and the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, the Individual Specialist will manage and advise on the design, coordination, and delivery of education programmes, ensuring strategic alignment with UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), Programme and Budget (C/5), global and regional frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, and the SAMOA Pathway, as well as with national education sector plans and strategies.

The Individual Specialist is expected to undertake the following tasks:

Long Description

Programme Design and Management

• In close coordination with the project team, design, plan, coordinate, monitor, and implement UNESCO’s contributions to PacREF Phase I, CSESI, and STGs in Kiribati and Samoa.
• Lead the transition from PacREF Phase I to Phase II, ensuring effective project closure and strategic continuity. This includes coordinating the completion and evaluation of Phase I activities; consolidating lessons learned, achievements, and best practices; and contributing to the preparation of final technical and financial reports. The incumbent will engage in high-level consultations with the GPE, ADB (Grant Agent), Implementing Agencies (IAs), and development partners to define UNESCO’s strategic positioning and role in Phase II. This will involve leading the drafting of concept notes, contributing to programme design and planning documents, and ensuring that UNESCO’s proposed interventions align with regional education priorities, PacREF governance structures, and GPE requirements.
• Align programme priorities with national education strategies, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, SAMOA Pathway, and relevant UN CIPs.
• Provide technical assistance to Ministries of Education on policy development, education sector analysis, and planning, in line with project goals.
• Promote cross-cutting values such as peace, inclusion, gender equality, and learner well-being, consistent with SDG 4 priorities.
• Ensure programme coherence across education and other UNESCO Field Offices, Headquarters, sectors, Institutes, and partners.
• Represent UNESCO in education coordination platforms as needed, and promote joint programming with UN and regional partners.
• Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the Director in support of key Education Sector priorities.

Long Description

Policy Advice

• Lead policy research and analysis to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in Pacific education systems.
• Provide technical and strategic policy support to Ministries of Education and development partners, identifying emerging trends and best practices.
• Facilitate intersectoral policy formulation in collaboration with UNESCO Institutes and other programme sectors.

Networking, Communication, and Partnerships

• Ensure UNESCO”s representation and active participation in the PacREF IA Fono and other regional education coordination mechanisms. This includes serving as the primary point of contact for UNESCO in multi-stakeholder meetings, coordinating with IAs, GPE, and other development partners to advance joint decision-making and alignment of programme priorities.
• Strengthen partnerships and communication to enhance visibility and impact of UNESCO’s education work in the Pacific.
• Coordinate with national, regional, and international partners, including universities, research institutes, and development organizations, to support education policy development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Mobilize and coordinate partnerships aligned with PacREF goals.

 

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Assist in overseeing the monitoring and evaluation plan and activities for projects, in close coordination with the project team and international experts, to ensure that results are aligned with performance indicators of the projects and initiatives.
• Lead and ensure timely reporting, including regular updates in Core Manager, PacREF IRIS reporting, and submissions to GPE, ADB, PacREF Facilitating Unit and other relevant partners.

Short Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Building partnerships (M)

Driving and managing change (M)

Leading and empowering others (M)

Making quality decisions (M)

Managing performance (M)

Strategic thinking (M)

Planning and organizing (C)

–

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Required Qualifications

Education – Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, international affairs or international development cooperation.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the management of education projects, of which preferably 5 years acquired at international level.
• Strong familiarity with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SDG-Education 2030, and related international and Pacific regional education frameworks.

Analytical and Technical Skills: Demonstrated ability to provide expert advice on education policy and strategy, develop concept notes and programme designs, and produce high-quality, results-oriented analytical reports and policy recommendations.

Strategic Foresight: Proven ability to anticipate emerging trends, needs, priorities, and risks in the education sector and translate them into actionable programme interventions.

Programme Management: Strong skills in full programme cycle management, from design and implementation to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Long Description

Stakeholder Coordination: Proven capacity to engage and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, development partners, platforms, and donors, building partnerships and mobilizing resources effectively.

Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise reports, presentations, press releases, blogs, and human-interest stories.

Leadership and Teamwork: Ability to lead, manage, and motivate teams, supervise staff performance, and foster a collaborative work environment.

Administrative Knowledge: Familiarity with the administrative rules, procedures, and operational frameworks of international organizations and the UN system.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

 

Desirable Qualifications

Education

• Advanced qualifications in any of these areas: education planning and management, teacher training and development, programme management, education statistics, early childhood care and education, ICT in education, climate change education.

Work Experience

• Experience providing technical support to Ministries of Education in the Pacific region at local, national, and international levels in areas relevant to the position.
• Experience coordinating education projects in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Skills and Competencies

• Familiarity with monitoring and managing multi-country, multi-partner, and multi-stakeholder education projects and programmes.

Languages

• Knowledge of Pacific languages is an asset.

Timetable and Deliverables

The Individual Specialist will be engaged for the period November 2025 to October 2027 (tentative). The main deliverable for this consultancy will be a monthly report outlining key achievements, progress against planned milestones, challenges encountered, and recommendations for follow-up actions. These reports will serve as the primary tool for monitoring performance and ensuring that the consultancy effectively contributes to the objectives of the assignment.

Location and Travel

The Individual Specialist is expected to be based at the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States in Apia, with periodic travel to the Suva Antenna Office.

The Individual Specialist will also be required to undertake official travel related to project implementation. Travel will be in economy class, and a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at the standard UN rate will be provided. The DSA may be adjusted if the number of travel days exceeds the limits specified in the ICSC table of rates and is payable only for travel outside the duty station.

Application Process:

Interested individuals are invited to submit the application and requirements through the UNESCO Careers website at https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl.

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the submission, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.

• Short approach to work (maximum 3 A4 pages) identifying the specific components of these TORs and how the intended objectives/outputs/delivery shall be addressed, and including specific references to relevant examples of successfully undertaking equivalent or comparable assignments.
• The proposed daily rate or the amount to be charged in consultancy fees for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD. Travel expenses should be calculated and indicated separately from the Individual Specialist fee.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements.

From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.

Assessment

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
• Evaluation of qualified applicants will include the review of the curriculum vitae, technical proposal, and proposed consultancy fee.

Notes:

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at [email protected].
• Queries of a technical nature about these TORS may be directed to: [email protected].

 

Footer

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements