OVERVIEW
Position Number: IEP/PA/165
Grade: P-1
Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Education
Contract Type: Project Appointment
Duration of contract: 1 year
Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates
Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 03/07/2026
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
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
As the only specialized organization with the mandate to support educational policy, planning and management, the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) plays a unique role within the United Nations system. IIEP was established in 1963 as an integral part of UNESCO. It supports ministries of education and their partners around the world to plan and manage education systems through four types of capacity development programs: training, technical assistance, research and development, and knowledge sharing. The Institute launched its new Medium-Term Strategy (2026-2029) in November 2025. IIEP has offices in Paris, Dakar, and Buenos Aires. IIEP draws on voluntary contributions from core donors and project funding to achieve its goals and objectives.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Director of IIEP and the direct supervision of a Senior Education Specialist, and within the framework of the Institute’s Medium-Term Strategy, the incumbent will support implementation of a variety of country facing technical cooperation projects in educational planning and management, and to contribute to analytical work, training programmes, and knowledge sharing activities.
Candidates should have expertise in two of the following three areas:
- Supporting education sector planning, including education sector analysis and the development of multi-year-costed plans and MEL frameworks
- Development and implementation of complex capacity development programs to support ministries of education.
- Planning for Early Childhood Education
Long Description
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:
Support member states (MS) in the development, implementation, and monitoring of education sector analysis, plans, policies.
- Support the development of education sector, sub sector (in particular Early Childhood Education) and thematic diagnoses and analysis.
- Support the development and implementation of education sector plans including operational plans and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Support the development of education policies.
- Support the discussion with Ministries of Education (MoE) officials within the framework of educational policy tradeoffs and the development of national strategy documents (i.e., education policy documents, simulations models, education sector plans, action plans, etc.)
- Support the development of management and monitoring tools and the preparation of joint sector reviews or mid-term reviews
Assist in the development and implementation of training initiatives to support the professional development of education stakeholders, including officials in charge of education and training, in the areas of education planning and management
- Contribute to the design of new training courses and capacity development programmes in educational planning and management and related topics, including Early Childhood Education
- Support the development of training materials including readers, activities and assessments.
- Support the implementation/facilitation, monitoring and evaluation of training activities educational planning and management
Long Description
Contribute to the production and dissemination of knowledge on education sector planning, analysis and management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of education sector reforms:
- Contribute to the development of methodological guides and tools on education planning, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and drafting of pieces of research on education analysis, planning, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation.
- Contribute to the update of IIEP’s website and interactive space for documentation and exchanges around education and training policies (digital bibliography, statistics, policy documents, etc.)
Assist in the management of IIEP’s technical cooperation portfolio
- Support project & related contract development and drafting, implementation, reporting and monitoring and evaluation
Long Description
Long Description
COMPETENCIES - Core (C)
- 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, international development, or related areas
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Less than 2 years of relevant professional experience in areas related to educational planning
- Experience in the development of education sector analyses
- Experience in the development of education sector plans, including costed multi-operational plans and MEL framework
- Expertise in educational planning for the early childhood education sub-sector
- Experience in developing and implementing tailor-made training programs targeting professionals working in education administrations, in areas related to educational planning.
- Experience in evidence-based educational research, policy reviews or data analysis.
Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Excellent analytical skills and knowledge and understanding of global education-related issues, in the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda, Our Common Agenda and other major multilateral frameworks.
- Ability to draft high-quality, clear and concise analyses, studies and reports.
- Ability to draft concept notes and project proposals.
- Excellent coordination, negotiation and presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to maintain effective working relations within a multicultural environment and team.
- Demonstrated capacity to work under tight deadlines.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent level ( verbal and written) of English. Working knowledge of French will be an asset.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Expertise in education data management and analysis, including EMIS and assessment data
LANGUAGES
- Knowledge of another UNESCO official language
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, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 67 723 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.
