Data and Coordination Specialist

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level : SC5

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Damascus

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) : 05/07/2026

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

BACKGROUND

The protracted conflict in Syria has disrupted education systems, displaced millions, and placed significant strain on existing infrastructure. In such contexts, effective data and information management is a cornerstone for evidence-based decision-making, equitable resource allocation, and transparent monitoring.
Currently, education data systems in Syria face several challenges, including fragmented data collection, weak validation and verification processes, inconsistent indicator definitions, and insufficient data disaggregation. Staff at various levels of the Ministry of Education (MoE) have limited opportunities for capacity building, which further undermines evidence-based planning, monitoring, and the delivery of equitable quality education, particularly for displaced, marginalized, and vulnerable children.

To address these issues, the Syrian MoE has taken significant steps, including the development of the Modeer platform, a digital interface for school-level data reporting and management. However, it requires further strengthening in terms of indicator coverage, alignment with international standards, integration of ethical safeguards, robust data verification processes, and usability for planning and monitoring.

At the same time, strengthening the capacities of education personnel remains a key priority for the recovery and development of the education sector. Teachers and school leaders continue to require targeted professional development opportunities to address evolving educational needs, improve teaching and learning practices, and strengthen school leadership and management. Building institutional and human capacities is essential to ensure that reforms and investments translate into sustainable improvements in education delivery and learning outcomes.

To support the Syrian MoE to enhance the Modeer platform, ensuring it meets both national needs and global education standards, and to contribute to strengthening institutional capacities through professional development, the Data and Coordination Specialist will play a key role in effective data analysis and management in alignment with priorities of the Ministry of Education.

SCOPE OF WORK

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, the direct supervision of Education Programme Specialist, the Data and Coordination Specialist will be responsible for ensuring effective day-to-day coordination and communication among all relevant stakeholders involved in the project to support smooth implementation and timely delivery of UNESCO Syria Education Programme, including:
1. Acting as the primary technical focal point for daily coordination with designated counterparts within the Ministry of Education, ensuring continuous information flow, alignment of activities, and timely follow-up on agreed actions.
2. Acting as the focal point in Syria for the implementation of UNESCO Action Plan for Syria.
3. Translation of project objectives, workplans, and technical requirements into day-to-day operational actions in close coordination with MoE technical teams.
4. Facilitating regular technical exchanges, coordination meetings, and working-level consultations with MoE departments and other relevant stakeholders, including preparation of agendas, technical inputs, and summaries of key outcomes.
5. Monitoring day-to-day progress of project activities, and proactively identifying risks, delays, or bottlenecks requiring technical or managerial attention.
6. Providing ongoing technical advice and hands-on support to MoE counterparts in addressing operational data challenges arising during implementation.
7. Ensuring that feedback, decisions, and technical inputs from MoE are systematically documented, communicated to UNESCO, and reflected in project implementation.
8. Ensuring close coordinate with relevant UN agencies and education sector partners in the field of education, aligning project activities with existing UN coordination mechanisms and sector working groups, and promoting complementarity while avoiding duplication of efforts.
9. Preparing technical documentation, analytical outputs, and progress reports as required.
10. Additional activities that may be required to ensure the implementation of the project.
The Data and Coordination Specialist is expected to contribute to the following expected results:
• A national EMIS Roadmap is developed, informed by EMIS needs identification after conducting a comprehensive assessment.
• A harmonized set of core education indicators is deveoloped aligned with SDG4 and consistent with UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) reporting methodologies, to be integrated into the Modeer platform to ensure comprehensive coverage of access, quality, equity, and resources across Syria.
• A national framework for education data governance is set up with defined roles, responsibilities, ethical and data protection guidelines established, ensuring consistency, transparency, accountability and safe and ethical use of education data.
• The Modeer platform is enhanced through a comprehensive recommendation package to integrate comprehensive indicators, improve data disaggregation, validation, verification, and enable user-friendly reporting.
• The institutional and technical capacity is transferred to the Syrian MoE staff at central level in data management and effective use of data.
• A comprehensive, context-adapted capacity-building programme is developed and implemented targeting teachers and school leaders in Syria to upgrade professional teaching competencies, improving school governance and management capabilities.
• Other relevant activities under UNESCO Action Plan for Syria are implemented.

DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

1 year

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C) For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in Education, Data Science, Statistics, Information Management, Economics, Teacher Professional Development, International Development or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least four (4) years of relevant professional work experience in the field of education policy and planning, project coordination, education monitoring, research, evaluation, data analysis, database management, information management, EMIS, teacher professional development.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated understanding of education policy and planning, with ability to apply data management to support sector-wide decision-making and reform.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including very good writing skills.
• Good organizational, planning, monitoring, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team, to take initiative, and to provide quality and timely support and services.
• Discretion and capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with people from different cultural backgrounds.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.
• Capacity to work under pressure and respond to tight deadlines.

LANGUAGES

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

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in managing large datasets and producing analytical reports
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, GIS mapping)
• Experience working in fragile/humanitarian contexts (Syria or similar settings preferred).
• Familiarity with humanitarian data standards and information management systems (e.g., 4Ws, HNO/HRP processes).
• Experience working in teacher professional development.
• Experience in coordination with multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, international NGOs, governments, and donors.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Solid knowledge in education monitoring, core education indicators and SDG4 monitoring.
• Solid understanding of database management and interoperability, and experience in managing or supporting EMIS.
• Strong knowledge of statistical software (R, Python, SPSS, Stata) and database management (SQL, Excel).
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights.
• Strong knowledge of teacher professional development and capacity building.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT 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 personnel 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.
• 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.