National Project Officer (Education)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 2UAED 0003PA

Grade: NO-C

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kyiv

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 27/07/2026

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

INSTRUCTIONS

Only nationals of Ukraine may apply to this position.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Ukraine's education system continues to operate and reform amid the effects of the ongoing war, including displacement, damaged infrastructure, interrupted learning, demographic change and growing inequalities. UNESCO supports the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and other national partners through a portfolio that links emergency response, recovery and longer-term system strengthening across teacher development, mental health and psychosocial support, inclusive education, digital learning, education governance, school safety, technical and vocational education and training, higher education, and lifelong learning.

The Education Sector of the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine manages multiple extra-budgetary projects funded by bilateral and multilateral partners. Effective delivery requires coherent portfolio planning, close coordination with government and implementing partners, rigorous results and financial monitoring, timely reporting, risk management, knowledge sharing and resource mobilization.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Education, the National Project Officer (Education) will provide cross-portfolio programme support, coordinate projects specifically assigned by the supervisor, and contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNESCO's education programme in Ukraine. The incumbent will maintain close working relations with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, national and subnational authorities, UNESCO Headquarters, donors, UN agencies and education partners, in addition to relevant programmes within the UNESCO Antenna for intersectorial programming. When requested and within delegated authority, the incumbent will act as Deputy to the Head of Education, including serving as Officer-in-Charge during absences when formally designated, to ensure continuity of programme coordination and team operations.

Long Description

Level of independence and managerial control. The incumbent works with substantial operational independence within approved project documents, budgets, UNESCO rules and the direction of the Head of Education. The post holder manages assigned projects, coordinates portfolio inputs and takes routine implementation and corrective decisions. Material budget changes, contractual commitments, sensitive policy positions, high risks or deviations from approved plans are referred to the supervisor. The incumbent provides functional coordination to project staff, consultants and partners. Deputy or Officer-in-Charge functions are exercised only when formally delegated.
Internal and external partnerships.

Internal contacts include the Head of the UNESCO Antenna, the Head of Education, education colleagues in Kyiv and at Headquarters, and programme, finance, administration, procurement, communications and monitoring functions. External contacts include the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, other authorities, education institutions, donors, UN agencies, coordination groups, international financial institutions, civil society, academia, private-sector actors and implementing partners.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Portfolio coordination and support to the Head of Education: Support planning and review of the full education portfolio. Consolidate workplans, results frameworks, budgets, schedules and risk information. Track management decisions and cross-project follow-up, identify bottlenecks and dependencies, and prepare concise analysis and recommendations.
2. Management of assigned projects: Coordinate projects assigned by the Head of Education from inception to closure. Manage workplans, budgets, results, risks, contracts and partner performance; coordinate project teams, consultants and service providers; verify delivery against approved commitments; and initiate corrective action when quality, timeliness or compliance is at risk.
3. Programme development and technical quality: Contribute to sector analysis, needs assessments, programme design and results-based planning. Prepare or coordinate technical inputs, concepts, proposals, terms of reference, partnership documents, briefs and policy materials. Ensure alignment with national priorities, UNESCO standards, equity and inclusion, and the humanitarian-development-recovery nexus.
4. Monitoring, resource oversight and reporting: Maintain systems for monitoring results, indicators, budgets, procurement, contracts, partner performance and risks. Conduct field monitoring and technical support missions. Prepare internal and donor reports, briefings, presentations and data summaries, and coordinate with finance, administration and procurement colleagues to resolve delivery issues.
5. Partnerships and resource mobilization: Maintain cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and other concerned main ministries, other public institutions, donors, UN agencies, coordination mechanisms, civil society, academia and implementing partners. Represent UNESCO within delegated authority and support policy dialogue, donor engagement, proposals, partnerships, visibility and communication of results.
6. Deputy and team coordination functions: When requested and within delegated authority, act as Deputy or Officer-in-Charge, coordinate daily priorities and information flows, convene team meetings, follow up actions and represent the Education Sector. Escalate strategic, financial, security, reputational or policy matters requiring higher-level decision, provide functional coordination without changing reporting lines, and perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor.
7. Perform any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

Long Description

Long Description

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, education policy and planning, public policy, economics, social sciences, international development or another field relevant to the functions of the post.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in education programme or project planning, management, monitoring, evaluation or policy support, preferably at national and international levels.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating multi-partner or donor-funded projects, including work planning, results-based management, budget follow-up, contracting or partner oversight, risk management and reporting.
• Experience working with government authorities and translating national policy priorities into implementable programmes, projects and technical assistance.
• Experience in Ukraine, with UN organizations or another international organization, and in emergency, recovery or system-strengthening contexts is a strong asset.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of education-sector planning, policy analysis, programme design and project-cycle management, including results frameworks, indicators, monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Sound understanding of Ukraine's education system, reform priorities and institutional landscape, and of the effects of conflict, displacement and inequality on education access, quality and learning.
• Proven ability to coordinate diverse teams and partners, facilitate meetings, negotiate practical solutions and maintain constructive relations with senior government officials, donors and technical counterparts.
• Strong analytical judgement and ability to identify implementation, financial, operational, safeguarding and reputational risks and recommend proportionate action.
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills, including preparation of project proposals, donor reports, briefs, talking points, analytical notes and management updates.
• Ability to organize competing priorities, work independently under pressure, maintain confidentiality and provide reliable continuity of operations when exercising delegated deputy functions.
• Excellent digital literacy and command of standard office, project-management, collaboration and data-management tools.

• Accountability, communication, teamwork, innovation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, planning and organizing, results focus, building partnerships, and professionalism.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement, coordination of people and performance, and ability to empower colleagues when exercising delegated responsibilities.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent written and spoken English and Ukrainian. Knowledge of another UNESCO official language is an asset.

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 59 583 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.