National Project Officer (MHPSS and Inclusive Education Reform)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 2UAED 0002PA

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 deliver learning and advance reform amid war-related disruption, displacement, trauma, disability and widening inequalities. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is strengthening mental health and psychosocial support in education and advancing inclusive education so that learners, including children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, receive timely, coordinated and quality support.

UNESCO supports these priorities through policy advice, technical assistance, capacity development, evidence generation and implementation of extra-budgetary projects. The work links emergency response with sustainable system strengthening, including school psychological services, inclusive resource centres, teacher and school leader capacity, referral pathways, accessible and safe learning environments, and participation of learners and families.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Education at the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine, the National Project Officer will coordinate UNESCO's support to the ongoing MHPSS and inclusive education reforms in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The incumbent will serve as the principal technical and coordination focal point for this portfolio, ensure alignment with national priorities and UNESCO standards, and connect policy development with implementation, monitoring, learning and scale-up.

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Policy coordination and strategic planning: Coordinate UNESCO's technical support to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for the implementation of MHPSS and inclusive education reforms. Support joint workplans, reform roadmaps, coordination arrangements and the alignment of UNESCO-funded activities with national policies, legislation and sector priorities.
2. Technical advice and reform instruments: Provide and coordinate technical inputs for policies, standards, operational guidance, service models, referral pathways, training packages and other reform instruments. Promote rights-based, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, child-safe and evidence-informed approaches across education settings.
3. Programme management and quality assurance: Plan, coordinate and monitor related projects and contracts. Ensure timely delivery against approved workplans, budgets, results frameworks and donor commitments. Review technical outputs, identify implementation risks and bottlenecks, and initiate corrective action in consultation with the supervisor and national counterparts.
4. Capacity development and institutional strengthening: Coordinate capacity-building support for national and subnational authorities, school psychologists, inclusive resource centre specialists, teachers, school leaders and other education personnel. Promote sustainable supervision, professional support and institutional ownership of MHPSS and inclusive education services.
5. Monitoring, evidence and knowledge management: Develop and maintain indicators, monitoring tools and evidence products that track reform progress, service quality, reach and outcomes. Coordinate assessments, field monitoring and stakeholder feedback, document lessons learned and use findings to inform policy dialogue, programme adaptation and scale-up.
6. Partnerships, reporting and resource mobilization: Maintain effective coordination with government institutions, UNESCO units, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, academia and donors. Prepare high-quality briefs, reports, presentations and project proposals, and contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization for the portfolio.
7. Any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

Long Description

Level of independence and managerial control. The incumbent will work with substantial operational independence within approved project documents, workplans, budgets, UNESCO rules and national reform frameworks. The incumbent will provide technical recommendations and coordinate consultants, service providers and implementing partners. Formal personnel supervision will apply only where delegated. Major policy, safeguarding, reputational, financial and delivery risks will be referred to the supervisor.

Internal contacts. The UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine, the Education Sector at Headquarters, relevant field and regional offices, and programme, finance, procurement, communication and monitoring colleagues.
External contacts. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, other public institutions, regional and local education authorities, schools, teacher education institutions, inclusive resource centres, UN agencies, coordination groups, civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, academia, implementing partners, donors, learners, educators and families.

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, psychology, social work, public policy, sociology, disability studies or another field relevant to MHPSS and inclusive education.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in education reform, inclusive education, MHPSS in education, education policy, programme management or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating with government authorities and diverse national and international partners, and translating policy priorities into implementable plans, tools and programmes.
• Experience in project planning, results-based management, monitoring, budget follow-up, partner management and donor reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in policy design, development and coordination of its implementation, particularly in education sector.
• Experience in Ukraine, in a UN organization or in an emergency or recovery context is a strong asset.
• Experience working for the Ministry of Education and Science or other Governmental entities is a strong asset.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of education-sector governance, policy development and reform implementation, preferably in Ukraine.
• Sound understanding of MHPSS in education, inclusive education, disability inclusion, safeguarding, referral systems and the humanitarian-development nexus.
• Proven ability to facilitate policy dialogue, technical working groups and consultations, and to draft clear policy, programme and analytical documents.
• Strong understanding of Ukrainian ecosystem, both on central and regional levels
• Strong analytical, coordination, negotiation and partnership-building skills, with sound judgement in complex and sensitive environments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, monitor results and risks, and deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines.
• Excellent digital literacy and command of standard office, collaboration and data-management tools.

LANGUAGES

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

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.