Programme Specialist (Education)

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 4INED 0003RP

Grade: P-4

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: New Delhi

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 10/12/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia in New Delhi, the incumbent serves as a Programme Specialist responsible for developing, planning and managing the Education Programme in the countries covered by the Office through policy development, coordination and implementation of all related activities and projects in line with the established priorities.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The incumbent also undertakes the role of Team leader in managing, supervising and guiding the Education team to ensure the delivery of programme initiatives and project activities, from mobilizing resources and funding proposals to project design to evaluation and reporting. S/he works within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and contributes to the implementation of the Education Sector Strategy, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal 4 – Quality Education (SDG 4). Within this context, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Programme design, management and assessment:
• Design, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of activities and projects within the framework of UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy (C/4), and the Approved
• Programme and Budget (C/5), in addition to global development plans, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), whilst ensuring their consistency with the national priorities of the Member States.
• Implement the education component of the UNESCO Regional Support Strategy for South Asia.
• Provide expert technical assistance and capacity development of education projects to Member States and deliver intellectual and strategic advice to Ministries of Education upon request on the preparation of country level co-operation plans.
• Link UNESCO's education initiatives at the national, regional and global levels, and identify and operationalize intersectoral collaboration opportunities in cooperation with development partners, stakeholders, and UNESCO Headquarters and other Field Offices.
• Participate in joint UN programming activities related to education and pursue and maintain strategic partnerships to promote the technical contribution of UNESCO to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and related UN Country Team working groups in an effort to advance programmatic work for the benefit of the region and in line with the Organization’s core mandate.
• Engage in interdisciplinary work within the multisectoral team effort of the Regional Office for South Asia, particularly with regards to the educational dimension of 2030, Sustainable Development Goals and UNSDCF development, and formulate and implement cross-cutting projects which may lead to the identification of expanded joint programming opportunities.
• Undertake regular monitoring and evaluation of and report on regular programme activities and extra-budgetary projects, and ensure corrective action is taken to resolve project and programme implementation issues to improve the quality and relevance of education.

Long Description

2. Policy advice:
• Provide policy advice and technical assistance and backstopping to countries covered by the Regional Office for South Asia on education sector analysis, plan development and management, implement research and analytical work in response to national, regional or global issues and challenges, and identify and provide additional support to Ministries of Education in line with the Education Strategy upon request.
• Advocate for and engage in policy dialogue with education authorities and other stakeholders for the countries covered by the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia in New Delhi.

3. Networking, Communication, Knowledge Management and Partnerships:
• Mobilize, coordinate and expand networks with strategic partners working on education to support Member States in the South Asian region and organize consultations and capacity development activities in the fields of Education programme.
• Leverage relationships within and across teams at UNESCO while building external partnerships and mobilizing resources to promote and increase the visibility of UNESCO’s programmes, projects and activities.
• Coordinate and ensure synergies with public and private partners, Regional Economic Communities, UNCTs, research institutions, multi and bilateral agencies and civil society organizations for the promotion of quality and relevant education in the region.

Long Description

4. Resource mobilization:

• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive communication and resource mobilisation strategy with particular reference to the assets, potential and outreach of the team under his/her supervision.
• Mobilize resources to support the Regional Education Programmes and the advancement of the education system in the countries covered by the Regional Office for South Asia, through the preparation of project proposals and diligent negotiation with donor agencies and other partners in South Asia.

5. Project, Activities and Team Member Management, Assessment and evaluation:

• Act as Team Leader of the Education Unit and ensure the efficient execution of budgetary resources allocated to the Education portfolio, and provide guidance, technical backstopping, supervision and capacity development to its staff members.

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)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, economics, social science, development studies or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible, relevant professional experience in the field of education of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level.
• Proven experience in designing, implementation and monitoring education policies, strategies and programmes.
• Experience of working with government counterparts and organized education stakeholders. Proven experience in education research, evaluation and data-driven reporting.
• Experience in fundraising and resource mobilization.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Deep knowledge of development issues and challenges in education systems in Asia and the Pacific region.
• Proven ability to draft high quality, clear, concise, evidence-driven documents and reports.
• Demonstrated skills in the negotiation and effective engagement with development partners and donors.
• Excellent coordination, interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, management and organisational skills. Ability to manage multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to deal with uncertainty and change.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Long Description

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

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 110 888 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.