EDUCATION PROGRAMME SPECIALIST (TEACHER DEVELOPMENT)
OVERVIEW
Post Number : ED 625
Grade : P-4
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Fixed Term
Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 11-APR-2024
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
UNESCO’s Section for Teacher Development works to ensure that every learner is taught by qualified, motivated, and empowered teachers and to enhance their status, professionalization and working conditions. For that purpose, the Section provides advice and support to national governments to facilitate the formulation and implementation of policies which promote effective teacher recruitment, retention and professional development. This includes supporting countries and teacher education institutions to deliver quality and equitable teacher education and continuous professional development in key areas, including digital skills and pedagogical competencies for online, remote and hybrid education, gender transformative and innovative pedagogies including social and emotional learning, education for peace, sustainable development, and global citizenship.
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), guidance from the Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learnig Systems, and under direct supervision of the Chief of Section for Teacher Development (ED/PLS/TED), the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the development and delivery of a wide spectrum of projects within UNESCO’s Programme for Teachers, including the formulation, coordination and report of implementation activities of regular and extra-budgetary programmes. The incumbent will lead the Section’s work on teacher education and professional development, and will support the transformation of teaching and learning in-line with UNESCO’s normative instruments and vision for the future; promoting collaboration and lifelong learning as organizing principles for teacher development. The incumbent’s main responsibilities will be to:
Long Description
• Design, plan, organize and coordinate activities in the field of teacher education and professional development, and teacher policy, at global and regional levels.
• Provide technical support and coordinate capacity building with Member States, teacher education institutions and partners, including for the development and update of teaching standards and competency frameworks and to improve teacher education curricula, policies and programmes.
• Examine key trends regarding the digital transformation of teacher education including initial and professional development opportunities and design appropriate initiatives to bridge the digital divide and enhance teachers' digital skills.
• Undertake research on global teacher policy and practice, aimed at producing knowledge and exchange, and informing policy advice and advocacy.
• Develop and maintain professional collaboration and partnerships at the global level to advance teacher education, including jointly organized activities with networks and partners, within UNESCO, like UNESCO Chairs, and Associated Schools, and beyond, to promote networks and communities of practice.
• Provide technical advice and backstopping in the area of teacher education and professional development, and related education policies to UNESCO’s Field Offices, Institutes and Category II Centers.
• Develop, coordinate and monitor extra-budgetary projects and ensure periodic reviews and reporting, including information sharing.
• Mobilize financial resources for teacher development projects.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Advanced university degree (master’s level or equivalent) in the field of education, pedagogy, didactics, education sciences, sociology of education, or a related field in the social sciences.
Work Experience
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive responsible relevant experience in the field of teacher education, of which preferably at least 3 years acquired within teacher education institutions at the international level.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, instructional design, production and delivery of teacher education and professional development programmes and courses.
• Demonstrated experience in developing digital transformation programmes in teacher education and professional development.
• Demonstrated experience in desigining, planning, and implementing research programs/projects related to teacher education.
• Established experience of networking teacher education institutions, and implementing and maintaining communities of practice at regional and international level.
• Demonstrated experience providing advice to education authorities and teacher education and professional development bodies, organizations and schools.
• Robust experience in leveraging digital technology in teachers education.
Skills & Competencies
• Solid knowledge of education, teaching and learning, including teacher education and professional development.
• Sound understanding of issues related to curriculum, pedagogy and educational delivery.
• Strategic forward-looking thinking wih ability to anticiapte key implications and emerging issues around teacher education and professional development.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to synthesize data and evidence from various sources.
• Excellent drafting skills in English.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in public fora.
• Ability to maintain effective and inclusive working relationships across multiple internal entities and external partners.
Languages
• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and good knowledge of French.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Ph.D. in the field of education, pedagogy, teacher education, global education policy, comparative education, sociology of education or any other relevant field in the social sciences or humanities.
Work Experience
• Experience in education policy advice to governments at international level.
• Experience setting-up international programmes for teacher education.
• Experience in the United Nations system or other multilateral organizations and/or in international societies, private sector and associations dedicated to teacher education and professional development.
Skills & Competencies
• Familiarity with teaching theory and practice, learning sciences and development of new pedagogical approaches.
• Familiarity with digital learning management systems and digital solutions.
Languages
• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or 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 119, 932 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
