Associate National Project Officer ( Education)

Duration of contract: Initially 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Kiribati is designated as the duty station for this post, subject to clearance by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).

Only nationals of Kiribati are eligible to apply for this position.

BACKGROUND

The Kiribati System Transformation Grant (STG) is a USD $2.5M program (2024–2028) designed to address critical challenges within the Kiribati education system. These challenges—identified through extensive consultations and outlined in the Partnership Compact—include infrastructure limitations, resource constraints, and high dropout rates, particularly among boys. The program, developed by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), aims to expand access to quality learning and enhance teaching practices through a strategic focus on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Aligned with Kiribati’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2024-2027) and the ICT in Education Master Plan (2021-2025), the STG takes a phased approach, initially focusing on establishing model schools. These selected schools will serve as testing grounds for ICT infrastructure and teaching innovations, enabling evidence-based learning and systematic adaptation. ICT integration will directly support student learning by expanding access to digital resources, with inclusive digital lesson plans, projectable diagrams and tools for student assessments. The STG programme activities are structured around three interconnected components:

• Access: Expanding access to quality learning through ICT infrastructure and inclusive pedagogies.
• Teaching Quality: Improving teaching quality and inclusion through access to digital resources and training on using ICTs.
• Systems Reform: Strengthening the collection and use of data to support programme implementation, inclusivity, and system improvements.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States in Apia, the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, the incumbent will provide a range of programmatic support activities to UNESCO, who serves as the Grant Agent of the Kiribati Global Partnership for Education System Transformation Grant (STG).

Specifically, the incumbent will undertake the following functions:

1. Programme and Project Coordination

• Support the day-to-day management of the STG programme, ensuring that all activities are implemented according to the project document and work plan.
• Assist with the coordination of technical and administrative support staff involved in programme activities.
• Ensure the efficient allocation of resources to meet programme needs and targets, identifying any gaps and proposing solutions.
• Assist in developing and implementing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress against the programme’s objectives, outcomes and performance indicators.
• Ensure the enhancement of key areas such as ICT infrastructure, teacher capacity, and KEMIS development, and timely delivery of outputs and results.
• Assist in the preparations of regular technical progress reports for submission to UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and other relevant stakeholders.

2. Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Assist in the provision of technical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs related to ICT infrastructure development, teacher training, and the enhancement of KEMIS.
• Support the provision of technical guidance to ensure that programme activities contribute to the development of inclusive, equitable education in line with the ESSP’s focus on quality education and the ICT Master Plan’s objectives for digital transformation.
• Support regular quality assurance checks to ensure that programme deliverables are of high quality and meet UNESCO’s standards.

3. Financial and Administrative Management

• Assist the financial management of the programme, ensuring that all expenditures are in line with UNESCO’s financial policies and procedures.
• Assist with the preparation of financial reports and ensure timely submission of all necessary documentation for audits.
• Monitor the programme’s budget, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated and that financial risks are mitigated.

4. Capacity Building and Training

• Support the capacity-building efforts of the Ministry of Education personnel, teachers, and other stakeholders, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher ICT competency development, and KEMIS usage.
• Assist the coordination of training workshops to enhance the skills of teachers and school leaders in digital literacy, ICT-based pedagogy, and data-driven education management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, or closely related field(s).
• A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Less than 2 years of relevant work experience in coordinating or managing education projects, particularly in the areas of ICT integration, teacher development, or education system reforms.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong project management and coordination skills, with experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

• Solid financial management skills, including budgeting, reporting, and monitoring.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills for working with government officials, development partners, and local stakeholders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with digital education tools or platforms.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English and Kiribati.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations in project coordination, capacity building, or education system strengthening is highly desirable.

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 20 503 AUD.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 20 August 2025