National Programme Officer (Education) (Kabul, Afghanistan) contract Temporary

Post Number : 4AFED 0031TA

Grade : NO-B

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Temporary Appointment

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 28-April-2025

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

Only nationals of Afghanistan can apply for this position.

For the past two decades, UNESCO has been a key actor in supporting skills development and literacy training in Afghanistan. Its programmes aim to improve literacy skills while equipping beneficiaries, particularly women and girls, with livelihood-enhancing opportunities. By integrating literacy with practical skills related to culture and creativity, agriculture, home based manufacturing and entrepreneurship.

Building on this foundation, UNESCO remains committed to promoting education in Afghanistan as a fundamental human right, ensuring access to quality, relevant, and inclusive learning opportunities for all. The UNESCO Kabul Office plays a central role in strengthening adult literacy and non-formal education, with an increased focus on skills development for employability and livelihoods, particularly for women and girls who face significant educational and economic barriers.

UNESCO’s Skills Development and Literacy (SDL) Programme integrates literacy with market-relevant and job-related skills, equipping beneficiaries with the knowledge, attitudes, and values required to be productive, responsible citizens. The programme prioritises a community-based approach, particularly focusing on marginalised youth and adults, especially women, who have been excluded from formal education.

With funding from multiple donors, this programme operates under urgent implementation timelines to rapidly expand access to SBL opportunities. To date, UNESCO has reached over 55,000 youth and adults across 20 provinces, with more than 60% of beneficiaries being women and adolescent girls.

To further strengthen and scale up these efforts, UNESCO Kabul Office is recruiting a National Programme Officer to support the planning, implementation, and coordination of the SDL programme.

As a National Programme officer, the incumbent will directly report to the SDL Programme Team Lead. As such they will seek approval for undertaking roles that require their engagement with external contacts mainly suppliers. They will be in direct contact with the Implementing Partners exercising more autonomy to follow-up on project implementation and providing technical support. They will also be required to liaise with internal UNESCO Operations and Administration unit.

Overall responsibility:

Support the SDL Programme Team Lead in the overall planning, implementation, and coordination of the SDL programme specially overseeing the implementation of an integrated literacy and skills development project in 4 provinces, including through close collaboration with key stakeholders and engagement with DfA to ensure project progress, and to support the achievement of project goals, targets, and milestones.

Planning:

• Support the development of detailed work plans for literacy and skills-related projects, including regularly reviewing and refining project activities and adjusting financial plans as necessary.

• Develop a financial plan, including procurement of goods and services, and ensure the delivery of teaching and learning materials to project beneficiaries.

• In close collaboration with the Curriculum Team of the SDL programme, develop training and supervision plans for Training of Master Trainers and its cascading to literacy and skills development facilitators at provincial levels. Implementation

• Support the SDL Programme Team Lead in achieving project goals and milestones, ensuring timely delivery of project activities by the IPs and the relevant team members.

• Oversee the initiation and implementation of a partnership project with UNICEF funded by the World Bank across two provinces.

• Follow up on contract implementation, collect, review, and process technical and financial reports from IPs, ensure their completeness and quality, and disburse fund installments in a timely manner.

• Systematically capture best practices, lessons learned, and innovations in SDL programming. Use feedback loops to integrate lessons into ongoing project planning and implementation.

Coordination:

• Act as the focal point for direct communication with IPs, ensuring smooth project implementation and identifying and addressing bottlenecks working with Monitoring and Evaluation team.

• Support coordination with all key stakeholders including DfA authorities at national and sub-national levels. 

• Support the effective dissemination and sharing of knowledge, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and lessons to intended audiences to improve programme performance and contribute to wider learning.

• Perform any other relevant tasks relating to the SDL programme as requested by the supervisor.

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Education, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.

Work Experience:

•  At least two years of experience in project planning, implementation, and coordination in education, Technical and Vocational Education Training or non formal skills development interventions.

Languages:

•   Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
•   Fluency (written and spoken) in Dari and/or Pashto

Work experience:

• Work Experience with the UN or other international organizations in education.

Skills:

• Excellent project management skills, including results-based management, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Strong coordination and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to draft clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in standard office software and online collaboration tools.