Programme Assistant: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO Jobs in Kenya

UNESCO contributes to peace and human development in an era of globalization by furthering international cooperation through its programmes in education, sciences, culture and communication.

With its 191 member States and 6 Associate Members, UNESCO has its Headquarters in Paris (France) and operates globally through a network of offices and several institutes.

Post title: Programme Assistant
Unit: Education Programme Unit
Duty station: UNESCO Office in Nairobi
Grade and Type of Contract: L-5 (Service Contract)
Closing date: 5 March 2010

Purpose of post

Under the overall direction of the Director of the Office of the Regional Bureau for Science in Africa / Representative of the UNESCO Cluster Office for Burundi, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda (hereafter referred to as the UNESCO Nairobi Office), and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist in Education and the National Professional Officer in Education and in close cooperation with the Education Programme staff, the incumbent will work as Education Programme Assistant of the UNESCO Nairobi Office to provide broad based administrative and operational support to the activities of the Education Programme team.

In addition, the incumbent will provide administrative support to the Education Donors Coordination Group (EDCG) in Kenya as an assistant to its Chair and its Troika team.

Main responsibilities

UNESCO Nairobi

In close collaboration with the education programme team, he/she will:

1. Assist the Education Programme Unit in programme conceptualization, planning and implementation through: Support to document preparation, consolidation and reporting; Preparation of, and follow up on, contracts and agreements, in conjunction with the Administration Unit by using the UNESCO programme administration and management tools; Development and consolidation of the Education Programme Unit's workplan
2. Assist in the organization of meetings and consultations by preparing required materials, taking and distributing minutes and reports, in close collaboration with the Education Programme Secretary;
3. Develop and maintain an education resource and documentation system for compilation and dissemination of materials, in close collaboration with the Librarian o f the UNESCO Nairobi Office;
4. Support partnership building with education stakeholders in Kenya and other member states under the responsibility of the Nairobi Office;

EDCG:

In close collaboration with and reporting to the Troika Chair and the JFA Contact Point, he/she will:

• Ensure that all relevant information concerning the Education Sector is updated and circulated to members of the EDCG group regularly and as requested
• Maintain an accurate database and contact list of EDCG members, Ministries of Education and Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs);
• Help to convene EDCG meetings, including the JRES, ABRW, and Annual Retreat, take the minutes of all meetings, and circulate them in a timely manner, including action points;
• Facilitate communication and information (including e-mail flows) between the Ministries of Education and DPs in order for each party to complete tasks by the allotted times;
• Liaise with the Ministries of Education to obtain the monthly and annual timetables for various meetings and the important deadlines within the KESSP structures, including the JRES and ABRW, continually revising it to be updated for the coming 3 months;
• Maintain records of activities of EDCG Working Groups based on inputs from the lead persons of the EDCG Working Groups;
• Ensure that venues for meetings are finalized and communicated in a timely manner to EDCG members, and Ministries of Education as appropriate;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Profile

• A recognized university first degree in education or social sciences;
• At least 3 years of national / regional professional experiences in education or social sciences;
• Technical knowledge in education and social development issues in Kenya and other East African countries;
• Capacity to comprehend sector dialogue and make appropriate linkages.
• Knowledge of working procedures of UNESCO, the UN, the Government of Kenya and education development partners is highly desirable
• A demonstrated ability to work in harmony with staff members of different national backgrounds in a professional manner, especially in a mutually supportive team approach.
• A high level of computer literacy and skills
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• A demonstrated high level of professionalism and maturity and an ability to work in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to send their applications to education.nairobi @ unesco.org (under the subject line, please mention 'Application for Education Programme Assistant.'

Alternatively, the applications can be sent in a sealed envelope clearly marking 'Application for Education Programme Assistant,' to

The Director,
UNESCO Nairobi Office,
P. O. Box 30592-00100,
Nairobi.

The application should consist of a Curriculum Vitae, a most recent photograph and a covering letter explaining your suitability and ( motivation for the post.

UNESCO is committed to gender equality in its programming and to gender parity within the Organization. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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