Senior Programme Specialist (Higher Education)
Organisational unit - Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID)
Duty station - Bangkok, Thailand
Grade - P-5
Post number - AS/RP /THA/ED/0027
Closing date - 29 August 2011

Main responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director General for Education and under the direct supervision of the Director, UNESCO Bangkok, the Coordinator of Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) and Programme Specialist in Higher Education will manage, coordinate, and take the lead in policy discussions, consultations, and implementation of programmes and activities of APEID Unit. As Programme Specialist in Higher Education, the incumbent will provide support and assistance to Member States and other UNESCO offices in the region in project development, programme implementation, setting up and strengthening of systems and services; facilitating information sharing and networking and research dissemination. The incumbent will also provide intellectual, strategic and operational leadership in planning and implementing activities related to areas under his/her responsibility in responding to priority needs of the Asia-Pacific region. He/she will be responsible for the following main activities:

As Coordinator of APEID, he/she will:

  • coordinate and supervise the work of APEID professional staff working in higher education, teacher education, ICT in education, etc., disseminating and promoting best practices and facilitating inter-country cooperative action in educational innovation in order to catalyze and stimulate innovation in Member States;
  • provide technical assistance and backstopping to UNESCO field offices as well as coordinate UNESCO’s activities on higher education, teacher education and ICT in education in the Asia-Pacific region;
  • revitalize APEID as a regional cooperative programme mandated with promoting educational innovation for equitable, sustainable and human-centred development in light of UNESCO's Medium Term Strategy;
  • strengthen regional partnerships and networking with Member States, IGOs, NGOs and civil society in resource mobilization for the achievement of APEID programme priorities;
    collect data and prepare periodic evaluations on APEID activities to ensure alignment with stated goals.

    As Senior Programme Specialist in Higher Education, he/she will:
  • plan, develop, carry out and coordinate activities in higher education within the framework of UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy, while implementing extra-budgetary activities as appropriate;
  • initiate, organize, and contribute to the regional reflection and debate on policies and strategies of higher education as part of global actions taken by UNESCO, providing technical assistance in higher education activities in Member States;
  • coordinate and facilitate the undertakings of Education Research Institutions Network (ERI-Net) in cooperative research/studies on problems related to education in general and higher education in particular, facilitate the publication of the findings, and develop information services in higher education.
  • promote cooperative relationships with other UN agencies, UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN networks, international organizations in particular higher education institutions networks;
  • ensure development, extension and effective functioning of the Associated Schools Project (ASPnet), Networks of Teacher Education Insitutions on ESD (ESD-Net) and on ICT in Education, and other intersectoral or cooperative activities within the Office or with our development partners in the region.


    Profile
  • Advanced university degree, preferably a Ph.D., in Higher Education. Knowledge of modern management practices as well as the ability to direct the work of a diverse group of professionals pursuing varying objectives so as to achieve cohesive strategies within the region. Ability to conduct negotiations in highly charged, politically sensitive situations, to settle significant technical or policy matters and to gain maximum cooperation on matters of international importance.
  • Significant experience (10 years or more) in a supervisory role within a UN, governmental, intergovernmental agency or institution, or NGO. Professional experience in the Asia-Pacific region, knowledge of UNESCO’s programmes and methods of work, and a field posting within the UN system are an asset. Experience in strategic planning, advocacy, resource and partnership mobilization and the in the management of significant financial and human resources.
  • Vision and strategic thinking, mobilizing resources, building partnerships, innovating and achieving results, managing people and team building, decision-making, communicating and advocating, driving and managing change, learning/sharing knowledge.
  • Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language would be an asset.

Conditions of employment

UNESCO's salaries are calculated in US dollars but paid mainly in local currency. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. For this post, the annual remuneration will start from around USD 123,900 (USD 115,100 if without dependants), exempt from income tax. In addition, UNESCO offers an attractive benefits package including 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan and medical insurance. The initial appointment, which is for 2 years, includes a probationary period of 12 months, and is renewable, subject to satisfactory service. Worldwide mobility is required as staff members have to serve in other duty stations according to UNESCO’s geographical mobility policy. UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

How to apply

When applying for UNESCO vacancies, please only use the online recruitment system at www.unesco.org/employment. Candidates without access to the Internet may send a paper application by completing the official UNESCO CV form (available at Headquarters, UNESCO Offices, National Commissions in Member States, or any office of a United Nations Resident Representative) in English or French to Chief, HRM/RCS, UNESCO, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France, before the closing date, quoting the post number: AS/RP/THA/ED/0027

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNESCO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: Recrutweb@unesco.org