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Project Officer

UNESCO
Baghdad, Iraq
On-site

About this role

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 5IQED 0026PA

Grade: P-3

Parent Sector:

Education

  • Sector (ED)

  • Duty Station: Baghdad

  • Job Family: Education

  • Contract Type: Project Appointment

  • Duration of contract: 1 year

  • Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

  • Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 21/10/2026

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

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

  • ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

  • In December 2024, UNESCO, with funding from the European Union, launched Phase III of the three-year Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reform project, “Green and Digital TVET for Enhancing Employability in Iraq.” The project supports the Government of Iraq in advancing the implementation of the National

Education

  • Strategy through future-oriented skills development, reskilling and upskilling initiatives that promote green and digital transitions.

  • Implemented within a dynamic and results-oriented programme framework, the project seeks to enhance the employability and economic participation of Iraqi youth, particularly young women and vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and refugees. The project also contributes to strengthening climate resilience and supporting Iraq's sustainable development objectives.

  • Through the establishment and strengthening of Centres of Vocational Excellence in eight Technical Universities and Polytechnics, eight Vocational Schools, and two Vocational Training Centres, the project aims to foster stronger linkages between education and labour market needs. Key interventions include curriculum modernization, innovative teaching and learning approaches, institutional capacity development, and the promotion of learner-centred education and training pathways.

  • OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Office for Iraq, the overall supervision of the Chief of Education, the Project Officer shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:

  1. Coordinating the implementation of TVET-3 project while ensuring the achievement of the expected results by:

  • Update the workplan and budget to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities, in line with the rules and regulations of UNESCO and the donor.

  • Support the implementation of project outcomes, outputs, and activities ensuring the alignment with the overall objectives of the Green and Digital TVET for Enhancing Employability in Iraq project.

  • Building and maintaining partnerships with Iraqi Technical Universities. Facilitate activities related to greening and digitalization by organizing site visits, meetings, workshops, and training sessions in collaboration with international experts.

  • Regularly conducting and attending meetings of the project steering and technical committees, Education Cluster, and other education coordination mechanisms related to TVET, and ensuring preparing minutes of meetings and action plans with clear responsibility and timeframe.

  • Maintaining regular contact with the representatives of relevant government authorities and with representatives of the donor;

  • Supervising and providing leadership, guidance and direction for the project team through periodic meetings and other relevant measures.

    1. Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and the reporting on project activities

  • Offer advisory support to International and National Consultants and Project Team, guiding them in their interactions with Ministries and on project implementation tasks, particularly those related to integrating greening and digitalization practices.

  • Contributing to monitoring and evaluating project activities and suggesting updates of the project log frames.

  • Developing supplementary tools to support the available “office template reporting format” towards improved reporting for results.

  • Recalibrating self-reported and evaluation information feeding into the results reporting using feedback mechanisms with government counterparts, donors, and the

Education

  • Sector.

  • Presenting aggregate strategic analysis on project performance based on commitment of indicators and implementation of activities as well as output delivery.

  • Regularly monitoring the financial status of the projects and preparing budget revisions.

  • Conducting periodic project reviews with government counterparts and other partners, recording the results of the review meetings in minutes and action plans.

  • Providing content on major achievements and the implementation of the projects for UNESCO's public information services to increase the visibility of UNESCO and the donor.

  • Long Description

    1. Manage and Oversee the Procurement process for Project activities

  • Ensure that all procurement processes, documents, Terms of Reference (ToRs), and Bills of Quantities (BoQs) for TVET-3 project activities comply with UNESCO relevant rules and regulations and meet project and stakeholder expectations.

  • Preparing plans for the procurement of goods and services, and drafting terms of reference of contracts

  • Monitor the progress of vendors, contractors, and implementing partners' interventions onsite to confirm alignment with project standards, timelines, and specifications.

  • Review and approve completion reports, documentation, and release of payments of onsite interventions.

  1. Prepare project documentation and progress reports:
  • Regularly review and update (upon the needs) the project document, workplan, progress, identify any delays, and advise the project team on adjustments to timelines, resources, or priorities. Ensuring documentation of changes and actions.
  • Prepare reports, briefings, presentations, and other materials as requested by the Chief of Education emphasizing the integration and impact of greening and digitalization within the project.
  • Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, donors, and partners, and ensuring effective visibility of the project results and achievements.
  • Prepare the quarterly progress reports and donor reports by providing the required statistics and updated financial status.
  1. Conduct Follow-up Field Missions:
  • Undertake necessary field missions to TVET institutions in targeted areas to monitor activities, engage with local stakeholders, and provide support for on-the-ground implementation of project activities and as necessary and requested for project implementation in Iraq and elsewhere.
  1. Perform Additional Duties:

  • Provide support to the UNESCO Iraq Office in identifying and securing potential donors in the TVET sector by actively participating in consultation meetings, conducting thorough research, and developing concept notes and proposals in TVET.

  • Support additional tasks as requested by the Head of Office and Chief of Education in line with the project objectives.

  • Organizational environment and partnerships

  • Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Education, the incumbent will coordinate and manage the implementation of the TVET III Project, ensuring the timely and effective delivery of project activities and achievement of planned results. The incumbent will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of UNESCO's administrative, financial, procurement, and human resources policies and procedures relevant to project cycle management.

  • The incumbent will work closely with the

Education

  • Team to ensure coherence and synergy across TVET-related interventions and will collaborate with government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders to support the smooth implementation of project activities. The role requires effective coordination, partnership-building, and monitoring to ensure project objectives are achieved in line with UNESCO's strategic priorities and national development goals.

  • The incumbent will work closely with UNESCO colleagues in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, and engage with a broad range of external stakeholders, including donors, government institutions, TVET authorities, education and training institutions, implementing partners, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, and beneficiary communities. The role requires strong coordination partnership-building, and stakeholder engagement skills to support the effective implementation of UNESCO's TVET programme in Iraq.

  • Expected results and duration

  • Expected results and duration of the assignment

  • Expected results of the Project Officer assignment

  • UNESCO Iraq's TVET strategy effectively coordinated, implemented, and periodically reviewed in collaboration with key stakeholders.

  • Enhanced visibility, reporting, and resource mobilization for UNESCO's TVET programme through communication products, concept notes, and partnership development.

  • UNESCO effectively represented in education and TVET coordination forums,

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