Project Officer (Education Finance)

UNESCO; Paris; Sur place; EUR 95 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

An international educational organization is seeking an Education Project Officer in Paris to implement projects that support education sectors. This role requires expertise in education financing and public financial management. Candidates should have a Master's degree and a minimum of four years of relevant experience. Proficiency in English and French is essential, along with strong analytical skills and knowledge of budgeting processes.

Prestations

30 days annual leave

Family allowance

Medical insurance

Pension plan

Qualifications

• Expertise in education finance diagnostic tools.
• Minimum 4 years in education financing and public financial management.
• Strong proficiency in both English and French.

Responsabilités

• Implement funded projects and support Ministries of Education.
• Conduct educational cost and funding analyses.
• Mentor colleagues in budgeting and financial management.

Connaissances

Analytical skills

Budget planning

Public Financial Management (PFM)

Education financing

Formation

Master's degree or equivalent in economics, statistics, public policy, public finance

Outils

Microsoft Excel

STATA

R

Python

Description du poste

OVERVIEW

Post Number: IEP/PA/164

Grade: P-3

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Education

Type of contract: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 16-OCT-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the IIEP Director, and under the direct supervision of the Lead of the Education Finance Senior Programme Specialist, the Education Project Officer will be responsible for the implementation of a variety of funded projects and activities that support the capacity of Ministries of Education and other partners to better plan and manage education sectors.

IIEP provides direct technical support to governments and partners on planning and management, and contributes to research and analytical work, training programmes and knowledge sharing. The incumbent will support IIEP activities related to costing, financing and Public Financial Management (PFM) for education, including but not limited to:

• Conducting education cost and funding analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, public expenditure reviews (PER), national education accounts (NEA); and
• Financial costing and programming activities such as simulation models, sectoral medium term expenditure frameworks (MTEF), costed action or operational plans, sectoral budget programming, PFM diagnostics and support to budget implementation and monitoring.

The candidate should have experience in one or more of the following areas:

1. Analyses of education cost and financing and experience with costing/modeling and programming: Expertise in education cost and finance diagnostic tools such as cost-effectiveness analysis, PER, NEA, including quantitative data analysis of costs and financing of education from various sources (public, households, private entities, external donors, and grants). Expertise in long-term macro-financial simulation models and mid-term costing and budget programming tools, including costing of operational plans, preparation of medium-term expenditure frameworks, results-based budgeting, and programme-based budgeting.

2. Public Financial Management (PFM) in the Education Sector and Capacity Building of Ministries of Education: Expertise in technical support and advice to Ministries of Education on key PFM reforms to improve volume, equity and efficiency of public spending and to enhance sectoral financial governance. Expertise in public finance and/or PFM, including tools such as PEFA, PER, PETS, and policy advice to managers and ministries on PFM issues relevant to education.

The incumbents will support the implementation of a portfolio of technical cooperation, research and development and training activities related to education financing, costing and budgeting. Specifically, the incumbents will be responsible for:

• Support the implementation of a portfolio of projects in educational planning and management, and/or reforms in the educational sector with a strong focus on education financing and budgeting.
• Contribute to identifying strategic priorities and provide technical inputs on IIEP’s core technical offer to countries in support of their planning and implementation management capacities.
• Support regular consultation with IIEP Offices and partners (Member States, Donors, external institutes) about IIEP’s country-facing research, development, capacity development and technical cooperation activities, adopting a problem-driven and collaborative approach to improve IIEP’s activities in education finance.
• Work with the Education Finance lead to ensure alignment of IIEP’s research and development, training, and capacity development activities, maintaining a strong corporate focus on programme effectiveness, resource mobilization and strategic impact.
• Take ownership of specific strategic objectives and quantified targets thematically and geographically according to portfolio and missions.
• Contribute to public debates and establish networks with relevant actors and organizations in education finance.
• Contribute to IIEP’s internal budgeting and costing processes, including financial reporting to donors, the Governing Board and UNESCO HQ.
• Contribute to mentoring colleagues in costing, budgeting, and financial management.

COMPETENCIES

Core / Managerial: Communication, Accountability, Innovation, Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, Planning and organizing, Results focus, Teamwork, Professionalism

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in economics, statistics, public policy, public finance, or related fields.

Professional experience

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in education financing and public financial management, including budget planning and reporting, education financing diagnostics, financial costing and simulation.
• Working experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:
  a. Analyses of education costs, finances and budget, costing and projections
  b. Public Financial Management (PFM) in Education.
• Experience in providing technical assistance in support of national or subnational entities in the analysis of education financing
• Experience in the functioning of public administration and education systems including experience with PFM reforms in developing countries.
• Experience in public finance (budget preparation, execution, and reporting) with strong knowledge of budget laws and governance frameworks.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues related to education and education financing in developing and/or emerging countries.
• Knowledge of contemporary developments in global education and strategies to improve planning and management, including in crisis contexts.
• Ability to design and implement training materials and courses.
• Ability to design and implement action research.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including policy briefs and training materials.
• Willingness to travel regularly on missions in complex environments.
• Ability to develop coalitions and partnerships with a wide range of actors within and outside IIEP-UNESCO.
• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Excel and statistical packages (STATA, R, Python, etc.).
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to support complex, multi-component projects.

Language

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (written and spoken), with working proficiency in the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Competencies

• Proven knowledge in public financial management diagnostic tools or capacity building in budget formulation, execution, monitoring and reporting.

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 111 707 US$.

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

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted; candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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