Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Basrah
Classification of duty station: Basrah
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Level : Equivalent to SC 4
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 02-June-2024
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
In 2023, UNESCO and the European Union joined forces to continue the ambitious "Reviving Mosul and Basra Old Cities" project. This initiative, supported by EU funding, has already made substantial progress in phases I and II, generating employment opportunities for the youth and enhancing their skills in heritage preservation, cultural activities, and entrepreneurship within these historic cities. This endeavor has garnered the attention and interest of local and regional authorities, sparking a desire for deeper involvement in initiatives fostering cultural industry development. Phase III of the project seeks to empower local stakeholders by helping them establish policy frameworks and build capacities across various levels, from decision makers and community representatives to academics, technical experts, and workers dedicated to reviving the Old Cities and promoting their cultural vitality. The overarching goal is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda: to create jobs in Mosul and Basra through the organic reconstruction of their historic heritage and the rejuvenation of their cultural life, all under the leadership of local stakeholders. This phase will focus on youth employment and institutional capacity-building, concurrently addressing both aspects to produce complementary and enriching outcomes.
The specific objectives of Phase III can be distilled into four key project outputs: first, the empowerment of public actors and key stakeholders to actively engage in the urban heritage recovery process of Mosul and Basra; second, the enhancement of capacities among public, private, and technical stakeholders involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of these cities' urban heritage; third, the improvement of built heritage preservation and public space accessibility within the old cities of Mosul and Basra; and fourth, the empowerment of young cultural entrepreneurs, women, civil society organizations, and the general population to gain a deeper appreciation for cultural initiatives within these historic urban centers. By simultaneously focusing on youth employment and institutional development, the project aims to cultivate local awareness, skills, knowledge, and technical capabilities crucial for authorities to lead a locally-driven urban recovery process. This holistic approach is expected to generate synergies and mutually reinforcing results, ultimately contributing to the sustainable revitalization of Mosul and Basra's historic treasures and cultural life.
Duties and responsibilities
In the framework of this project, and under the overall authority of the Director of the Office for Iraq and the direct supervision of the International TVET Expert -(Senior Project Officer)and the Chief of Education Unit,
the incumbent shall help manage, support, coordinate and implement all aspects of the skills pipeline providing skilled workers to meet the demand for labour on the related construction interventions in historic buildings
sites including both technical oversight and project management inputs, and contribute to the project outputs in view to improve community resilience and livelihood in the urban areas of Basra.
Under the overall supervision of the Director of UNESCO Iraq Office and the direct supervision of the Project Manager / Head of Culture Unit, the selected candidate shall do the following, but not limited to, functions:
1.Assist the Project Team in implementing all Outputs within the phase 3 of project “Reviving Mosul and Basra Old Cities”
2.Facilitate the development of Competency-Based curricula in construction and other specialisations as required and in-line with the Technical and Vocational Qualifications Framework, including specialised heritage construction modules;
3.Ensure a recruitment pipeline of suitably motivate young people for participation in training and work programmes;
4.Organise and provide quality assurance for the delivery of TVET training in Basra, working closely with government training institutions and national and international experts;
5.Facilitate the establishment and application of a system for the Recognition of Prior Learning and related assessment;
6.Within the framework of the project, support the management of on-the-job training and work experience elements of the project, ensuring sufficient workers by specialism and level are available for active construction sites and wider job-creation elements of the project;
7.Establish, manage and monitoring of contracts and relationships with multiple implementing partners/consultants/contractors covering the range of expertise required to successfully implement the activities, in compliance with the rules and regulations of UNESCO;
8.Liaise with and facilitate consultation between the relevant local authorities in Iraq, NGOs, suppliers and local community stakeholders as required and necessary;
9.Organize stakeholder meetings and capacity-building workshops in order to ensure necessary competencies are transferred from experts to local practitioners;
10.Facilitate information sharing amongst stakeholders, including with local authorities and communities, and NGOs, and organize events to enhance awareness raising and project visibility both inside and outside Iraq;
11.Prepare reports, briefings, presentations and other materials, as requested by the Head of Culture / Project Manager
12.Undertake missions as necessary and requested for project implementation in Iraq and elsewhere.
13.Assist with other tasks in the Office, as requested by the Director, Head of Culture and the Project team.
Organizational Environment and Partnership
a) The incumbent will report to the International TVET Expert - (Senior Project Officer) and the Chief of Education Unit). S/He will be expected to generate actions and work independently, clearing external actions with budgetary and policy implications with his / her immediate supervisor to ensure compliance and harmony with the overall project objectives. S/He will actively monitor risks, reporting emerging issues and taking mitigation actions where required.
b) The main internal/external contacts:
•UNESCO colleagues in the culture and education sector
•Consultants and contractors
•Partners and NGOs
•MoLSA
•DoLSA – Basra
•Governor Office in Basra and other government bodies.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Academic qualifications • A University degree (Bachelors or equivalent) in economics, public/business administration, social sciences, Engineering or related fields.
2. Years of relevant work experience
• A minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in education or related fields, with a preference given to Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Culture, including at least three years of experience supporting an international organization, including a United Nations entity (is a plus);
3. Language requirement
• Excellent knowledge of English language (both written and spoken);
• Working knowledge of Arabic language (both written and spoken)
4. Competencies and Skills
1.Integrity, reliability and sense of commitment in the execution of duties.
2.Excellent coordination skills.
3.Good knowledge of results-based and budget management tools and monitoring and evaluation principles.
4.Ability to build and maintain partnerships.
5.Ability to work under pressure,
