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
193 member States and 7 Associate Members, UNESCO has its Headquarters in
United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization Paris (France) and operates globally through a network of offices and several institutes.

Vacancy Notice
Post Title: Programme Specialist
Sector: Education
Duty Station: UNESCO Office in Kabul
Grade: P3 – Temporary contract
Closing Date: 5 January 2011
Term of Appointment: Initial period of 11 months, extension up to 2 years maximum
Proposed date of commencement: As soon as possible

Main Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Director of UNESCO Kabul Office and the supervision of the UNESCO Education
Sector, the Education specialist will support the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher
Education (MOHE) in Afghanistan, with a special focus on technical support and capacity building in policy
development, educational planning and management, and programme implementation to achieve education
related goals set in the Afghanistan National Education Strategic Plan (ANESP) and Afghanistan National
Development Strategy (ANDS) in line with the vision and mission of the Kabul Office. In this context s/he will:
• Provide comprehensive technical support and capacity building to both ministries of education to
design and implement education policies, strategies and programmes to achieve ANESP and ANDS at
both national and provincial levels in line with UNESS (UN education support strategy) to be developed
in close consultation and coordination with development partners;
• Help MOE’s ongoing and upcoming efforts to develop and implement curriculums and textbooks in
primary, secondary, Islamic, technical/vocational and literacy and non-formal education;
• Assist MOE and MOHE develop comprehensive and updated education management information
system (EMIS) through technical assistance and capacity building in coordination with the development
partners;
• Assist MOE in policy making, strategizing, planning and implementing literacy and non-formal
education programmes within the framework of LIFE (Literacy Initiative for Empowerment) in close
collaboration with development partners;
• Assist MOE to develop inclusive and early childhood education policy to ensure the right to education;
• Assist MOHE to design and conduct its policy and strategy through relevant research and studies;
• Provide capacity building and technical support to both MOE and MOHE for renewal of teacher
education policies and structures;
• Maintain active presence in consultative and coordination meetings on education related issues among
development partners with a special attention to ensuring that UNESCO’s comparative advantage is
recognized and enhanced;
 • Maintain close consultative cooperation with MOE, MOHE, Ministry of Culture and Youth, Afghanistan
National Commission for UNESCO, and Permanent Delegation to UNESCO;
• Prepare project documents, seek donors funding, implement and monitor projects in a variety of
educational fields;
• Assume other responsibilities that may assigned by the Director of the Office.

Profile:
• Advanced university degree in Educational Planning or other education and/or development related
field.
• Four to seven years of progressively responsible experience in education, of which preferably three to
five years acquired at international level.
• Wide knowledge in the field of education, higher education, and development.
• Knowledge in educational systems (School and higher) structure and ability to leaed on educational
and development matters.
• Demonstrate analytical skills to translate existing knowledge into usable instruments such as policies,
strategies, plans, programmes and its implementation.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills to work with others in inter-cultural settings.
• Excellent communication skills to articulate ideas both orally and in writing.
• Excellent knowledge of English, good knowledge of French is an asset. Knowledge of other UNESCO
official languages would be an advantage.

Remuneration
UNESCO salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which
reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. It corresponds to an estimated
annual salary of approximately 90,635 USD with dependant and 84,602 USD without dependant.

How to apply: Candidates must send an application letter with resume addressed to UNESCO
Representative, (attention: Mr. Naveed Sharifi), UNESCO Office in Kabul, House No. KB 647, PD 10, Shar-e-
Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan and to the email address at n.sharifi@unesco.org.