National Programme Officer-Skills Development and Literacy

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Level : Level 4

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 11-Oct-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

For the past two decades, UNESCO has been a key actor in supporting skills development and literacy training in Afghanistan. Its programmes aim to improve literacy skills while equipping beneficiaries, particularly women and girls, with livelihood-enhancing opportunities, by integrating literacy with practical skills related to culture and creativity, agriculture, home based manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
Building on this foundation, UNESCO remains committed to promoting education in Afghanistan as a fundamental human right, ensuring access to quality, relevant, and inclusive learning opportunities for all. The UNESCO Kabul Office plays a central role in strengthening adult literacy and non-formal education, with an increased focus on skills development for employability and livelihoods, particularly for women and girls who face significant educational and economic barriers.
UNESCO's Skills Development and Literacy (SDL) Programme integrates literacy with market-relevant and job-related skills, equipping beneficiaries with the knowledge, attitudes, and values required to be productive, responsible citizens.
The programme prioritises a community-based approach, particularly focusing on marginalised youth and adults, especially women, who have been excluded from formal education.

With funding from multiple donors, this programme operates under urgent implementation timelines to rapidly expand access to SDL opportunities.
To date, UNESCO has reached over 55,000 youth and adults across 20 provinces, with more than 60% of beneficiaries being women and adolescent girls.
To further strengthen and scale up these efforts, UNESCO Kabul Office is recruiting a National Programme Officer to support the planning, implementation, and coordination of the SDL programme.

Long Description
Overall responsibility:

Support the SDL Programme Team Lead in the overall planning, implementation, and coordination of the SDL programme, specially overseeing the implementation of an integrated literacy and skills development project in 10 provinces, including through close collaboration with key stakeholders and engagement with DfA to ensure project progress, and to support the achievement of project goals, targets, and milestones.

Planning:

• Support the development of detailed work plans for literacy and skills-related projects, including regularly reviewing and refining project activities and adjusting financial plans as necessary.
• Develop a financial plan, including procurement of goods and services, and ensure the delivery of teaching and learning materials to project beneficiaries.
• In close collaboration with the Curriculum Team of the SDL programme, develop training and supervision plans for Training of Master Trainers and its cascading to literacy and skills development facilitators at provincial levels.

Implementation:

• Support the SDL Programme Team Lead in achieving project goals and milestones, ensuring timely delivery of project activities by the IPs and the relevant team members.
• Oversee the initiation and implementation of a large SDL project partnership project with funding from Canada in 10 provinces.
• Follow up on contract implementation, collect, review, and process technical and financial reports from IPs, ensure their completeness and quality, and disburse fund installments in a timely manner.
• Systematically capture best practices, lessons learned, and innovations in SDL programming. Use feedback loops to integrate lessons into ongoing project planning and implementation.

Long Description
Coordination:

• Act as the focal point for direct communication with IPs, ensuring smooth project implementation and identifying and addressing bottlenecks working with Monitoring and Evaluation team.
• Support coordination with all key stakeholders including DfA authorities at national and sub-national levels.
• Support the effective dissemination and sharing of knowledge, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and lessons to intended audiences to improve programme performance and contribute to wider learning.

Quality Assurance:

• Support the establishment of quality assurance mechanisms for teaching and learning processes within literacy and skills development programmes.
• Develop and apply quality benchmarks, classroom observation tools, and supervision guidelines to monitor the performance of facilitators and trainers.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure that teaching practices align with approved curricula, learner-centred methods, and agreed standards.
• Provide structured feedback and coaching support to literacy and skills facilitators to enhance their pedagogical skills.
• Ensure quality and consistency in the design, production, and use of teaching and learning materials, including adaptation to learners' needs and contexts.
• Establish feedback loops with learners and communities to capture perceptions of teaching quality and use these to inform improvements.
• Collaborate closely with the Curriculum Team and M&E colleagues to strengthen evidence-based improvements in teaching and learning outcomes.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) -
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Education, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. A first-level degree with additional relevant years of experience may be accepted.

Work Experience:

• At least four years of relevant experience in project planning, implementation, and coordination in education, technical and vocational education, or non-formal skills development interventions, including responsibilities related to teaching and learning quality assurance. Experience with the UN or international organizations is desirable.

Languages:

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Fluency (written and spoken) in Dari and/or Pashto

Skills:

• Excellent project management skills, including results-based management, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

• Strong coordination and organizational skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to draft clearly and concisely.

• Ability to work effectively in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.

• Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads and meet tight deadlines.

• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in standard office software and online collaboration tools.

Long Description
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience:

• Work experience with the UN or other international organizations in education.

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 further contacted and 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 (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous 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.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. 

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