JOB DESCRIPTION
Project Officer (Education), Bhubaneswar, UNFPA
1. POSITION(S) VACANT: Project Officer (Education), Bhubaneswar, UNFPA
2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, is a UN organization working for reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
To address problems faced by tribal adolescents, UNFPA in partnership with SCSTRTI—has been implementing a Life Skills Education (LSE) programme in Tribal Residential Schools across Odisha since 2015. The programme has successfully institutionalized LSE in more than 1,100 schools through the development of resource and teaching materials, and by providing supportive supervision and training to teachers, wardens, and matrons.
UNFPA is seeking a candidate that transforms, inspires and delivers high-impact and sustained results; UNFPA needs person who is transparent, and exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commits to delivering excellence in programme results.
3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direct supervision of Director of SCSTRTI, GoO (and/or designated official) and overall guidance of Head of Office of UNFPA as well, the Project Officer-Education shall provide high-quality technical assistance on framing learning objectives, innovative pedagogies to strengthen LSE in tribal residential hostels using the contemporary pedagogical theories and framework. The Consultant, as part of a team comprising an expert on Life Skills, an expert on Tribal Rights shall provide critical technical, training and capacity building, and coordination support from the perspective of education (learning objectives, pedagogies, content flow, etc).
Key Deliverables:
(A) Support in designing of Life Skills Education curriculum framework:
(1) Understand the project strategies and support in the development of LSE course framework, including themes, sub-themes;
(2) Support in the formulation of learning objectives and outcomes for each theme and sub-theme;
(3) Design measurable indicators aligned to each learning objective and outcome;
(4) Work with Tribal experts to ensure that the learning objectives are aligned and contextualized to the rights-based framework relevant to the tribal adolescents;
(B) Support in the design, testing, and implementation of innovative pedagogy;
(1) Explore theoretical framework on different pedagogical solutions and prepare a matrix on pedagogies and its application to themes and sub-themes of LSE within a hostel setting
(2) Innovate application of innovative pedagogical framework (Discourse oriented pedagogy based on critical thinking, pedagogy of the ‘oppressed’) to design pedagogical framework of the LSE curriculum in the hostel;
(3) Support in designing of pedagogical methodologies based on designed innovative framework and test its application in the hostel setting;
(4) Work with LSE team to design and test the Discourse Oriented Pedagogy and critical pedagogy methodology on the developed LSE framework;
(5) Support in effective implementation of developed curriculum with innovative pedagogy;
(6) Stay up to date with technical and programme policies and guidelines relating to tribal education ecosystem. Assess implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution and ensure their application as relevant;
(7) Provide technical support to ensure that programs are rights-based, gender-responsive and inclusive.
(C) Training & Capacity Building:
(1) Undertake training and capacity building of the LSE team (State & Districts) on designing of learning objectives and outcomes as well as on pedagogical framework;
(2) Work with members of TSU to design the training and capacity-building strategies based on the developed LSE framework;
(3) Work with members of TSU to take relevant training and capacity-building sessions of trainers and peer leaders.
(D) Programme Coordination:
(1) Contribute to the effective coordination at the Directorate on implementation of LSE Programme through review and follow up with districts, including identification of gaps and proposing practical solutions;
(2) Analysis of the LSE component as per need of the state and suggest appropriate actions to strengthen them further. Follow up to ensure that suggestions are satisfactorily addressed;
(3) Undertake all activities required including liaising and logistics management to ensure the provision of quality technical support to the state governments, to ensure that the training/workshops are conducted according to the established quality parameters;
(4) Consult with internal and external stakeholders to assess current state and identify key drivers of change.
(E) Monitoring & Evaluation:
(1) Design frameworks on recording and reporting systems and/or evaluating progress
(2) Regularly visit field sites and monitor trainings and LSE sessions and prepare plan for refreshers based on the shortcomings noticed;
(3) Support the TSU team in report writing and in Monitoring and evaluation activities.
Other Activities:
Carry out any other program-related activities as and when required and as advised by UNFPA/ SCSTRTI.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualification:
(1) Masters in Education (MEd) from a reputed university;
(2) Masters in other disciplines like MSW, MPH, etc. may also be considered provided the applicant can show experience in the education sector and in designing pedagogies.
Essential Experience:
(1) Minimum 2-3 years of experience in leading and management of initiatives in school systems and school management strengthening with inter-departmental coordination;
(2) Proven track record of designing learning modules with pedagogy development and experiences working with state government Education department;
(3) Good understanding of state government mechanisms, working arrangements, leadership;
(4) Experience in managing and advising government department with large scale transformation;
(5) Working experience & familiarity with UN Agency and government education system is desirable.
Skills and Competencies:
(1) Ability and keenness to learn and innovate
(2) Ability to communicate (read, speak, and write) in English and Hindi.
(3) Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in diverse teams.
(4) Ability to develop analytical reports and documentation skills.
(5) Good skills in operating computers and MS Office package
(6) Willingness and ability to travel extensively.
5. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:
The Consultant shall be hired on a consultancy contract through Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd. (SAMS), a respected HR Agency.
6. REMUNERATION & PER DIEMS:
Gross compensation budgeted for the position is Rs. 65,000/- per month and will be commensurate with the salary history of candidates.
7. LOCATION: Bhubaneshwar
8. DURATION: The successful candidate shall be issued successive consultancy contracts for a period of one year by UNFPA’s third-party payrolling partner(s). The contract is extendable based on performance and program needs.
The initial contract from the date of joining till June 30, 2023, shall be issued by SAMS. The subsequent contract for the balance period shall be issued by SAMS and/or UNFPA’s successor third-party payrolling partner.
9. REFERENCE: PO-EDU-UNFPA
10. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
11. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply using the link https://recruitment.samshrm.com/Jobs/UNFPA, by or before January 23, 2023.