TVET and Skills Development Officer
Organizational Context
As a specialized United Nations agency, UNESCO has been a long-term strategic partner in Afghanistan. Our education support aligns with the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (2023-2027) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We aim to meet current educational needs while building a foundation for sector reconstruction and improvement, in line with UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2029).
Job Purpose
The TVET and Skills Development Officer will support the implementation of skills interventions under the World Bank-funded Education Emergency Response in Afghanistan (EERA) project and the upcoming Human Capital and Jobs (HCJ) project within UNESCO Kabul's Skill Development and Literacy (SDL) programme. This includes overseeing integrated skills development and literacy programs, alternative learning for higher education, and an internship program. The role also involves promoting employment through improved learning, skills, and work pathways for vulnerable youth, women, and returnees, providing tailored support, and strengthening systems for targeted, market-relevant skills and employment services. The officer will contribute to a skills certification framework and a demand-responsive Skills Fund to finance market-relevant training.
Responsibilities
Assist in executing project activities according to workplans, budgets, and results frameworks, ensuring compliance with UNESCO rules. Liaise with implementing partners and consultants to support skills for work programs, assessment and certification pilots, and engagement with industry chambers. Track project progress, identify delays or bottlenecks, and coordinate monitoring activities. Contribute to narrative and financial reporting and document lessons learned. Provide technical assistance for key activities, including the Skills Certification framework and Skills Fund. Organize consultations, learning events, and technical meetings. Support communication and visibility activities, drafting technical briefs and progress updates. Coordinate with internal teams, UN agencies, NGOs, and national/international bodies to ensure alignment with global standards. Share project tools and findings through sector coordination mechanisms and contribute to discussions on TVET and skills development.
Work Experience
Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in education, literacy, or skills development. Essential experience includes proven expertise in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Afghanistan, competency standards, curriculum development, and competency-based assessment and certification frameworks.
Skills
Strong project management skills, including Results-Based Management (RBM), Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), and reporting. Excellent communication abilities for multicultural teams and partner relationships. Ability to work under pressure, manage heavy workloads, and meet deadlines with attention to detail. Results-oriented with proven problem-solving skills. High integrity, strong reasoning, and analytical skills for technical briefs and presentations. Proficient in standard office software and online collaboration tools.