National Project Officer (Education)
Organizational Context
UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) in Cambodia, is implementing the Strengthening Teacher Education Programmes in Cambodia (STEPCam) Phase II (2024-2026). This initiative, funded by the Global Partnership for Education, aims to enhance student learning outcomes by improving the quality of teacher education and advancing digital strategies in education. The programme supports national reforms in pre-service teacher education, strengthens continuous professional development, and focuses on early grade learning and digital transformation.
Job Purpose
The National Project Officer will provide crucial technical and operational support to the STEPCam programme under the UNESCO Representative in Cambodia. This role involves close coordination with the Chief of Education Unit and the STEPCam Programme Manager, as well as with MoEYS technical departments, consultants, and partners. The officer will contribute to the effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting of programme activities across four key components: pre-service teacher education reform, continuous professional development, early grade learning, and digital transformation in education. The position requires supporting workplan development, budget management, consultant engagement, and the dissemination of programme results and research findings.
Responsibilities
Provide technical and operational support for the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the STEPCam programme. Liaise with MoEYS departments, consultants, and partners to ensure timely activity execution, including regular monitoring meetings. Assist in preparing workplans and budgets aligned with programme objectives. Support the identification and recruitment of consultants and experts, including developing Terms of Reference. Facilitate communication between international experts and national counterparts. Contribute to progress reporting, presentations, and communication materials. Support the development and dissemination of programme visibility materials. Engage in Global Partnership for Education (GPE) processes. Provide technical assistance for planning, budgeting, implementing, and monitoring activities under STEPCam Components 1 and 2. Conduct on-site technical oversight and monitoring of activity delivery. Assist with monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure timely resolutions and alignment with the results framework. Provide technical support for the quality assurance of deliverables. Undertake monitoring missions as necessary. Support the implementation, technical oversight, and quality assurance of research initiatives, including policy research studies on teachers and student learning outcomes. Assist with data collection, analysis, and report drafting, including translation of documents. Develop materials for disseminating research findings. Facilitate consultation workshops. Carry out other assigned tasks to facilitate programme implementation.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in education, teacher education, or a related field. Demonstrated experience in planning, managing, implementing, and monitoring education sector programmes in Cambodia, with a focus on primary education, teacher education, or policy research.
Skills
Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills with expertise in leading multi-stakeholder initiatives in education, teacher education, and research. Strong understanding of Cambodia's education and teacher development context, challenges, and solutions. Proven experience engaging and coordinating with government counterparts and technical departments. Ability to take initiative, set priorities, and work efficiently under pressure. Capacity to collaborate effectively in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams. Excellent written and spoken proficiency in English and Khmer. Experience in statistical data analysis and knowledge of relevant software packages are desirable.