JOB DETAILS
Type of contract : Service Contract
Level : SC9
Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station : Somalia
Work location : On site
Duration of contract : 6 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline (Midnight UTC−3 Time) : 14/08/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Federal Government of Somalia, with the support of UNESCO and UNICEF and funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), will implement the project Building peace through religious education in Somalia. The aim is to support government efforts to enhance social cohesion and resilience amongst Somalis by integrating foundational, peace-centered pedagogy, safeguarding, and inclusive teaching practices into early childhood Quranic education.
To achieve this, the project will focus on three main results: (1) facilitating coordinated government leadership on improving and standardizing early childhood Islamic education across formal and informal schools, (2) integrating peacebuilding pedagogy and safeguarding standards into religious instruction and child learning spaces in target schools in Jubaland and Banadir; and (3) sensitizing parents, community members and community leaders to their role in supporting peacebuilding through early childhood Quranic education.
Long Description
The project will help girls and boys in Quranic schools develop relevant knowledge, skills and values that enable their inclusion, flourishing and social and economic empowerment in the society, in safe and secure learning environments.
The position will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia, and will operate within the organizational framework of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (Nairobi, Kenya).
MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (UNESCO Nairobi), the functional authority of the Chief of Education Sector of the Regional Office, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager in Mogadishu, the National Project Officer will be based in Mogadishu and supervise the day-to-day implementation of the project in Somalia on behalf of UNESCO, in cooperation with the Project Manager who will provide the project leadership, as well as the members of the joint project team consisting of education and other specialists from UNICEF. Specific responsibilities include:
Long Description
- Ensuring the management and quality of the project from UNESCO’s side in line with the project specific objectives, activities, and expected outputs, in cooperation with the Project Manager.
- Supporting the Project Manager in the overall management of the project.
- Regularly monitoring and supporting the updating of the project workplan as necessary.
- Planning and organizing the procurement of goods and services to be carried out by UNESCO and closely monitoring their implementation.
- Identifying suitable project implementation partners and providers of goods and services.
- Monitoring the implementation of contracts, assessing the quality of services provided, and requesting disbursement of funds.
- In coordination with the Project Manager and team, liaising with other development partners, donors, and stakeholders in Somalia to ensure coordination, harmonization, and alignment of the project with other relevant initiatives and interventions in the country.
Long Description
- Ensuring the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and reporting on project activities:
- Regularly monitoring the financial status of the project for UNESCO’s side and promptly developing a budget revision if needed.
- Overseeing monitoring and evaluation efforts and reporting on progress.
- Supporting the Project Manager in regularly preparing, conducting, and following up on meetings with government and stakeholders, preparing their minutes and action plans with a clear division of responsibility and timeframe.
- Preparing reports on project activities for UNESCO, the donor, and partners.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The National Project Officer is expected to supervise the day-to-day implementation of the project in Somalia and to ensure that the project outcome and outputs will be achieved according to the project document, in cooperation with the Project Manager.
Initial appointment: 6 months, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of the project fund
Note: The duration of the project is 36 months (3 years), while the expected duration of the NPO assignment is 24 months (2 years). Because the Peacebuilding Fund will transfer the funds to UNESCO with three tranches (40%, 30% and 30%), the first contract will cover 6 months.
Long Description
Long Description
DURATION OF THE CONTRACT
6 Monts
Long Description
COMPETENCIES – Core (C) & Managerial (M)
- Communication (C)
- Accountability (C)
- Innovation (C)
- Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
- Planning and organizing (C)
- Results focus (C)
- Teamwork (C)
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
