TVET and Skills Development officer

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level :  SC8

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Kabul

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 12 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC−4 Time) : 06/09/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

As a specialized United Nations agency, UNESCO has been working in Afghanistan as a long-term strategic partner. UNESCO’s education support to Afghanistan is built around the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (2023-2027) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), meeting current educational needs while establishing the foundation for the sector's reconstruction and improvement going forward and aligning with global education priorities outlined in the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2029).

MAIN TASKS AND SERVICES

Under the overall guidance of the Officer-in-Charge and the Head of Education, and the direct supervision of the Project Officer/Team Lead for Skills for Jobs and the Private Sector, the TVET and Skills Development Officer will support the ongoing implementation of the skills interventions under the World Bank-funded Education Emergency Response in Afghanistan (EERA) project as well as the upcoming Human Capital and Jobs (HCJ) project within the wider Skill Development and Literacy (SDL) programme in UNESCO Kabul office.

The ongoing implementation of the EERA project by UNESCO includes a 9-month integrated skills development and literacy program for 2100 learners, an Alternative Learning for higher education program to enable 300 learners to complete degrees via distance learning, a 6-month Skills-Based Literacy (SBL) intervention to support 4,950 learners and an Internship Programme to provide practical work based learning 180 interns in commercial banks and microfinance institutions.

The Improving Youth Skills and Employment component under the upcoming HCJ project would promote employment by improving learning, skills, and work pathways for vulnerable female and male youth ages 15–25, women, and returnees. It will provide tailored packages of skills and non-skills support based on beneficiary profiles, needs, and market demand, including foundational learning, market-relevant skills, economic inclusion, access to

finance, job intermediation, and pathways to self-employment and wage employment.  A related system building pillar would strengthen the systems needed to deliver more targeted, market-relevant, and scalable skills and employment services. It will support a skills certification framework aligned with industry standards, stackable credentials, and recognition of prior learning, where feasible.

It will also support a demand-responsive Skills Fund to select and finance market-relevant training through qualified providers, with stronger employer engagement to improve skills relevance, training quality, and links to completion, certification, and placement.

The tasks and responsibilities expected to be undertaken by the TVET and Skills Development Officer include:

1.Project Implementation
-Assist in the execution of key activities under the project workplan in line with the project document, budget and results framework, ensuring compliance with UNESCO’s administrative, financial and procurement rules.
-Liaise with Implementing Partners/Service Providers and/or technical consultants as required and support the implementation of skills for work programs, Assessment and Certification pilot as well as engagement with industry chambers and employers

2. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting 
-Track the progress of project activities as per the M&E plan, and flag any lapses/delays and potential bottlenecks

-Coordinate field visits, remote and third-party monitoring and manage all follow-up on the Complaint and Feedback Mechanism as required
-Contribute to narrative and financial reporting and document lessons learned to strengthen implementation and guide future programming.

3. Technical Assistance and Policy Support

- Contribute substantially to the conceptualization of the key project activities especially the Skills Certification framework and the administration/scale-up of the Skills Fund

4. Knowledge Management, Communication and Visibility

- Organize consultations, learning events and technical meetings based on the priorities of the project/Education Programme

- Support communication and visibility activities and draft technical briefs, progress updates and thematic products.

5. Coordination and Partnership

- Coordinate with internal teams within UNESCO Kabul office, UN agencies, NGOs, community representatives and national/international technical 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.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The following results are expected from the assignment:

• Effective and timely implementation of assigned TVET, skills development, literacy and employment-related activities under the EERA and HCJ projects, in accordance with approved workplans, budgets, results frameworks and UNESCO procedures.
• Project implementation is regularly monitored, with progress, implementation challenges, risks and bottlenecks identified in a timely manner and appropriate follow-up actions undertaken in coordination with implementing partners, service providers and relevant stakeholders.
• Quality technical inputs are provided for the design and implementation of key skills-system strengthening interventions, including the Skills Certification Framework, industry-led assessment and certification, recognition of prior learning, and the Skills Fund.
• Effective coordination and partnerships are maintained with implementing partners, employers, industry chambers, UN agencies, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the relevance, quality and sustainability of skills development interventions.
• Reliable programme information, monitoring data and implementation evidence are generated and used to support results-based management, programme improvement, reporting and informed decision-making.
• High-quality and timely technical inputs are provided to project reports, briefs, presentations, communication materials and other knowledge products, with key achievements, lessons learned and good practices appropriately documented and disseminated.
• Consultations, technical meetings, learning events and coordination activities are effectively supported, contributing to knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement and alignment of UNESCO's TVET and skills development interventions with relevant national needs and international good practices.
• Assigned project deliverables are completed to the required quality standards and within agreed timelines, contributing to achievement of the overall objectives and expected results of the EERA, HCJ and wider Skills Development and Literacy programme.

DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in education, literacy, skills development or similar fields.

Essential experience

• Proven experience in the key thematic areas including technical and vocational education and training (TVET) context in Afghanistan, competency standards and curriculum development methodologies, competency-based Assessment and Certification frameworks

Desirable experience

• Experience in operationalizing TVET funding mechanisms including skills fund management and M&E modalities, community-based literacy and livelihood development.
• Experience in training of TVET trainers, assessors and verifiers; setting up TVET quality assurance mechanisms

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong project management experience including RBM, M&E and reporting.
• Strong communication skills and ability to function well in a multi-cultural team and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of partners;
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work; Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills;
• High level of personal and professional integrity;
• Strong reasoning and analytical skills; ability to prepare technical briefs and presentations
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent command of English (verbal and written).
• Proficient in Dari/Farsi and/or Pashto (verbal and written).

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.