Project Officer (Yangon, Myanmar) contract

Type of contract : Service Contract

Level :  9

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Yangon

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 11/03/2026

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

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization  Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok), and the direct supervision from Head of Antenna Office in Yangon and the project officer, the incumbent will be responsible for providing programme implementation and monitoring support to the UNESCO Antenna Office in Yangon (hereafter UNESCO Office) educational projects, namely the System Capacity Grant (SCG) and the System Transformation Grant (STG).

1.    Project Monitoring & Evaluation

•    Provide technical advice to design, plan, implement the educational M&E frameworks and systems to monitor all activities of the ongoing projects, including System Capacity Grant (SCG) and System Transformation Grant (STG). 
•    Play a key role in monitoring and assessing educational progress by regularly tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and project milestones. This includes overseeing the collection and analysis of data, identifying gaps, challenges, and areas for improvement, and ensuring interventions are on track to meet their desired outcomes. 
•    Support the roll-out and implementation of the Joint Response Framework (JRF) for Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation across educational projects in Myanmar. This includes facilitating the alignment of individual M&E frameworks from a range of stakeholders, including as UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, and Myanmar’s Education Cluster. 
•    Contribute to capacity building among local organizations by offering technical support on effective coordination and knowledge management practices. This may include facilitating joint planning sessions, supporting the integration of partner efforts into national monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and promoting the exchange of lessons learned and good practices across stakeholders. 
•    Assist in the evaluation of and reporting on projects and programmes through providing input to the preparation of reports on the implementation of programmes and projects and other briefings as may be required by the UNESCO Field Office or Headquarters, using relevant tools, including CORE manager. 
•    Technically contribute to UN related initiative such as Country Common Analysis (CCA), Transitional Cooperation Framework (TCF) and UN Joint Programme in particular monitoring and evaluation, attend the thematic meetings under UNCT and working group, represent UNESCO at these meeting when required.

2.    Research and Knowledge Management, Public Information

•    Support coordination and quality assurance of ASER assessments, and lead synthesis of findings across partners to produce a comprehensive analysis learning outcomes.
•    Support educational research activities, primarily focusing on preliminary literature reviews and desk research. This involves conducting an initial review of existing literature and documentation relevant to Myanmar’s education system, identifying key themes, trends, challenges, and opportunities that should inform future research and program design.
•    Assist senior project officers and research team in data collection by helping with the data-gathering process. This include identifying and liaising with relevant stakeholders to organize interviews or surveys and ensuring that the data collected is accurate and reliable. 
•    Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of strategies and plans of action among education stakeholders and maximise use of this knowledge in the design of locally delivered Education Sector Field activities.
•    Integrate knowledge management into partners coordination. This will involve establishing and maintaining an online knowledge management system, such as a SharePoint-based portal—to serve as a centralized hub for storing and disseminating key programmatic and resources, reports, and tools. 
3.    Sector Coordination 
•    Be responsible for facilitating coordination across various working groups within the education sector, with a particular focus on strengthening systems that promote improved alignment, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among national stakeholders. 
•    Support ongoing dialogue among key education partners to help identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for enhanced coordination and collective sector-wide impact. 

4.    Partnership and Resource Mobilization

•    Support resource mobilization efforts and develop alternative funding mechanisms for the region and individual countries by developing concepts and project proposals in accordance with the C/5. 
•    Track submissions and coordinate donor meetings when necessary. 

5.    Additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the work team.

It is important to note that additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as necessary, beyond those explicitly outlined above, to support the evolving needs and priorities of the organization.

•    Effective M&E systems are designed and implemented for all education projects, with regular KPI tracking, data analysis, and timely reporting that supports improved programme decision making.
•    Resource mobilization efforts are supported through the development of quality concept notes, proposals, and the facilitation of donor coordination.
•    A functional knowledge management system (e.g., SharePoint-based platform) is established and maintained, facilitating structured information sharing, documentation of lessons learned, and integration of evidence into ongoing education sector planning, coordination and programme design.
•    High-quality, timely, and reliable education data (including learning assessment and partner reporting data) are systematically collected, analysed, and synthesized into actionable reports and dashboards that directly inform strategic planning, donor reporting, and programme design.

Twelve (12) months with initial three (3) months probationary period and renewable based on satisfactory performance as well as availability of funds. 

• 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.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree or advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in any of the fields of Education, Social Sciences, International Relations or related fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum of 4 years of professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 2 years with a Master’s degree. 
•    Proven experience in gathering, and analyzing complex data to produce comprehensive, insightful analytical reports that inform decision-making. 
•    Extensive hands-on experience with Myanmar’s education landscape, demonstrating a deep understanding of the sector’s dynamic, challenges and opportunities for improvement.
•    Extensive hand-on experience in programme and project management, monitoring and evaluation, or in a related field.
•    Mastery of monitoring and evaluation methodology (quantitative/qualitative/mixed).

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
•    Ability to work independently on delegated tasks and to meet deadlines
•    Excellent drafting and report writing skills
•    Appreciation of diverse identities.
•    Proficiency in using data collection and analysis tools such as KoboToolBox, Survey CTO, and MS Excel.
•    Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
•    Ability to work well with team members across different types of activities
•    Ability to work efficiently, under pressure, and in a multi-cultural environment.
•    Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals.
•    High sense of responsibility and willingness to take initiative.
•    Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of English and Myanmar (spoken and written)

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in any of the areas of education development, health education, human rights, gender, public policy, social development or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 2 years with a Master’s degree.
•    Experience in the field of education at the national and/or international level(s).
•    Experience within the UN system or international organizations.
•    Experience in human rights, inclusive education, gender equality and youth engagement.
•    Experience in conducting desk research and online surveys will be an advantage.
•    Experience in planning, preparation and organization of workshops and meetings under the framework of education-related projects.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

•    Familiarity with UN programming policies and procedures. 
•    Working knowledge of results-based and budget management tools.

LANGUAGES

 •    Basic knowledge of an additional language from the Asia-Pacific region will be an advantage.
 •    Knowledge of other official UN languages (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) will be an advantage.

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit through careers.unesco.org:

• a cover letter;
• a full resume (stating details of educational qualifications and providing specific examples of required work experience, present income, home and office contact addresses, email address, telephone numbers and three references) or UNESCO Employment History Form (Form HR 5-1)

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).

• 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.