Associate National Project Officer (Prevention of School Related Gender Based Violence) (South Africa) contract

Position Number: 6ZAED 0021PA

Grade: NO-A

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Johannesburg

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 13/03/2026

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

This position is open to South African nationals only.

UNESCO’s Education for Health and Well-being Strategy provides the overarching framework for UNESCO’s coordinated action with Member States and partners to advance learning outcomes through healthier, safer, and more supportive education systems. The strategy is grounded in the principle that children and adolescents who are healthy, well-nourished, and protected from violence and harm are better able to learn, participate, and thrive. As countries increasingly recognize the interdependence between education and health, UNESCO promotes the education sector as a critical platform for advancing health and well-being outcomes, including learner safety and protection.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a profound and persistent challenge in South Africa, with significant impacts on children’s safety, well-being, and educational outcomes. Schools, while intended to be protective environments, are often sites where learners experience or witness violence, including physical, sexual, emotional, and technology-facilitated forms of abuse. National data indicate high levels of violence against children, including school-related GBV, bullying, sexual harassment, and cyber-violence, with girls disproportionately affected. UNESCO, in partnership with UNICEF and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), will implement an EU-funded 36-month action titled “Preventing Gender-Based Violence, Building a Fairer & Safer Society through Schools” in four provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo). The Action aims to foster safe and inclusive learning environments by tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in and around schools, including technology-facilitated GBV. Within this joint Action, UNESCO is responsible for delivering key education-sector interventions, including: (i) implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in targeted schools; (ii) roll-out of the Connect with Respect curriculum for the prevention of school-related GBV; and (iii) training of Life Orientation educators (and selected school personnel) on CSE, Connect with Respect and the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) where relevant.

The Project Coordinator will provide day-to-day project coordination and quality assurance for UNESCO’s responsibilities under the Action, ensuring that planned activities are delivered on time, within budget and to required technical standards, in close coordination with UNICEF, DBE (national, provincial and district levels), schools and other relevant stakeholders.

The position falls under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, guidance from the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, and the direct supervision of the Regional Project Officer (Education for Health and Well-being). The incumbent will be responsible for the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of a three-year EU funded Project on Prevention of Gender-based Violence in Schools. They will work closely with the Department of Basic Education in South Africa, UNICEF and Foundation for Human Rights. The incumbent will specifically:

Project Coordination

• Lead the implementation of UNESCO activities under the joint EU Action in line with the approved workplan, budget and results framework.
• Develop and maintain detailed implementation plans and track progress against targets.
• Ensure timely preparation of narrative and financial reports for assigned programme elements, both internally within UNESCO and to external donors.
• Coordinate operational engagement with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and relevant provincial/district structures for delivery of UNESCO-supported activities in targeted schools.
• Facilitate stakeholder coordination for UNESCO activities such as meetings, provincial/district engagements, including preparation of agendas, minutes, action trackers, and follow-up.

Coordination of UNESCO-supported CSE and SRGBV prevention deliverables

• Coordinate implementation of CSE activities, including support to curriculum/teacher development as defined in the UNESCO workplan.
• Coordinate roll-out activities for the Connect with Respect curriculum in targeted schools under UNESCO responsibility, including alignment with DBE.
• Grow and strengthen the CSE Community of Practice for teachers and other CSE practitioners in South Africa. 
• Lead the establishment of CSE repository in South Africa. 
• Work with DBE to sensitize School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and School Management Teams (SMTs) and Learner Support Agents (LSAs) on gender and social norms transformative CSE, SRHR and school violence prevention. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management

• Coordinate routine monitoring of UNESCO-supported activities and results, including consolidation of partner reports, verification of key deliverables, and maintenance of evidence files.
• Support data collection and basic analysis for UNESCO indicators, ensuring data quality, completeness, and compliance with donor requirements and UNESCO standards.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality narrative and data inputs for UNESCO reports, donor updates, and corporate reporting.
• Coordinate documentation of lessons learned and promising practices emerging from UNESCO-supported activities and contribute to knowledge products and communication materials as required.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Human Rights Law, or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the field of gender equality and the prevention and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a strong focus on programme management.
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in GBV programming in the South African context is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, dialogue, and technical support to government or large-scale institutions.
• Proven ability to manage programme budgets and complex reporting requirements for major institutional donors.
• Prior experience in the UN system or an international development organization is an asset.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong technical expertise in comprehensive sexuality education, human rights, and key populations.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and budgeting skills.
• Proficiency in project management, including proposal development and reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural teams and with diverse partners.
• Good communication and inter-personal skills, including ability to develop and maintain collaborative relations with various stakeholders.
• Ability to think critically, with a strong innovation orientation.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and deliver to deadline, as well as work under pressure.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge (oral and written) of English.
• Professional working knowledge of one or more official South African languages is an advantage.

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. 

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 767 578 ZAR.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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 staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.