National Project Officer (Program Design and Policy) (New Delhi, India) contract

Position Number: 4INEDPA062GI

Grade: NO-C

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: New Delhi

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 17/05/2026

The contract shall be for 1 year with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Only nationals of India may apply to this position

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

 Only nationals of India may apply to this position.

The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is UNESCO’s first education-related category 1 institute in the Asia-Pacific region, promoting education for a more peaceful and sustainable world. MGIEP leads innovative projects focused on education policy, research, and program implementation that aim to foster peace, sustainability, and human well-being through transformative education.

In line with this mission, MGIEP is committed to the design, development, and evaluation of large-scale educational programs aimed at building knowledge and skills crucial for sustainable development and peace. The Institute uses empirical evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness and impact of its programs and courses, employing rigorous scientific approaches to support ongoing improvements.

MGIEP seeks a National Project Officer – Program Design and Policy – to contribute to its program development efforts, including policy analysis and uptake, designing, managing, and evaluating programs that support education for peace and sustainability.

Under the direct supervision of the team leader and the overall guidance of the Director of the Institute, the National Project Officer – Program Design and Policy, will be responsible for the following key tasks:

Program design, policy uptake, and development

• Lead the design and development of MGIEP’s educational and policy research programs aligned with MGIEP’s mission.
• Support other MGIEP teams in development of program designs, Theories of Change, policy uptake and related activities.
• Draft relevant documents, frameworks, guidelines, etc. needed for successful development of programs.

Coordination and management

• Coordinate with project teams involved in program development and evaluation, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of project outputs.
• Manage partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to support program design and implementation.
• Ensure compliance with UNESCO’s Results-Based Management (RBM) framework in program monitoring and reporting.

Training and dissemination

• Provide training and capacity-building sessions for educators and facilitators on curriculum delivery, quality assurance standards, and instructional design practices.
• Support the professional development of junior colleagues and staff by guiding them through program design, policy uptake and evaluation processes.
• Stay updated on the latest developments in educational program development, policy analysis and reform, program evaluation, and peace education.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree) in education, program management, program evaluation, or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in program design, development, and evaluation, preferably in the education sector.
• Demonstrated experience in managing development of educational and/or research projects.
• Experience in Results-Based Management (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks.
• Experience in content development for educational programs, particularly in fields related to peace, sustainability, or SEL.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Strong knowledge of program design and evaluation studies.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with stakeholders from various sectors.
•  Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize complex information for informed decision-making.
• Strong project management skills, with a focus on delivering high-quality outputs on time.
• Ability to present information clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
•  Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Commitment to delivering results and taking responsibility for program outcomes.
• A focus on learning and adapting to improve program design and outcomes.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Good knowledge of Hindi.

EDUCATION

• A Ph.D. in education, research methods, or a related field is highly desirable.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience with international educational programs and research is an asset.
• Experience in leading evaluation or program design projects in international settings.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another UNESCO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or regional Indian languages.

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 INR 4926329 subject to deduction of pension, insurance, etc.

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.