Senior Project Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 1CAUIS0097PA

Grade : P-4

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Montreal

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 2 years, renewable

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-NOV-2025

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

Duration of contract: initially two (2) years, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background 

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the official source of internationally comparable data on education, science, culture, and communication. UIS supports global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all — by developing measurement frameworks and technical tools for learning outcomes such as literacy, numeracy, and work-relevant skills.

Measuring learning outcomes at scale is technically and institutionally challenging. Many countries lack the resources and methods needed for long-term, internationally comparable assessments. To address these gaps, UIS pursues two complementary objectives: (1) global coordination — developing standards, measurement approaches, and monitoring tools for SDG indicator 4.1.1; and (2) country support — helping Member States produce high-quality learning data. Through the Global Alliance to Monitor Learning (GAML), UIS convenes governments, technical experts, UN agencies, donors, and assessment organizations to harmonize standards and share best practice.

Overall purpose 

The Senior Project Officer (Learning Assessment) is the Principal Technical Lead for the Learning Assessment Programme. The role will develop and implement global standards and psychometric tools (ensuring reliability, validity, and appropriate linking) to support SDG reporting and national assessment strategies. The incumbent will ensure data quality and comparability, translate technical methods into practical guidance, and build partner capacity so countries can produce usable, policy-relevant learning data.

Long Description

Key Responsibilities and Functions

1. Methodological Development and Global Reporting

• Maintain and refine frameworks and standards, including the Global Proficiency Framework (GPF), Minimum Proficiency Levels (MPLs), and GAML/EDSC criteria for reporting on SDG 4.1.1.
• Lead the design and application of tools and methods to align national and cross-national assessments with globally agreed standards, enabling comparability without requiring participation in overly demanding assessments.

2. Technical Implementation and Partnership Management

• Lead the technical engagement and liaison with key global partners, serving as the primary technical point of contact for the programme.
• Manage the implementation of technical partnerships, ensuring alignment of partner deliverables (e.g., data products, analytical tools) with UIS methodological standards.
• Synthesize complex technical and research outcomes into high-level policy and partnership recommendations for senior management. 

3. Validation, Quality Assurance, and Standardization

• Implement and manage the Vetting Mechanism to evaluate assessment submissions against GAML/EDSC criteria, ensuring technical integrity and quality control.
• Define and promote global standards for assessment eligibility and quality, including construct validity, MPL alignment, and sustainability.
• Harmonize terminology and classification systems (e.g., learning domains, constructs, descriptors) used in SDG 4 monitoring and reporting.

Long Description

4. Research and Capacity Building

• Coordinate the design and refinement of specialized technical products, especially AMPL modules for psychometric linking to MPLs.
• Lead a technical research agenda focused on psychometric innovation, benchmarking methodologies, and foundational skills measurement.
• Provide senior technical input for capacity-building resources to support countries in planning and conducting high-quality assessments.
• Support the operationalization of the Virtual Fund for Learning Assessments, prioritizing sustainable capacity building in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Contribute to technical blueprints and policy-relevant tools that guide national assessment design and integration into instructional strategies.

5. Implementation and Strategic Coordination

• Provide technical coordination and secretariat support to UIS-led bodies such as GAML and the Education Data and Statistics Commission (EDSC).
• Provide technical guidance to team members on tasks related to data management and analysis, research, and technical documentation.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Professionalism (C) Accountability (C) Building partnerships (M) Communication (C) Driving and managing change (M) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Leading and empowering others (M) Making quality decisions (M) Managing performance (M) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Strategic thinking (M) Teamwork (C) -
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced degree in statistics or a related quantitative field (e.g., demography, economics, applied mathematics).
• Equivalent professional experience may be accepted if supported by authored technical outputs (e.g., reports, publications, analytical materials) demonstrating relevant expertise.

Work Experience

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in the full learning assessment cycle (framework design, item development, sampling, administration, analysis, reporting).
• Preferred: at least one (1) year of international experience with a UN agency, government, or similar organization.
• Proven ability to translate complex psychometric and statistical concepts into policy guidance, documentation (e.g., MPL definitions), and tools (e.g., Buyer's Guide).
• Extensive experience in methodological research for indicator development and harmonization, including IRT models (e.g., Rasch), statistical linking, and standard setting (e.g., Bookmark).
• Experience in strategic planning, performance measurement, and database management.
• Skilled in training delivery and presentations to diverse audiences.

Skills and Competencies

• Expert knowledge of learning and skills assessment tools and education policy evaluation.
• Strong grasp of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method evaluation; experience with impact assessments is an asset.
• Ability to manage technical work in multi-stakeholder environments involving funders, agencies, and governments.
• Good understanding of education system challenges in developing contexts.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills; able to produce concise, data-driven outputs.
• Proven resource mobilization and donor engagement experience.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and work effectively in multicultural teams under tight deadlines.

Languages

• Excellent command of English or French, with working proficiency in the other.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience working with developing countries and knowledge of learning outcome assessment challenges.
• Experience collaborating with government counterparts and organized education stakeholders.
• Experience initiating or managing education programmes using digital solutions.

Languages

• Good knowledge of another official UNESCO language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish).

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

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 115,323 USD.

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

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

Footer

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 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. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. 

---