Head of Education Section *

The general minimum requirements for working with the OSCE are:

• Excellent physical condition
• Possession of a valid automobile driving license and ability to drive using manual transmission
• Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours and in an environment with limited infrastructure

The general minimum requirements for working in this field of expertise are:

• University degree in educational sciences, social sciences or related fields
• Experience in educational field at an international level, either educational planning and administration, public education, teacher training, multi-lingual/ethnic teaching including curriculum harmonisation and teaching plans, or professional experience in a ministry of education or a teachers union
• Proven project management experience, including planning, budgeting and evaluation techniques
• Experience in liasing with specialised local and international agencies and bilateral donors

Furthermore, this level of responsibility requires the following:

Education:

Advanced education/certified training course in a relevant field desirable

Experience:

Minimum 6 years of relevant, diversified and progressively responsible professional experience including at least 3 years at the management level relevant to the actual position

Additionally, this particular post has specific requirements:   Mandatory:

• University Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Education Policy and Management, Public Policy, or equivalent (graduate degree preferred)
• Experience in education programme development and political analysis, including the production of reports, verbal and written briefings
• Detailed understanding of both the educational landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular its institutions and bodies (at all levels of government), and the overall political situation
• Proven management and supervisory experience
• Understanding of the work of the OSCE Mission in the field of education
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English
• Ability and willingness to work as a team member and with people of different cultural and religious backgrounds and diverse political views while maintaining impartiality and objectivity with tact and diplomacy in dealing with both external persons and multinational staff
• Excellent organisational skills, with ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks and process large amounts of information
• Ability to operate Windows applications, including word processing and e-mail

  Desirable:

• Working knowledge of the local languages is an asset

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director (Programmes) of the Human Dimension Department (HDD), the incumbent is the principal staff member responsible for the day to day management and implementation of this pillar of the Human Dimension programme.  The Head of Education Section is also responsible for providing advice to the Deputy Director (Programmes) on programme related matters, including current trends, achievements, problems and future planning.  The incumbent supervises the Specialist Advisers and staff within the section so that their activities and projects are incorporated into the planning and implementation of HDD's programme and to ensure that there is coherence between and among all parts of the section.Specific duties include:

1. Oversees and co-ordinates the day to day implementation of the Education section, through line management of this section's Specialist Advisers and staff.  This includes approval of work plans and scrutiny of proposals for budgetary approval;
2. Ensures consistency and co-ordination in the development and implementation of the pillar's different elements to ensure that optimum impact is achieved from the human and financial resources employed;
3. Provides support in the development and implementation of the section's budget and human resources planning;
4. Together with the other Heads of Section, assists the Deputy Director (Programmes) and the Head of the Human Dimension Department with the development and strategy formulation through identification of lessons learnt, current trends, achievements, problems and future plans;
5. Ensures that staff of the Education section work as a coherent team and provides Field Officers (Senior Human Dimension Officers, Head of Field Offices and Education Officers) with guidance in the field.  This includes regular visits to the field and establishing effective coordinating mechanisms;
6. Ensures close contact with all of the institutions involved in education (including but not limited to the Conference of Ministry of Educations, the Ministry of Educations, the Pedagogical Institutes and the Agency for Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education);
7. Co-ordinates with international and domestic organizations active in the field of education reform (working level), in order to prevent duplication and to ensure that the programme achieves maximum benefit from related initiatives;
8. Integrates project evaluation and long-term impact assessment practices into all policy and project work;
9. Works with Deputy Director (Programmes), Deputy Director (Operations) and the Head of the Human Dimension Department, and other Heads of Section to identify cross-cutting synergies among areas of HDD work;
10. Supervises eleven national staff;
11. Performs other related duties as required.

*  Title is subject to 2012 Unified Budget approval

The OSCE is committed to achieving a better balance of women and men within the Organization. The nomination of female candidates is particularly encouraged.

Candidates should, prior to applying, verify with their respective nominating authority to which extent financial remuneration and/or benefit packages will be offered.

Please apply to your relevant authorities several days prior to the deadline expiration to ensure timely processing of your application. Delayed nominations will not be considered.