Switzerland: Project Officer P-3 (Education), Curriculum Research and Policy Development

Organization: UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 23 Oct 2014

The International Bureau of Education (IBE) is the UNESCO institute specializing in the contents, methods and structures of education. Its overall mission is to contribute to the attainment of quality of Education for All (EFA) implying, among other things, the implementation of comprehensive systemic interventions supporting Member States in processes of education and curriculum change and development.

IBE's Curriculum Research and Policy Development (CRPD) programme intends to launch a major research and publication initiative: Curriculum Innovation: A Global Report, published every three or four years, to coincide with and support the International Conference on Education. Under the direct supervision of the CRPD programme manager, and the overall supervision of the Director of the IBE, the incumbent will serve as the Managing Editor of Prospects and of all other IBE publications, including Curriculum Innovation: A Global Report.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the CRPD programme manager to support the IBE Director in her role as Chief Editor of the journal and of all other IBE publications. He or she will assist in the preparation and publication of:
· four issues (both regular and special issues) of Prospects, and of the four issues to be published in the following year;
· approximately two books in the IBE book series, and of the two books to be published in the following year;
· three manuscripts in the Educational Practices Series, and of the three issues to be published in the following year; and
· working papers, position papers, research reports, case studies, policy briefs, comparative (analytic and synthetic) studies and other material to be included in Curriculum Innovation: A Global Report.

These responsibilities include, as relevant to each of the above:
contributing to the review of special issue proposals and book proposals; managing the peer review process; supervising the movement of manuscripts through the editorial and publications process; managing the day-to-day operations of the journal; corresponding with authors, peer reviewers and guest editors; coordinating arrangements with language editors; overseeing editorial quality; and liaising with publishers in preparation for and during the typesetting and publication process.

The incumbent will also assist in publicizing the journal, the book series, the Educational Practices Series and other IBE publications at high-level meetings and leading conferences in the field, such as those associated with the UK Forum for International Education and Training, the World Council of Comparative Education Societies, and the Comparative and International Education Society.

The incumbent will contribute more generally to the IBE’s research agenda and to the implementation of the IBE’s strategy as a centre of excellence in the field.

Required qualifications:

Education: A doctoral degree in the field of international education, preferably with a focus in curriculum and learning.

Work Experience: Four to seven years of senior editorial experience in the field, at least two of which have been acquired at international level.

Skills/Competencies:
Core competencies: Building Partnership, Teamwork, Client orientation, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Technological Awareness, Results Based Management and Results Based Budgeting, Promoting Organizational Change and Development.

Managerial competencies: UNESCO’s Mission, Strategy, Leadership, Managing Performance, Empowering Others.

• Thorough knowledge of and advanced competence in the field of international education, with a particular focus on curriculum and learning.
• Thorough knowledge of and advanced competence in research writing and publication in the field, viz., the field’s norms and protocols of research publication, and the techniques of clear and rational argumentation in research communication; as well as a working knowledge of research methodology in the social sciences.
• Critical and analytic reasoning skills and disposition. A good intellect.
• The ability to work in a small in-house team, as well as the ability to establish and maintain, not least through excellent communications skills, good working relationships with a wide external network of senior academics, researchers, policy-makers and publishers in the field.
• The ability to work to tight publishing deadlines.
• Relevant IT competence, specifically with regard to MS Word and editorial management programmes.

Languages: Excellent knowledge and command of written English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Other: In-depth familiarity with the research publications process; Knowledge of the work of the IBE, and of UNESCO in general; A wide network of colleagues in the field.

How to apply:

To apply, please send your application letter and UNESCO CV in English to the International Bureau of Education-IBE, Administrative Unit, C.P. 199, 1211 Genève 20, Suisse / Fax : +(41) 22 917.78.01 / or by email to administration@ibe.unesco.org

Application files should reach the IBE before 23^th October 2014 midnight (Geneva time). Please note that only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

For more information about the International Bureau of Education, please visit our website:
www.ibe.unesco.org

UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.