The Principal Education Officer assigned to the Tertiary Education Unit is responsible for providing strategic leadership, policy direction, and regulatory oversight for the development and management of the tertiary education sector in Belize. The incumbent leads the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of tertiary education policies, frameworks, and standards to ensure quality, relevance, accountability, and equitable access across public and private institutions. The Principal Education Officer represents the Ministry on the National Accreditation Council and assists in overseeing quality assurance, accreditation, and compliance processes for tertiary institutions and programmes to ensure alignment with national education priorities and labour market needs. The role includes coordination with key stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and development partners to strengthen governance and system coherence within the sector.

The Conditions of service will be in accordance with the Belize Constitution (Public Service) Regulations, 2014, Financial and Store Orders, Finance and Audit (Reform) Act and any other instructions issued from time to time.

The Principal Education Officer assigned to the Tertiary Education Unit is responsible for the coordination, administration, and continuous improvement of processes that support quality assurance, institutional regulation, and system performance across public and private tertiary education institutions. In fulfilling this role, the Principal Education Officer provides technical guidance and advisory support to tertiary institutions to strengthen academic delivery, governance arrangements, and internal quality assurance mechanisms. The Principal Education Officer maintains regular working relationships with tertiary institutions, statutory bodies, professional councils, and relevant public sector agencies to facilitate information sharing, coordination, and effective implementation of regulatory and quality assurance processes. The role also supports inter-agency and development partner initiatives related to tertiary education, including project coordination, reporting, and monitoring of agreed outputs. The Principal Education Officer supports the management of the day-to-day operations of the Unit, supervises staff, and oversees their development in all the relevant specialist areas. The incumbent communicates effectively with senior and junior personnel within the Ministry, tertiary institutions, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders to foster collaboration and support for the development of the tertiary education sector.