Consultant - Education Policy, Planning and Management

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 24-FEB-2025

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

1. BACKGROUND

The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok covers Afghanistan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand in addition to its UN regional mandate for Asia Pacific Region. In education, UNESCO Bangkok is leading the coordination of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 for the Asia Pacific Region.

The Education Section at UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is dedicated to strengthening the capacities of the Member States to provide equitable, inclusive, and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Through targeted support, UNESCO Bangkok assists Member States in designing, reviewing, financing, and systematically monitoring their education sector policies and plans to develop transformative education systems aligned with SDG4.

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment aims to contribute UNESCO Bangkok’s efforts in assisting Member States in designing, reviewing, financing, and monitoring their education sector policies and plans to align with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) framework.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Support the development of the 10th Education, Science, and Sports Sector Development Plan (ESSSDP) 2026–2030 in Lao PDR by providing technical expertise in policy analysis, education finance, data management, and monitoring frameworks.
• Assist in implementing Cambodia’s national teacher reform programme, with a focus on teacher policy analysis, resource projections, and recruitment strategies.
• Contribute to the ASEAN Education Work Plan (2026-2030) by conducting comparative policy analyses of national education plans across ASEAN Member States.
• Coordinate and facilitate capacity-building activities, including webinars, workshops, and technical consultations to strengthen national and regional education planning.

This consultancy will enhance policy direction, strengthen sector planning, and support evidence-based decision-making to improve education systems in UNESCO Bangkok’s Member States.

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory arrangements:

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the guidance of the Chief of Education, the Individual Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist managing the portfolio on Education Policy, Planning and Management. The support to be provided focuses on education policy, sector planning, financing, and capacity development to achieve SDG 4. Specifically, the Individual Specialist will perform the following tasks:

Terms of Reference:

3.1 As part of UNESCO Bangkok's support to the Lao government in developing the 10th Education, Science, and Sports Sector Development Plan (ESSSDP) for 2026–2030, assist in providing technical advice, advocating for evidence-based education sector analysis, and strengthening national capacity in policy analysis, education finance, simulation models, data management, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

3.2 As part of UNESCO Bangkok, UNESCO Phnom Penh, IIEP joint support to the Cambodia national teacher reform programme, assist in providing technical support and strengthening national capacity in teacher policy analysis, human and financial resource projection and teacher recruitment and deployment.

3.3 As part of UNESCO Bangkok, UNESCO Jakarta, UIS joint support on the development of ASEAN Education Work Plan (2026-2030), assist in providing technical support and advocacy on comparative analysis of national education sector plans and relevant policy initiatives of ASEAN member states.

3.4 Support the coordination and facilitation of capacity development webinars, seminars, workshops, technical consultations, and other events organized or supported by UNESCO Bangkok.

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

TRAVEL

As part of the ToR 3.2, two missions to Cambodia are foreseen. The Specialist will be required to travel on mission directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The Specialist should travel economy class and received DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations.  Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties.

4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

Deliverables

4.1 Technical Review Report on the Teacher Education Sub-Sector Plan of ESSSDP. It includes technical analysis and recommendations in the following key areas:

• Situation Analysis of the current landscape, trends, and key developments
• Existing and Emerging Challenges impacting higher education and teacher education
• Sub-Sector Outcomes aligned with national education priorities
• Sector Performance Indicators and Targets to measure progress and impact
• Strategic Approaches to achieve the desired outcomes effectively

The report aims to strengthen policy direction, enhance sector plan performance, and support evidence-based strategies formulation for the sub-sector plan of teacher education.

4.2 Technical Review Report on the Cost and Financing Plan for the ESSSDP 2026–2030. This report provides a technical review of the cost and financing plan for the 10th ESSDP (2026–2030), offering analysis and recommendations in the following key areas:

• Detailed Costed Plan for each sub-sector
• Overall Sector Costing Plan consolidating financial requirements
• Sector Financing plan outlining funding needs and allocation strategies
• Scenario Analysis to explore funding gaps and different financing options and sustainability measures
• Recommendations on costing of cross-cutting and emerging policy areas, including ICT integration and climate-responsive education planning

The report aims to ensure the methodological soundness and robustness of the sector's financial plan while addressing emerging challenges and priorities through realistic costing and financing options.

4.3 Technical Review Report on the Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the ESSSDP 2026–2030. This report provides a technical review of the Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the 10th ESSDP (2026–2030). It includes technical analysis and recommendations in the following key areas:

• System level outcome Indicators for the ESSSDP
• Intermediate Outcome Indicators for each sub-sector
• Benchmarks and Target Setting to ensure systematic progress measurement
• Recommendations for Alignment with global and regional SDG4 indicators

The report aims to enhance the effectiveness of the sector’s monitoring framework, ensuring alignment with SDG4 monitoring and sector policy goals.

4.4 Cambodia Teachers Projection Model, which is designed to project teacher requirements and associated costs for the implementation of Cambodia’s Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2024–2028. It provides detailed projections for the next five years, up to 2030, focusing on the basic education sector and aligning with the priorities and strategies outlined in the ESP.

Key Features of the Simulation Model:

• Projected Teacher Requirements for the basic education sector (including Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Primary, and Secondary levels) from 2025 to 2030.
• Annual Teacher Recruitment Projections, specifying the number of teachers needed each year, categorized by sub-sector and subject specialization.
• Estimated Annual Financial Resources required to support Cambodia’s projected teaching workforce through 2030.

This education simulation model will be accompanied by technical recommendations on teacher recruitment and deployment, which will contribute to the formulation of Cambodia’s Teacher Reform Policy, supporting the priorities and strategies outlined in the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) 2024–2028.

4.5 An analytical report presenting key findings and policy review derived from the literature review and analysis of national education sector plans of ASEAN member states. It includes technical review on in the following key areas:

• Comparative analysis of education development of Asean Member States especially on post 2015.
• Comparative analysis of key priorities and strategies in recent national education sector plans across Asean.
• Brief policy analysis on new and emerging initiative and policy development under the TES framework within the Asean Member States,

The report aims to inform and support the development of the ASEAN Workplan on Education 2026-2030.

4.6 Training Materials and Group Activities Package: A set of training materials and groupwork activities, designed in PowerPoint and Excel formats, to facilitate national workshops in Lao PDR. These resources will facilitate the development of a national AI competency framework for teachers and students in Lao PDR.

Timeframe

From: 1 March 2025   To: 31 August 2025

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent and above) in the field of education, development studies, social sciences or related areas.

Professional Work Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in the field of education at the regional/international level.
• Proven technical experience in education sector planning and financing.
• Proven experience in implementing and coordinating multi-country projects.
   

Skills/Competencies:

• Knowledge of Asia-Pacific education systems and education issues 
• Proven conceptual and analytical skills
• Effective planning and organizing ability and ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Capacity to follow up and coordinate independently with minimal supervision
• Proven ability to work efficiently in a dynamic and multicultural team environment
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills
• Proven capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships inside and outside the organization

Languages:

• Excellent proficiency of English in writing and speaking; knowledge of other UNESCO official languages is an asset. 

6. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 4 years of experience in education policy and planning
• Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific context especially for Lao and Cambodia
• Previous experience working with United Nations, international organizations or government agencies is an advantage

APPLICATION PROCESS

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.

Assessment:

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Note:

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at ed.bgk@unesco.org

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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