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Individual Consultant - Develop Guidelines for National Information Centres in the Asia-Pacific

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract (Author)

Level :  Level 3- Senior

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Bangkok

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 5 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 04-MAR-2026

 

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

1. Background

National Information Centres (NICs) are a key mechanism for enhancing transparency, information sharing and mutual recognition of higher education qualifications across the Asia-Pacific, as stipulated in the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education (Tokyo Convention). As secretariat to the Tokyo Convention and the Asia-Pacific Network of National Information Centres (APNNIC), the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok) has been supporting countries to ratify and implement the Tokyo Convention, including through technical guidance and capacity building for NICs. The 2014 Asia-Pacific Guidelines for National Information Centres, developed under the coordination of UNESCO Bangkok, provided foundational guidance for the establishment and operationalisation of NICs in the region.

 

Since 2014, increased student and staff mobility, online delivery modes, digital credentialing, and transnational education have reshaped the higher education landscape. To date, 12 states have ratified the Tokyo Convention, with several countries in the process of ratifying. A common interest among member states is the need for updated  guidance that is practical, context-responsive, and aligned with contemporary needs. Meanwhile, the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications Concerning Higher Education (Global Convention) entered into force in 2023, with the Operational Guidelines of the Global Convention adopted in June 2025 providing a shared framework and language to support the Global Convention’s effective implementation.

 

UNESCO Bangkok, with the support of the Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust (KFIT), is implementing the project 'Educational Innovation & Regional Integration in Asia-Pacific: Action Plan to Facilitate Cross-border Recognition of Qualifications for Students and Professionals' (2025 – 2028). It aims to increase student and faculty mobility in the region and improve fair and transparent qualifications recognition through increased capacities to ratify and implement the Tokyo Convention and Global Convention on Higher Education. 


As part of the project’s implementation and in line with the APNNIC Action Plan to 2030, UNESCO Bangkok seeks to engage a consultant to develop updated  guidelines for NICs in the Asia-Pacific region, building upon the 2014 Guidelines and informed by latest developments including the entry into force of the Tokyo Convention and Global Convention, best practices, including case studies and expert consultations.

Long Description

2. Work Assignment

The consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

 

1)     Desk review and inception planning: review the latest developments in terms of NICs (including other national implementation structures) and qualifications recognition of Asia-Pacific countries and other regions (in particular the European Region), and develop an inception report including the literature review, proposed methodology, outline of the updated guidelines, work plan and timeline for the assignment.

•    Deliverable: inception report 
•    Estimated number of working days: 5 working days 

2)    Develop a presentation of the initial findings from the desk review, including a preliminary selection of case studies on establishing and operationalising NICs.

•    Deliverable: Presentation of the initial findings including preliminary selection of case studies 
•    Estimated number of working days: 10 working days

3)    Co-facilitate with UNESCO Bangkok consultation meetings with experts in higher education qualification recognition, including APNNIC members.

•    Deliverable: Consultation meeting reports
•    Estimated number of working days: 5 working days

4)    Develop the first draft of the updated guidelines based on feedback from experts and APNNIC members. 

•    Deliverable: First draft of the guidelines
•    Estimated working days: 10 working days

5)    Following review by APNNIC members, experts and UNESCO Bangkok, incorporate feedback into the guidelines including the selection of case studies and best practices. 

•    Deliverable: Revised Draft of Guidelines
•    Estimated number of working days: 7 working days

6)    Co-facilitate with UNESCO Bangkok the  validation workshop with experts and APNNIC members to finalise the guidelines. 

•    Deliverable: Final Guidelines
•    Estimated number of working days: 1 working day

Long Description

7)    Ensure that the guidelines comply with the following clauses: 

  • Ensure the publication adheres to all guidelines in the ‘UNESCO Style Manual’ (2004 version available at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000141812) such as terminology, abbreviations, acronyms and format of footnotes, etc.;
  • Streamline UNESCO’s gender strategy, ensure the Guidelines on Gender-Neutral Language is applied throughout the publication (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377299);  
  • When referring to the region, ensure to avoid using ‘in the Asia-Pacific’ and ‘in Asia Pacific’. Instead, use one of the following terms interchangeably: in the Asia-Pacific region, in Asia and the Pacific, and in Asia-Pacific;
  • Use the proper names and place names that correspond to UNESCO official usage and comply the official names of these following countries (where applicable): Taiwan = Taiwan province of China, Hong Kong = Hong Kong SAR, China, South Korea = Republic of Korea, Vietnam = Viet Nam, Iran = Iran (Islamic Republic of), Laos = Lao PDR. UNESCO member states to be double checked at https://en.unesco.org/countries;
  • Compile a list of tables, figures (including diagram, chart, illustration), photos (including images, cartoons, icons) and other graphic elements from the third party-materials by using a template provided by UNESCO and secure the intellectual property rights by using the “permission consent form” (provided by UNESCO);  
  • Ensure that no plagiarised or self-plagiarised material is published without appropriate acknowledgement of the source;
  • Provide a proper credit or citation to the original work of the third-party materials. For any materials created by author, the “Source: author” should be placed underneath aforementioned materials; 
  • Avoid including maps (global, regional, country) that could be politically sensitive or that could affect the legal status of any country, territory, city, area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. If the map must be used, seeking DPI/PAX clearance is required (refer to a memo);
  • Ensure greater coherence among Education publications, the structure should be following this order; cover, legal page, short summary (refer to https://unesco.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/UNESCOBangkokTeam/Ev_r2Wwxg_NAvs2LiSbYQwQBzavP0oSYtHxuZ3x-k_fUdA?e=DnuNiF), blank page, inside title page, foreword, acknowledgements, table of contents and list of figures and tables, executive summary and the content (refer to (1) How to Structure and (2) Foreword/Preface guideline—to be provided by UNESCO);
  • Ensure that the publication is in full compliance with the international copyrights policy to avoid any illegal consequences as outline in the ‘General Terms and Conditions’ which annexed in this contract;
  • Submit a draft manuscript in MS Word file including those permission form (if any) to UNESCO;
  • Improve and incorporate suggested changes (if required) and finalise the manuscript until it is considered as satisfactory;
  • Strictly meet the committed deadline.

3. Expected deliverables and tentative work schedule

1)    Inception Report including the proposed methodology, outline of the updated guidelines, work plan and timeline for the assignment by 20 March 2026
2)    Presentation of the initial findings from the desk review by 3 April 2026
3)    Reports of consultation meetings with experts in higher education qualification recognition and APNNIC members by 10 April 2026
4)    First Draft of Guidelines including a preliminary selection of case studies on establishing and operationalising NICs by 24 April 2026
5)    Revised Draft of Guidelines incorporating peer review feedback by 5 June 2026
6)    Final Guidelines by 10 July 2026 

4. Supervisory Arrangements

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Bangkok, the overall guidance of the Chief of Education, and the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Specialist, the consultant will carry out the assigned tasks in consultation with the experts and APNNIC members. In addition to the submission of contract deliverables, the consultant will routinely engage with the Chief of the Education Section and Education Section staff through emails and meetings. Upon commencing the consultancy, the consultant will participate in an initial online meeting with UNESCO Bangkok to reconfirm the scope of the assignment and to update, as needed, the approach to work and timeline, to define required sub-tasks and interim outputs to be carried out and the supportive inputs required from UNESCO and partners on the respective activities.

5. Location and travel

The consultancy assignment will primarily be home-based in any location and can be done by working remotely. The consultant can also visit the UNESCO Bangkok Office at their own cost if they are based outside Bangkok. The consultant should be available to meet with the UNESCO Bangkok team (online) during office hours of Bangkok, Thailand. 

6. Competencies

  • Accountability (C)
  • Communication (C)
  • Teamwork (C)
  • Innovation (C)
  • Results focus (C)
  • Planning and organizing (C)

 

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

7. Qualifications and experience requirements:

Required Qualifications

 

Education

  • Advanced university degree (minimum master’s degree) in higher education administration and management, education policy or related field.  

 

Work Experience

  • Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in international cooperation in higher education within the Asia-Pacific context.
  • Experience of producing academic and policy publications on higher education, for example mobility, qualifications recognition, quality assurance, internationalisation.
  • Demonstrated expertise in collaborating with governmental bodies on related research and regional consultations. 

 

Skills

  • Excellent analytical and research skills in the fields of higher education mobility, qualifications recognition, quality assurance, national and regional qualifications frameworks, and higher education internationalisation.
  • Experience of organising and facilitating online consultation meetings.
  • Understands complex information and quickly identifies key issues;
  • Forms sound, evidence-based judgments and assesses risks to project delivery.

 

Language

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

 

Desirable qualifications

  • Prior experience working with the United Nations system/UNESCO.
  • Knowledge of languages of the Asia-Pacific region.

 

8. Application Process

Interested individuals are invited to submit the application and requirements to the UNESCO Careers website at https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl  

 

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the completed form, please add the following documents as extra pages at the end of the Word file: 


A. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter outlining how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.

B. Technical Proposal (maximum 5 A4 pages)

Your technical proposal must include the following information:

  1. Description of the methodology that you will use to carry out the tasks outlined under section “2. Work assignment”.
  2. Rationale as to why you are interested and best suited to carry out this work in collaboration with UNESCO, together with relevant examples that demonstrate your experience carrying out similar initiatives (e.g. policy guidelines, analytical reports, UN/UNESCO publications).

C. Financial Proposal

  1. The proposed consultancy fee for the assignment should be quoted in USD, indicating either a daily or monthly rates or a lump sum amount. The total consultancy fees should include a detailed breakdown based on level of effort, time-on-task, or per expected deliverable/output.  

 

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.

Long Description

Assessment: 
Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
Evaluation of qualified applicants will include the review of the curriculum vitae, technical proposal and financial proposal.
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.

To apply, please submit your application through the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at apnnic@unesco.org. Please indicate “Call for consultancy – Asia-Pacific NIC Guidelines” in the email subject line for ease of reference. 

Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered. Any applications submitted after the deadline will automatically be disqualified from the process.

Queries of a technical nature about these Terms of Reference may be directed to: apnnic@unesco.org

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
  • lndividuals 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.
  • The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
  • UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.

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