Individual Consultant - Gender transformative Education for Health and Well-being

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 1 - Junior

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Bangkok

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 27/09/2026

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

1. Background and Objective

The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok) covers Afghanistan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand. The office represents UNESCO in the United Nations regional architecture, namely the Regional Collaborative Platform for Asia-Pacific, and leads the regional coordination of Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Within the Education Section at UNESCO Bangkok, the Education for Health and Well-being programme (EHWB) is guided by the UNESCO Strategy on Education for Health and Well-being (2022–2029), which promotes a comprehensive approach to school health and well-being and contributes to achieving SDGs 3, 4 and 5. Through its EHWB programme, UNESCO Bangkok provides technical assistance, capacity development, policy advice, evidence-generation and partnership coordination among education ministries, stakeholders and partners on school health and nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and the promotion of  safe and inclusive learning environments, including addressing all forms of school-related violence and bullying. 

Current EHWB programme initiatives include support for Health Promoting Schools, learner and teacher MHPSS in education systems, disability-inclusive and gender-transformative CSE, teacher capacity development, prevention and response to school violence, including school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), and regional collaboration to advance adolescent health in and through education, including sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention. Country-focused projects include the  strengthening of teacher capacity in Lao PDR for gender-transformative education by mainstreaming gender-responsive pedagogy (GRP) in initial teacher education curricula, including CSE.

In late 2026, UNESCO Bangkok will commence implementation of a new project at regional and country level in three Asian countries (Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Bangladesh -TBC). The project aims to strengthen education systems, teacher education and multi-sectoral partnerships to improve the delivery of high-quality, gender-transformative CSE and SRGBV prevention and response, while fostering healthy, safe and inclusive learning environments for adolescents and youth. 

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The Individual Specialist will support the planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of UNESCO Bangkok’s EHWB programme priorities on CSE, SRGBV and whole-school approaches to young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)- including its country-focused GRP work in Lao PDR, and with emphasis on results-based management support to its forthcoming multi-county project.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of  the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok), the guidance of the Chief of Education, and the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor on Education for Health and Well-being, the Individual Specialist will perform the following tasks:

1. Provide project management support to the six-month inception phase of the new multi-country project that focuses on:

•    Enhanced policy frameworks, governance mechanisms or operational plans to deliver quality CSE and SRGBV prevention and response.
•    High quality and coherent initial teacher education, in-service training and continuous support.
•    Strengthened partnerships and coordination mechanisms improve linkages with services and foster healthy, safe and inclusive learning environments.

In this regard, the Individual Specialist shall,

1.1. At Bangkok Office regional level:

i.    Coordinate and monitor project inception activities, including engagement with field offices, partners, and tracking progress against agreed outputs and timelines.
ii.    Facilitate regional coordination and cross-country learning between Asia project countries, including liaison with the donor, government counterparts, teacher education networks, experts, and project partners.
iii.    Support the organization of regional meetings and events, including administrative, logistical, and coordination arrangements.
iv.    Contribute to project communications, documentation, and reporting, including visibility activities, knowledge products, donor reporting, and maintenance of project records.

1.2. At Lao PDR country level:

i.    Support establishment and maintenance of stakeholder engagement and coordination mechanisms by mapping relevant national and local stakeholders, facilitating regular communication among partners, and supporting the establishment of governance and coordination structures with clearly defined roles and responsibilities within the inception phase.
ii.    Coordinate and support the implementation of project inception activities by organizing inception and technical review meetings, validation workshops, and stakeholder consultations, ensuring alignment with national priorities and agreed implementation approaches.
iii.    Coordinate baseline data collection and evidence-generation processes by providing technical inputs, supporting national consultants and partners, and ensuring data collection activities are conducted in accordance with the project Results Framework and agreed timelines.
iv.    Promote meaningful adolescent and youth participation throughout project implementation by supporting the design and operationalization of participation mechanisms and integrating youth perspectives into project planning, monitoring, and learning processes.
v.    Monitor implementation progress and ensure timely delivery of project activities by tracking actions, deliverables, and milestones, following up with consultants and partners, and identifying and addressing implementation bottlenecks.
vi.    Prepare and consolidate project progress reporting by compiling implementation updates, performance indicator data, lessons learned, and promising practices from the inception phase in accordance with donor and UNESCO reporting requirements.

Long Description

2. Provide project management support to the pilot-testing activity in Lao PDR for GRP integration in TEI curricula, including CSE:
i.    Provide technical oversight and quality assurance support by reviewing and providing feedback on technical deliverables, backstopping partner implementation of activities, and monitoring progress against agreed outputs, deliverables, and timelines.
ii.    Support coordination, stakeholder engagement, and learning by facilitating communication and coordination among UNESCO Bangkok, national implementing partner(s) and national consultant(s); supporting the organization of technical review and validation meetings; and contributing to the consolidation of findings, lessons learned, and recommendations from pilot implementation.
iii.    Contribute to knowledge management and reporting through the preparation of project reports, briefing notes, knowledge products, and communication materials related to GRP integration, CSE, and gender equality in teacher education.

3. Provide technical inputs to the development of internal and external project concept notes – including for resource mobilization - on gender-transformative CSE and addressing SRGBV, including through research, drafting of narrative text, preparing supporting documentation and documenting partnership information.

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

4. Timeline and Deliverables

The Individual Specialist will be required to work during the period 15 November 2026 to 14 May 2027 (tentatively). 

The deliverables for this consultancy are outlined below, with provisional submission dates. All deliverables must be submitted in English language to UNESCO Bangkok for its approval.

5. Location and Travel

The Individual Specialist is expected to be based in Bangkok and will work from the premises of UNESCO Bangkok office during official working hours. The Individual Specialist may be required to travel on missions directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The Individual Specialist should travel economy class and receive 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. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission.  

6. Supervision and Reporting

The individual Specialist will work under the overall authority of the Regional Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok), and the overall guidance of the Deputy Director and Chief of Education Section, and the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor on Education for Health and Wellbeing. Day-to-day technical coordination will be conducted in close consultation with the Regional Advisor and members of the Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) programme. On an ad-hoc basis, the Individual specialist will engage with the Programme Coordinator for the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Lao PDR programme based in Bangkok Office, as well as Health and Education project personnel from relevant UNESCO field offices in Asia and at UNESCO HQs.

7. Competencies - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Accountability (C)
• Communication (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Innovation (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

8. Required and Desirable Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

Education 
•    Advanced university degree (Master's degree) in education, social sciences, gender studies, international development, or related fields. 

Work Experience
•    Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience of project management in education programming, with knowledge of mainstreaming gender equality, comprehensive sexuality education, or addressing school-related gender-based violence, or related fields; 
•    A minimum of 1 year of experience with development, international cooperation or bilateral organizations, working at the international level. 

Skills and competencies
•    Technical and analytical expertise
•    Proficiency in organization, planning, and project design
•    Strong sense of accountability
•    Creative and innovative thinking
•    Resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to prioritise large amounts of work while under pressure
•    Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, for clear and concise documentation and report writing
•    Good analytical, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills, including using digital and non-digital tools.
•    Politically and culturally sensitive, awareness of education sector gender equality issues -including socio-political sensitivities surrounding diverse sexual orientation, gender identities and expressions (SOGIE), with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
•    Team- oriented and collaborative while simultaneously able work with initiative and independence, when needed.

Languages
•    Excellent proficiency of English writing and speaking.

Long Description

Desirable Qualifications:

•    Experience in teacher education and training would be a strong asset.
•    Relevant professional experience in Asia would be a strong asset.
•    Experience working with or supporting UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, regional education networks, or development partners on education and gender equality initiatives.
•    Experience working with government counterparts, education institutions, or development partners in low- and middle-income countries.

9. Application Process

Submission of Application

Interested individuals are invited to submit the application and requirements through 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 submission, please insert the extra pages with the following required information and upload as a single PDF document.

Before uploading the file, please ensure that the required documents are sequenced in the following order:
•    A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
•    Written technical and financial proposals (in English):

o    Approach to carrying out the assignment (maximum one, A4 page)’
o    The proposed monthly rates or the amount/budge to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD
o    Employment History (using UNESCO Form)
o    CV

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 Organization 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 proposed consultancy fee.
•    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 the system, please inform us at ed.bgk@unesco.org 
•    Queries of a technical nature about these TORS may be directed to: ed.bgk@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.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and 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.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

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).

Please note that only selected candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.