Individual Education Consultant for a Customized AI Competency Framework Development for Teachers

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 Bangkok Time) : 16-AUG-2025

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

1. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This consultancy in Lao PDR is under the Education Section of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, which supports the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) across the Asia-Pacific region. As part of its education programme, UNESCO—through the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Programme in Lao PDR—supports the enhancement of teachers’ digital and artificial intelligence (AI) competencies. The aim is to empower teachers to integrate AI and digital technologies into their teaching practices effectively and ethically, thereby contributing to improved quality and equity in education.

In Lao PDR, digital transformation is a national priority, and building AI competencies among teachers is essential to advancing this agenda. AI presents new opportunities to enhance teaching and learning by enabling more effective pedagogical approaches, personalized learning, and the development of critical thinking skills. However, without a clearly defined and contextually relevant framework, teachers may face challenges in adopting AI in meaningful, ethical, and inclusive ways.

To address this need, UNESCO Bangkok, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), is supporting the development of a customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR. The framework will align with key national strategies, including the Digital Strategy for Education 2025–2035, the Lao Teacher Standards, and the ICT Competency Standards for Teachers (ICT-CST), while also drawing on UNESCO’s global guidance—particularly the AI Competency Frameworks for Teachers and Students, developed in 2024.

As part of the customization process, UNESCO has translated these global frameworks into Lao. They are intended to guide educators and policymakers in fostering essential digital and AI-related competencies, with a strong emphasis on ethical use, digital literacy, and effective pedagogical integration.

As the next step, UNESCO Bangkok is seeking an experienced consultant to provide technical guidance to the national task force in developing a customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR.

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this assignment is to provide strategic advisory and technical support to the national task force in developing a customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR. The consultant will be expected to apply analytical expertise, knowledge of international competency standards, and educational planning methods to ensure the framework’s contextual relevance and alignment with both national priorities and global benchmarks.

Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for:

• Advising on the structure, methodology, and content of the AI Competency Framework, leveraging comparative frameworks and international promising practices.
• Designing and facilitating two national technical workshops to guide and support task force members through a structured and participatory drafting and refinement process of the framework, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and UNESCO.
• Co-designing and co-facilitating a national validation meeting to review and validate the draft framework, ensuring it is contextually relevant, technically sound, incorporates diverse stakeholder perspectives and aligned with both national priorities and UNESCO’s global guidance.
• Providing written technical inputs, synthesizing stakeholder feedback, identifying key recommendations, and supporting the finalization of the customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers, through analytical review and strategic input, to ensure readiness for submission for official approval

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Within the framework of the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) in Lao PDR Programme, the Individual Specialist will be expected to apply methodological expertise, policy planning insight, and advisory competencies to guide and support the development of the customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR. The consultant will collaborate closely with national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and Sports and the national task force, and will undertake the following key responsibilities:

1.    Advisory and Facilitation of Two National Workshops to Develop a Customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR:
(i)    Conduct a thorough review and contextual analysis of relevant national and international frameworks and standards, including but not limited to: 
        - ICT Competency Standards for Teachers in Lao PDR
        - Digital Strategy for Education in Lao PDR 2025-2035
        - UNESCO AI Competency Frameworks for Teachers and Students
(ii)    Collaborate in co-designing the workshop agenda, methodologies, materials, and facilitation tools for the workshops to ensure relevance and effectiveness;
(iii)    Lead the facilitation and provide expert guidance throughout two intensive 5-day workshops aimed at drafting and refining the customized AI Competency Framework in the Lao language; and
(iv)    Advise and provide guidance to members of the national task force—including teachers, school directors, teacher educators, and education officers—in their drafting efforts, ensuring the framework is contextually appropriate and aligned with both national priorities and UNESCO’s global guidance. 

2.    Analytical Review and Refinement of the Draft Framework to finalize the Customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR:
(i)    Conduct an in-depth analysis of the draft framework developed during the workshops, proivde detailed technical feedback and prepare structured recommendations to enhance clarity, coherence, and alignment with established standards; and
(ii)    Collaborate with the national task force to integrate stakeholder feedback, ensuring the final draft is robust, culturally relevant, ready for stakeholder validation and policy-level endorsement.

3.    Planning and Co-Facilitation of the Validation Meeting for the Customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers in Lao PDR:
(i)    Co-design and develop the agenda and content strategy for a one-day validation meeting, incorporating participatory methords to encourage informed review and consensus-building; 
(ii)    Co-facilitate and provide technical advice and support during the validation meeting, guiding discussions toward actionable recommendations and final refinements in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports; and
(iii)    Synthesize feedback gathered from stakeholder, and contribute to proposing final refinements to the framework to ensure its readiness for official submission and approval.

4.    Preparation of the Consultancy Close-Out Report:
(i)    Draft a concise close-out report (maximum five A4 pages, excluding annexes) that documents the advisory services, strategic inputs, the technical support, and capacity-building activities provided throughout the customization process. The report should consolidate and summarize feedback from technical workshop participants and the validation meeting, include reflections and insights gained during the assignment, and provide recommendations for the future application, adaptation, or periodic updating of the framework to remain relevant in response to evolving technologies and education needs.

4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

The consultant will be required to work from August to December 2025. The deliverables for this consultancy are outlined below, with provisional submission dates:

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

5. LOCATION AND TRAVEL

The consultant will be home-based and work remotely from any location. They must be available for virtual meetings with the UNESCO Bangkok team during official working hours in Bangkok, Thailand (UTC+7). 

The consultant will be required to undertake official travel in relation to project implementation during the assignment period. All travel must be in economy class, and the consultant will receive a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at the standard UN rate. This rate may be reduced, as necessary, if the number of days exceeds the limits stipulated in the ICSC table of rates. DSA is only payable when travel occurs outside the consultant’s usual place of residence or work.

The consultant is expected to arrange their own travel and will be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO’s rules and regulations. All travel costs (e.g., the cost of tickets, terminal fares, and DSA) must be agreed upon and fixed in advance between the consultant and UNESCO.

Expected Travel (tentative):

(i)  Trip 1: Facilitate and provide technical support during the first technical workshop on the development of the Customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers, tentatively scheduled for September 2025 in Vientiane Province.

(ii)  Trip 2: Facilitate and provide technical support during the second technical workshop, tentatively scheduled for September–October 2025 in Vientiane Province.

(iii)  Trip 3: Co-facilitate and provide technical support during the validation meeting on the Customized AI Competency Framework for Teachers, tentatively scheduled for October–November 2025 in Vientiane Capital.

6. SUPERVISORY ARRANGEMENT

The consultant will work under the overall authority of the Regional Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director and Chief of Education Section. Day-to-day technical coordination will be conducted in close consultation with the Programme Coordinator for the Capacity Development for Education (CapED). 

The consultant will maintain regular communication with the UNESCO CapED team through email correspondence and virtual meetings to ensure smooth coordination, progress monitoring, and alignment with programme priorities.

At the start of the assignment, the consultant will participate in an initial online meeting with UNESCO Bangkok to reconfirm the scope and parameters of the consultancy. This meeting will also serve to review and, if necessary, adjust the consultancy work plan and timeline. It will also define the specific sub-tasks and interim deliverables to be carried out by the consultant, as well as clarify the support and inputs expected from UNESCO Bangkok and collaborating partners for the effective implementation of the activities.

7. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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8. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, teacher education, curriculumdevelopment, educational technologies, including areas related to ICT and artificial intelligence in education, or related fields.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the field of education, with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: digital technology in education, digital or AI competencies for teachers, teacher professional development, or curriculum design. 
• Experience in designing, adapting, and developing competency frameworks related to digital and AI skills for educators or teacher education institutions.
• Experience in planning and facilitating technical workshops, consultations, or capacity-building events in education.
• Prior experience working in multi-stakeholder and cross-cultural environments, preferably in the Asia-Pacific region.

Skills/Competencies

• Strong analytical and research skills, and knowledge of educational planning, framework development, and participatory methods.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical inputs and stakeholder feedback into practical recommendations.
• Proven facilitation skills, particularly in leading technical workshops, consultations, or capacity-building sessions.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English with excellent report writing and documentation skills; working knowledge of Lao or Thai is an asset.
• Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms for remote collaboration, communication, and data collection, if required.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and cross-sectoral teams.
• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills, including with diverse stakeholders (e.g., teachers, policymakers, development partners).

Languages

• Fluency in English (spoken and written).

9. APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission of Application: 

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:

•    An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter outlining how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
•    Written technical and financial proposal (in English):

1. A concise Approach to Work and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 3 pages, A4), detailing how you plan to address the specific components of the work assignment, including the intended objectives, outputs, and deliverables. Please include references to relevant examples of successfully completed assignments of a similar nature or comparable assignments.
2. 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 broken down based on level of effort, time-on-task, or per expected deliverable/output.
3. Any anticipated travel expenses must be itemized and presented separately from the consultant fee.

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 best value for money.

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, proposed consultancy fee and travel-related cost.
•    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 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

10. SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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