Individual Consultant for Education

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) 

Duty Station: Remote  

Classification of duty station: Field Office  

Standard Duration of Assignement : 6 Months 

Job Family: Education 

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : 6 Months  

Recruitment open to :  Internal and external candidates 

Application Deadline (Midnight Dhaka Time) : 04 June 2025 

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

More than one million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are being hosted in Asia. Bangladesh is hosting some 960,000 Rohingya refugees and Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs). The Rohingya issue has become a protracted crisis since the largest influx in 2017. UNESCO has provided education and skills development opportunities to the Rohingya and Host Communities since 2018 in collaboration with international and national organisations.

Bangladesh is moving forward with adopting ICT in education with an increasing discussion on integrating ICT and AI in the education system. The National Academy for Educational Management of Bangladesh has developed and ICT-CFT for teachers. With more interest in AI, UNESCO has been working with government partners to explore the use of ICT and AI.

Bangladesh is now preparing to apply for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Transformation Grant (STG)—an allocation of up to USD 48.85 million—to support the identified priority reforms. The GoB, through the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME), as Chair of the ELCG, recently endorsed UNICEF and UNESCO’s joint Expression of Interest (EoI) to become joint Grant Agents (GA) for the GPE’s STG.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer, Cox’s Bazar and Head of Education, Dhaka and overall guidance of the UNESCO Country Representative in Bangladesh, the individual international consultant will support the implementation of UNESCO’s education and skills development projects for Rohingya and host communities, interventions on ICT and AI, GPE STG programme development and perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Support the implementation of the Education and Livelihood and Skills Development programmes for Rohingya and host community people

• Support the analysis and presentation of quantitative data relating to projects in the Cox’s Bazar Education Sector and Livelihood and Skills Development Sector (LSDS).
• Provide support and guidance on the progress management, quality assurance, and evaluation of on-going and future projects.
• Assist in the development of technical support of new interventions or projects on literacy and livelihood skills development, to include emerging opportunities in ICT and digital skills development.
• Assist with the drafting of project documents including concept notes, budget files, meeting minutes, narrative reports, etc.
• Support UNESCO’s technical role and position on reference groups for quality assurance in the Cox’s Bazar Education Sector and LSDS, by reviewing shared documents to assess the effectiveness of the methodological processes and data analysis.
• Support the development of knowledge and communications materials for outreach and resource mobilisation.
• Assist the Communications and Public Engagement Officer in the content development, technical aspects and regular maintenance of the Rohingya Response webpage of UNESCO Bangladesh.

Long Description

2. Support the implementation of AI in Education Webinar Series and other ICT/AI-related activities

• Support the preparation of each webinar sessions including invitation of the speakers, formulation of the programmes, arranging the registration, etc.
• Provide organisational and technical support during the webinar sessions to ensure smooth participation and discussion.
• Contribute to the reporting and documentation of each session’s discussion and the final synthesis report.
• Coordinate the preparation and organization of the webinar series with partners.
• Assist with the knowledge and communications productions regarding the webinar series.
• Act as the focal point for UNESCO-UNICEF Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative in Bangladesh to coordinate participation of global level activities.
• Support the finalisation and launching of the STEM study report.
• Support the UNESCO Dhaka office to establish new initiatives in AI for education in Bangladesh.

3. Support the development and implementation of education programmes led by the UNESCO Dhaka Office, including but not limited to the System Transformation Grant funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 

• Support the drafting and review of programme documents.
• Review output from other staff and consultants and support quality assurance.
• Support the documentation of education programme development in the UNESCO Teams and Record Centres.

4. Support the overall operation and implementation of programmes and activities

• Support the drafting and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation, and external reporting.
• Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor and the Head of Office.

DELIVERABLES

• A workplan at the beginning of the appointment
• Monthly progress reports highlighting progress of project implementation, submitted documents (including webinar reports), opportunities identified, challenges encountered and other relevant information.
• Published session briefing reports and final synthesis reports of the webinar series
• A final report at the end of the contract period summarising activities completed, opportunities identified, challenges addressed, lessons learned and recommendations for future implementation.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences or related field with a minimum of two years of relevant experience.
• Subjects: Education, international development, social studies, politics, or a related field.
• Language skills: Excellent knowledge of English is essential; knowledge of another UNESCO official language is an asset.
• Experience: Experience of working in the international development sector, preferably in education. Experience in Bangladesh is an asset. Experience of working in a UN organisation is an asset.
• Competencies and skills:
  • Good organizational and project management skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team and maintain good working relations within a multi-cultural environment.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to draft and produce a variety of written material in a clear and concise manner.
  • Good sense of teamwork, adaptability and commitment to assigned tasks.
  • Excellent digital and visualization skills. 
  • Good computer and IT skills.
  • Good statistical analysis skills.
  • Able to multitask under tight deadlines.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.

APPLICATION PROCESS, BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

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

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

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members 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. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals 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 recruitment process.