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National Consultant to Develop a Technical Assistance Project Proposal (TAPP) for GPE STG Proposal

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Dhaka

Classification of duty station: Field Office

Standard Duration of Assignment: From 1 to 6 months

Job Family: Education

Type of contract: Non Staff

Duration of contract : 4 months 

Recruitment open to : External candidates 

Application Deadline (Midnight Dhaka Time): 03 March 2026

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

  1. Background

Over the past decades, Bangladesh’s education sector has made significant progress in expanding access and achieving gender parity in enrolment. Despite these gains, learning outcomes remain below desired levels, and systemic challenges continue to limit quality improvement. In particular, structural weaknesses in teacher recruitment, deployment, professional development, and management have been identified as key constraints to effective teaching and learning. Although the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has implemented a range of initiatives to improve teacher quality, including the introduction of pre- and in-service training programs, such as the Certificate in Education and the Diploma in Primary Education, as well as various Continuous Professional Development (CPD) interventions, these efforts have often been fragmented and predominantly theoretical and insufficiently aligned with classroom practice. The absence of a comprehensive teacher policy, limited coherence between training and career progression, weak supervisory and support mechanisms, and inadequate accountability structures have further constrained the effectiveness and sustainability of these interventions. Responding to the above challenges, the GoB has developed a Partnership Compact and identified teacher professionalization as the priority reform area. To advance this reform agenda, the GoB subsequently developed a System Transformation Grant (STG) proposal, “Teacher Professionalization for Effective Teaching towards Enhanced Learning Outcomes,” and submitted it to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The proposal is currently being revised for final submission to the GPE Secretariat. UNESCO and UNICEF are the co-Grant Agents of the STG in Bangladesh. UNESCO Dhaka seeks to engage a national consultant to develop a Technical Assistance Project Proposal (TAPP), secure the GoB’s approval of the TAPP, and operationalize the GPE STG proposal.

 

Long Description

2. Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall authority of the Head of Office, the direct supervision of the Head of Education, UNESCO Dhaka Office, the overall guidance of the co-Grant Agents (UNESCO and UNICEF), and in close collaboration with MoE and MoPME, the consultant will support the GoB in developing an implementation-ready TAPP for GPE STG through a consultative process involving key education stakeholders and securing approval from the planning ministry as well as from ECNEC.  Specifically, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

  • Support the development and finalization of the TAPP through close consultation and coordination with MoE, MoPME, and their affiliated institutions, as well as other relevant ministries and education stakeholders.
  • Provide technical inputs to ensure that the TAPP is technically sound, feasible, and aligned with the GPE STG proposal and relevant sub-sector programs, particularly the Fifth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP5) and Secondary Education Development Program (SEDP).
  • Support the government approval process of the TAPP by addressing the government and partners’ feedback and closely following up on the submission, review, and approval processes. 

Inception Phase 

  • Kick-off meeting with co-Grant Agents, MoE, and MoPME to define the workplan, including the scope, sequence, and timelines of the consultant’s assignment.
  • Conduct a desk review of relevant documents, including but not limited to GPE STG proposal, Partnership Compact, Enabling Factor Analysis, and key national planning and budgeting guidelines relevant to TAPP preparation.
  • Submit an inception report outlining the consultant’s workplan. 

 

Consultations

  • Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders to inform implementation arrangements, costing, and sequencing of STG-supported interventions within the TAPP
  • Summarize key findings to support the design of the TAPP.

 

TAPP Development 

  • Develop a TAPP based on the final STG proposal and the government and partner consultations in accordance with the Government of Bangladesh formats and procedures.
  • Ensure integration of gender, inclusion, disability, and climate resilience perspectives in the TAPP.

Long Description

Validation and Finalization of TAPP 

  • Present draft TAPP to UNESCO, UNICEF, MoE, MoPME, and relevant ministries for feedback.
  • Facilitate validation of TAPP and incorporate comments.
  • Finalize the TAPP for submission and endorsement from the relevant ministries, Planning Commission, and ECNEC

 

Deliverables and Submission Timeline

  • Inception report with a detailed work plan by 05 March 2026
  • First Draft of TAPP, including theory of change, results framework, MEAL plan, governance and implementation arrangements, costing, and risk mitigation measures, ready for stakeholder review and validation by 25 March 2026
  • Second Draft of TAPP incorporating feedback from the co-Grant Agents and relevant ministries by 10 April 2026
  • Final TAPP ready for submission by 15 April 2026
  • Revision of TAPP and follow-up on the submission as needed by Until June 2026

Short Description

Duration of Assignment: Expected duration of the assignment is 40 days over a period of four (4) months, with an anticipated start date in the 1st week of March 2026. The timeline may be adjusted based on mutual agreement between UNESCO and the Consultant.

 

 

Duty Station and Travel 

  • The Consultant will be based in Dhaka to work closely with the Education team of UNESCO Dhaka and report to the Head of Education, UNESCO Dhaka Office. 
  • Travel and logistics will be arranged by UNESCO as needed in consultation with the Consultant and relevant government counterparts, following applicable travel policies. 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

  • At least a master’s degree in education, social sciences, public policy, international development, or a related field.
  •  A PhD would be an advantage. 


Work Experience: 

  • Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the education sector planning, policy development, teacher development, or related areas.
  • Proven experience in developing Technical Assistance Project Proposals (TAPP) or Development Project Proposals (DPP), including navigating government approval processes and aligning with national policies, sector, and global priorities.
  • Broad familiarity with the rules, procedures, and financial systems of government agencies as well as bilateral and multilateral development partners in Bangladesh.
  • Understanding the development, implementation, and approval processes for government projects/programs, including budgeting, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation systems.

Long Description

Skills and Competencies: 

  • Strong analytical and technical writing skills, with experience producing high-quality, government-endorsable technical documents.
  • Excellent facilitation, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize diverse stakeholder inputs and lead multi-stakeholder consultations.
  • Ability to integrate gender, equity, inclusion, and climate-resilience considerations into Technical Assistance Project Proposal (TAPP) designs.
  • Fluency in English and Bangla is required.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

The consultant will be paid in installments upon completion and approval of specific deliverables. The payment schedule will be defined in the contractual agreement.

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 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 at the end of the Word document with the following required information:

 

  • Short “Approach to work” (maximum 3 pages) outlining how the intended objectives/output of the assignment will be addressed.
  • An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a minimum of two (2) writing samples (first 10 pages of each work) from recent projects showcasing proficiency in the thematic areas of the consultancy.
  • Proposed daily rate for the consultancy, which should be quoted in USD.

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 an 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. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization. 

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