Consultant - Inclusive Education

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level : Level 3 - Senior

Hiring Unit : EDUCATION

Duty Station : Fiji

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 3 MONTHS

Hiring open to : Local and External Candidates

Application deadline: 11:59pm : 14th August 2026

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

BACKGROUND

Fiji has made significant progress toward building an inclusive education system through the adoption of the Special and Inclusive Education Policy 2024–2027. This policy establishes a national framework for planning, resourcing, implementing, and monitoring quality education for learners with disabilities. It mandates that all schools enroll learners with disabilities, foster positive attitudes toward inclusion, and ensure equitable access to learning opportunities.

The policy aligns Fiji’s commitments with international conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education.

Despite these advances, critical gaps remain in the provision of support services that enable students with disabilities to fully participate in education. Communication and assistive technology are areas where standards and practical guidance are urgently needed. Access to appropriate assistive devices, accessible learning materials, and communication supports is uneven across schools and institutions, with rural and resource-constrained settings facing the greatest challenges. Without clear standards and coordinated investment, students with disabilities risk exclusion from meaningful learning and lifelong opportunities.

UNESCO is addressing these challenges through the Global Disability Fund (GDF) project: From Inclusion to Equity – Accelerating CRPD Implementation and Disability-Inclusive SDGs to Advance the Rights and Equitable Opportunities of All Persons with Disabilities in Fiji. This UN Joint Programme, delivered by OHCHR, ILO, and UNESCO, is coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Fiji together with the Global Disability Focal Point Secretariat. Its overarching aim is to advance the rights and equitable opportunities of persons with disabilities in Fiji.

Within this framework, UNESCO’s contribution centres on Inclusive Education through support strengthening services in communication support and assistive technologies.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide specialized disability-inclusion technical expertise to support UNESCO and national partners through three linked tasks: first, to plan, facilitate and report findings of a multi stakeholder consultation - veivosaki;  second, to design ‘From Policy to Action Study’ framework and present it for stakeholder validation; and third, to execute the research, develop the content of the study, present the findings for final validation, and support the launch of the final study.

This is a sequence of strategic tasks to develop a design and finalise for use, the ‘From Policy to Action Study’ framework that aims to inform the operationalisation and implementation of policy commitments on communication support and assistive technologies for inclusive education in Fiji, so that learners with disabilities can access, participate in, and benefit from quality education on an equal basis with others.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this consultancy is to ensure that the facilitation of evidence based discussions, documentation of findings, and validation of the design and final content of the ‘From Policy to Action Study’ framework directly support the collective commitment to fulfil CRPD Article 24, as reflected in the National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2025–2035, the Fiji Special and Inclusive Education Policy 2024–2027, and Recommendation 15 of the Pacific Regional Inclusive Education Review 2020–2021.

Specifically, the consultancy will be aligned with the objectives of the multi-stakeholder consultations  by supporting stakeholders to: reflect on existing policy commitments and implementation progress; review and validate available evidence on current support standards, service delivery arrangements, and gaps; identify priority needs affecting the equitable participation and learning outcomes of learners with disabilities; and agree on practical recommendations to inform the design of the study, the validation workshop, and the development of proposed standards for communication support and assistive technologies.

To achieve these objectives, the consultancy will carry out three main tasks in a sequence that ensures the multi-stakeholder consultations informs the study framework, the study framework is validated before implementation, and the research findings are finalized through stakeholder validation and the final endorses ‘From Policy to Action Study’ framework is launched and made available.

ASSIGNMENTS

SCOPE OF WORK

Task 1: Plan, facilitate, and report the findings of the Disability Inclusion Veivosaki

1. Review the Disability Inclusion Veivosaki  concept note, agenda, relevant policies, frameworks, and existing information on communication support and assistive technologies to ensure the consultation is technically grounded and aligned with national priorities.
2. Prepare the multi-stakeholder facilitation plan, agenda inputs, technical materials, guiding questions, group work templates, and documentation tools in consultation with UNESCO and national partners.
3. Facilitate the Veivosaki sessions, document stakeholder inputs, synthesize key issues, gaps, priorities, and recommendations, and prepare a Veivosaki report that will guide the design of the study framework.
   •    Ensure the report captures practical findings from the Veivosaki, including stakeholder perspectives on current service delivery arrangements, gaps, priority needs, and opportunities for strengthening communication support and assistive technologies.

i. Map the number of students with disabilities, disaggregated by gender and geographic location.
ii. Identify levels of education placement.
iii. Evaluate current availability and gaps.
iv. Assess needs for communication devices and assistive technology.
v. Use the study findings and Veivosaki inputs to support the drafting of proposed standards for disability support services, including minimum requirements for appropriate and effective communication support and assistive technologies for learners with disabilities.

Task 2: Design the From Policy to Action Study framework and present it for validation
1. Develop a study framework based on the Veivosaki findings, including the study objectives, scope, key research questions, methodology, sampling approach, data collection tools, ethical and accessibility considerations, timeline, and expected outputs.

2. Present the draft study framework to UNESCO, the Ministry of Education, NCPD, OPDs, and other relevant stakeholders for validation and incorporate feedback before the research is implemented.

Task 3: Execute the research, develop the study content, present for final validation, and support the launch
1. Implement the validated study framework by conducting the research, collecting and analysing relevant data, and developing the substantive content of the study on communication support and assistive technologies for inclusive education.
2. Prepare the draft study, present the findings and proposed recommendations for final validation, revise the study based on stakeholder feedback, and support UNESCO and national partners in presenting and launching the final study.

DELIVERABLES

• Veivosaki preparation package, including agenda inputs, facilitation plan, technical materials, guiding questions, group work templates, and documentation tools.
• Veivosaki report documenting stakeholder discussions, key findings, validated issues, priority gaps, and recommendations to inform the study framework.
• Draft ‘From Policy to Action Study’ framework, including methodology, scope, research questions, sampling approach, data collection tools, ethical and accessibility considerations, timeframe, and expected outputs.
• Validated study framework incorporating feedback from UNESCO, the Ministry of Education, NCPD, OPDs, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Draft study report presenting research findings, analysis, proposed recommendations, and proposed support standards for communication support and assistive technologies.
• Final validation presentation and summary of stakeholder feedback.
• Final study report and launch-ready presentation or summary materials.

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the UNESCO Pacific Regional Office, in close coordination with the Ministry of Education, National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), and OPDs.

Payment and Logistics

Deliverables will be thoroughly reviewed by the UNESCO, Ministry of Education and the NCPD before they are approved for payment.

CONTRACT DURATION

• Start Date: August 2026
• End Date: November 2026

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

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

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced degree in Education, Disability Studies, Social Policy, or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in inclusive education, disability rights, or education systems strengthening.
• Proven expertise in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and participatory research.
• Strong knowledge of CRPD, SDGs, and inclusive education frameworks.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Experience working in Pacific contexts is highly desirable.

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