Call for individual consultants - Teachers as Lifelong Learners
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: UIL Hamburg
Classification of duty station:
Standard Duration of Assignment:
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 06/02/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background and justification
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serves as a comprehensive guide for United Nations member states to advance in five crucial dimensions: people, prosperity, planet, partnership, and peace, with quality education (SDG 4) highlighted as a key goal to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all." Lifelong learning, central to sustainable education policies, integrates learning and living across all ages and contexts, requiring a trained, active, and committed teaching workforce. Teachers play a crucial role in providing transformative learning experiences that help learners achieve their full potential and develop lifelong learning capabilities, while continuously reflecting on their practices and adapting to evolving societal changes.
Against this background, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) have launched a project titled "Teachers as Lifelong Learners: International Research, Policy, and Practice on Lifelong Learning for Teacher Education (2023-2026)." This initiative aims to generate evidence-based insights into policies and practices that promote the development of teachers as lifelong learners and facilitators of lifelong learning. The Phase 1 research outputs included: a literature review, six national case studies, and two thematic papers. In Phase 2, based on the research findings, three key resources—curriculum guidelines, policy recommendations, and monitoring framework and tools—will be developed. Four countries will be invited to participate in the online workshops on policy reviews and improvement, teacher education curriculum guidelines, and monitoring tools to promote teachers’ lifelong learning and their role as facilitators of students’ lifelong learning. These workshops will be hosted on UIL’s Learning Hub platform.
In this regard, UIL seeks a consultant to provide support to the Team Leader and research consultants in the coordination of the activities in 2026. Contract period: Mid-February - end of December 2026.
Long Description
Scope of work and objectives
Under the supervision of the Team Leader (TL) of the Quality Learning Ecosystems programme, UIL, the consultant will support the implementation of the following activities. Detailed tasks and responsibilities include:
Finalisation of Phase 1 research outputs:
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- Coordinate with authors and the UIL Publications Unit to oversee the copy-editing and graphic design phases of research outputs.
- Develop relevant presentations and visual materials to support the strategic launch and distribution of Phase 1 findings.
Support for the coordination of the development of Phase 2 documents:
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- Facilitate the integration of external consultancy teams, ensuring they are fully briefed on the requirements for the three designated outputs and provide detailed presentations on the key findings of Phase 1 research outputs as the basis for Phase 2 documents.
- Serve as the primary liaison for lead consultants to track deliverable timelines and provide the Team Leader (TL) with actionable status updates.
- Conduct additional literature reviews for the content of Phase 2 documents.
- Assist the TL in evaluating technical documents, providing constructive feedback to align content with UIL’s institutional standards.
- Manage the workflow between consultants and the Publications Unit to streamline final copy-editing and production.
- Lead the logistics for online feedback sessions, including participant outreach and the management of virtual platforms.
- Assist the TL in organizing consultative meetings/workshops for Phase 2 documents and support the external consultancy teams in preparing the workshop agenda and consultation tools.
- Consolidate expert recommendations from workshops to inform and guide document revisions.
- Collaborate with the UIL Learning Hub coordinator to prepare and finalise module content for digital platforms and instructional efficacy.
- Assist TL in identifying and engaging four country representatives for the online workshops.
General Project Coordination and Participation:
- Organize regular coordination meetings with SHNU and UNESCO HQ teams, managing the full cycle of agenda setting and formal reporting.
- Maintain comprehensive administrative and communication records and provide logistical support to ensure smooth project implementation.
- Present project progress during weekly internal programmatic team briefings and draft project-related presentations for relevant events as required.
- Attend weekly team meetings (every Thursday), and All Staff Meetings once every month.
Deliverables
27 February 2026:
- Finalized concept note, agenda with confirmed speakers of the webinar “ECCE teachers’ lifelong learning”
- Phase 1 Research synthesis report’s outline is drafted for feedback
31 March 2026
- “ECCE teachers’ lifelong learning” webinar is organized, and a short summary of the discussions is drafted
- Four case studies are submitted to UIL Publication Unit for copy-editing and design
- Phase 1 Research synthesis report is drafted that summarises key research outputs
- First virtual joint meeting is organized with Phase 2 consultancy teams to clarify expected outputs by specific dates through a systematic feedback loop and consultative process
30 April 2026
- Two additional case studies are submitted to UIL Publication Unit for copy-editing and design
- Two thematic papers are submitted to UIL Publication Unit for copy-editing and design
- Second virtual joint meeting is organized with Phase 2 consultancy teams to provide feedback on the extended outline of the documents
- Phase 1 Research synthesis report that summarises key research outputs is improved based on the feedback from UIL and experts
Long Description
29 May 2026
- Third virtual joint meeting is organized with Phae 2 consultancy teams to provide feedback on the first draft of the documents
- Detailed programme of the consultation on the Phase 2 draft documents is drafted, agreed and finalized
- Phase 1 Research synthesis report is finalized and submitted to UIL Publication Unit for copy-editing and design
30 June 2026
- Phase 1 research outputs, including the research synthesis report are finalized and uploaded on the project website
- Support to the organization and coordination of in-person and virtual consultations on the Phase 2 draft documents is provided
- Fourth virtual meeting is organized with two consultancy teams to provide feedback on the second draft of the documents
31 July 2026
- Phase 1 research outputs, including the research synthesis report are submitted to the UIL Publication Unit for translations into French and Chinese
- Fifth virtual meeting is organized to consolidate the feedback of the consultations and improve the final draft of the documents
- Sixth virtual meeting is organized to finalize these documents
- Planning of the development and delivery of the three online training workshops on the UIL’s Learning Hub, including the hiring of external content developers and instructional designers in English, French and Chinese is initiated
- List of potential participants for these workshops is prepared along with the necessary communication, logistical and content administration tasks
31 August 2026
- Three online workshop materials are prepared online on the Learning Hub in English, French and Chinese ready for registering participants
30 September 2026
- Three online workshops are launched on the Learning Hub with the registered participants from at least four countries and delivered by UIL staff and experts
- Phase 1 research outputs, including the research synthesis report are translated into French and Chinese and uploaded to the project website
30 October 2026
- Three online workshops are finalised on the Learning Hub with the registered participants from at least four countries and delivered by UIL staff and experts
- Reports by trainers (external and internal UIL experts and staff members) are coordinated and finalised
- Seventh virtual meeting is organized to improve and finalise Phase 2 documents
- Prepare the concept note, agenda, including all logistical and communication materials for the side event in November to launch the major project outputs
30 November 2026
- Organize the in-person side event and prepare a written summary of the discussions
- Finalised curriculum guidelines and monitoring framework is submitted to the UIL Publication Unit for copy-editing, translation, and design in English and Chinese
29 December 2026
- Curriculum guidelines and monitoring framework in English and Chinese are uploaded to the project website
- The final project narrative report is prepared against the set project expected outputs
Long Description
Supervision
The consultant will be supervised by the Team Leader, Quality Learning Ecosystems programme, and work closely with relevant programme specialists, a group of consultants, and other UIL units (Publications and Communications), when required.
Location and travel
The consultancy assignment will primarily be home-based in any location and can be done by working remotely. The consultant can also visit the UIL office in Hamburg at her/his own cost if s/he is based outside Hamburg. The Consultant should be available to meet with the UIL team (online) during office hours of Hamburg, Germany.
Nature of penalty clause in contract
If the documents are not submitted or confirmed by UIL staff according to the deliverables and timeframe stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.
UNESCO reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.
Additional regulations
The UIL Style and Referencing Guide shall be applied precisely with careful attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, referencing and country names. The final drafts and reports should be submitted to a publishable standard.
The English language of the work shall be mother-tongue level; the style shall target an audience of national and international experts working in the field of teacher education. Acronyms can be used, but these should be spelled out when used for the first time and be accompanied by a table of acronyms. Footnotes should generally be avoided.
Particular attention should be given to the following.
- Consistency of style, terminology, editing and presentation;
- Document structure and hierarchy (headings, sub-headings, numbers);
- Consistency of bibliography with references in the text; and
- List of acronyms
All materials developed will remain copyright of UNESCO and UNESCO will be free to adapt and modify, reproduce or otherwise use them in whatsoever form or language in the future.
Required qualifications:
- Education: Master’s degree in education, preferably in teacher education, adult education, lifelong learning, education policy, or related fields in social sciences.
- Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in education, preferably one year in an international context.
- Digital skills: Excellent skills in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation programmes; data analysis software programmes, basic coding.
- Language Requirements: Proficiency in English, and the knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
Competencies
- Up-to-date knowledge of the related fields, e.g., teacher education, adult education, lifelong learning, and relevant global education policies.
- Good knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
- Strong research and analytical thinking, reading, and writing skills in English.
- Excellent ICT skills, including good knowledge of standard office software.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn continuously on emerging issues and topics related to teachers, ALE and lifelong learning.
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to take initiatives and demonstrate creative and agile attitude towards challenges and problems.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and demonstrate teamwork skills.
- Demonstration of a high degree of professional integrity and ethics.
UIL will provide feedback to each deliverable submitted and hold regular meetings to ensure the progress and quality of the consultant’s work.
The contractor should ensure that all visibility materials are produced in line with UNESCO’s branding guidelines. Please refer to the UNESCO Style Manual for citation style, terminology and spelling, abbreviations, references, etc.
In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the contractor is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.
The documents produced will be the property of UIL.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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APPLICATION PROCESS
Procedure
Interested candidates will need to submit one consolidated PDF document (please upload this pdf instead of the employment history form) which includes the following information:
- A short description, one page only, explaining the approach proposed for completing this project.
- A financial proposal, one page only, for delivering the activities described in the call;
- A short CV, focusing on previous relevant working experience, consultancy assignments and deliverables and relevant expertise to this project.
The full proposal should not exceed 5 pages. Proposals missing any of the above will not be considered.
The complete application shall be submitted on or before 23:59 CET, 6 February 2026. Please note that only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.
For any questions, please contact: uil-learningecosystems@unesco.org
Selection process
A shortlist of the three most suitable applicants will be drawn up, and the selected candidates will be contacted by the Heads of either the Learning Ecosystems Team. The successful candidate will be selected and offered a contract based on the application review.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an online 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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