Call for individual consultants - UIL

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) : 16-JAN-2026

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and Context

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is located in Hamburg, Germany, and is one of UNESCO’s eight education Institutes. UIL supports Member States in the field of lifelong learning with a focus on learning ecosystems, skills for life and work, and inclusive learning. It pays special attention to UNESCO’s Global Priorities Africa and Gender Equality. Within UNESCO’s broad educational mandate, the mission of the Institute is to promote the recognition of and create the conditions for the exercise of the right to education and learning. The Institute undertakes research, capacity-building, networking and publication on lifelong learning. UIL responds to the concerns of all UNESCO Member States, giving priority to least developed countries.

Despite global efforts, 739 million youth and adults lack basic literacy skills—two-thirds of whom are women. While Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa house the largest shares of this population, significant challenges persist across all regions, requiring urgent policy and financial investment to reach the most disadvantaged. To address these gaps, UNESCO launched the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) in 2016 coalition of 31 countries and diverse stakeholders dedicated to advocating for and accelerating literacy improvements in the nations with the greatest need, and UIL is the Secretariat of this Alliance.

Published every three to four years, the Global Reports on Adult Learning and Education (GRALEs) take stock of adult learning and education (ALE) progress on national, regional and global level, identifies challenges and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners and researchers and other relevant ALE stakeholders. The sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 6) will monitor the progress in implementing the Marrakech Framework for Action (MFA, 2022)—the outcome document of CONFINTEA VII—as well as the Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education (RALE, 2015). On behalf of UNESCO, UIL is mandated to serve as the Secretariat to prepare and publish GRALE 6 in 2027.

In a context of rapid urban growth and increasing challenges related to social inclusion, sustainability, and economic development, UIL established the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) to support local governments in harnessing lifelong learning as a strategic tool for inclusive and sustainable urban development. The GNLC, coordinated by UIL, is an international, policy-oriented network that provides inspiration, know-how, and examples of best practice. Its mission is to support and accelerate the practice of lifelong learning in cities worldwide by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning among member cities, forging links and fostering partnerships, building capacities for lifelong learning, and developing tools to encourage and recognize progress in building learning cities. The GNLC opened for membership in 2015. Since then, the network has grown to more than 400 member cities across all five UNESCO regions.

Long Description

Purpose of the consultancy

In the framework of the GAL Secretariat, GRALE 6 Cluster, and GNLC Coordination workplans, UIL is seeking a consultant to 1) contribute to the GRALE 6 survey data collection among Member States; 2) contribute to the development and implementation of the core activities, regular communication  and follow up with the GAL and GNLC members; 3) contribute to the organisation and implementation of capacity building workshops, and webinar series; 4) support Team Leaders when required.

Main duties and responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL, and under the direct supervision of the Team leader of Quality Learning Ecosystems programme (until the end of March 2026) and Team Leader of the Skills Throughout Life Programme and GNLC Coordinator (from April 2026 onwards), the individual consultant will undertake the following main responsibilities:

A. Support the GRALE 6 Cluster activities (January – March 2026)

A.1. Liaise with the national GRALE 6 focal points for the Asia and the Pacific region and francophone countries in other regions to accelerate the survey data collection process

A.2. Participate in and prepare detailed minutes of weekly meetings of GRALE 6 Cluster

B. Contribute to the GAL workplan implementation (January - November 2026)

B.1. Promote and disseminate a new online digital competencies course in French for literacy educators on the UIL Learning Hub platform for GAL member countries, associate members, and other partners beyond the Alliance

B.2. Prepare monthly reports on the course participation and completion; identify and implement strategies for wider promotion and dissemination of the course

B.3. Prepare relevant communication and follow-up documents in French for three GAL technical webinars and one annual membership meeting

C. Contribute to the development of the GNLC Academy (April – December 2026)

C.1. Support the design of the GNLC Academy as a capacity-building platform, including regional hubs and networks.

C.2. Support the implementation of three learning courses within the GNLC Academy throughout the year

C.2.1. Workshop in Dubai - June

C.2.2. Workshop in Morocco - September

C.2.3. Workshop in Shanghai - October

C.3. Coordinate communication with all members of the GNLC

D. Support the organisation the GNLC 2026 Webinar Series (April - December 2026)

Support on the Organisation of six webinars throughout 2026, overseeing all aspects from planning and speaker coordination to technical execution, interpretation, and follow-up communication.

D.1. Organise the second webinar in April 2026

D.2. Organise the third webinar in June 2026

D.3. Organise the fourth webinar in August 2026

D.4. Organise the special webinar in September 2026

D.5. Organise the fifth webinar in October 2026

D.6. Organise the sixth webinar in December 2026

E. Coordinate Progress Reports on learning city development (April – December 2026)

E.1. Support on the design, set up and launch of the online survey to collect progress reports, including communication with all cities involved.

E.2. Collect progress reports from all learning cities involved in the process and systematically organize the data for analysis.

E.3. Support the development of an analysis document based on the progress reports.

F. Contribute to the preparations of the Seventh International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC7)

F.1. Prepare application documents and launch the call for applications for host city.

F.2. Organize the selection process, including communication with all key stakeholders

F.3. Organise the Learning City Award preparations for launching the call for applications

G. Contribute to the administrative work of the programme (April – December 2026)

G.1. Contribute to the preparation, review and ongoing monitoring of project-related documents, including quarterly/annual project reviews.

G.2. Assist the programme in preparing and revising budgets in liaison with ADM to ensure approval in timely manner.

G.3. Support drafting standard correspondence and presentations for projects/programmes.

Long Description

List of deliverables

Deliverables to be submitted by 30 January 2026

• • A.1. A short report summarizing the contribution and support to the follow up on the GRALE 6 survey data collection process
  • A.2. Two detailed minutes of weekly meetings of GRALE 6 Cluster
  • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for the dissemination of the French course and mobilisation of the GAL partners and members for increasing the course registration and completion

Deliverables to be submitted by 28 February 2026  

• • A.1 A short report summarizing the contribution and support to the follow up on the GRALE 6 survey data collection process
  • A.2. Four detailed minutes of weekly meetings of GRALE 6 Cluster
  • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for the dissemination of the French course and mobilisation of the GAL partners and members for increasing the course registration and completion

Deliverables to be submitted by 31 March 2026

• • A.1. Short report summarizing the contribution and support to the follow up on the GRALE 6 survey data collection process
  • A.2. Four detailed minutes of weekly meetings of GRALE 6 Cluster
  • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • B.3. Prepare the French translations of the concept note, agenda, and summary of the GAL webinar 1

Deliverables to be submitted by 30 April 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • C.1. Support the design of the GNLC Academy as a capacity-building platform, including regional hubs and networks.
  • D.1. Organise the second GNLC webinar in April 2026
  • F.1. Prepare application documents and launch the call for applications for the host city.

Deliverables to be submitted by 31 May 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • C.3. Coordinate communication with all members of the GNLC

Deliverables to be submitted by 30 June 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • C.2.1. Workshop in Dubai - June
  • D.2. Organise the third GNLC webinar in June 2026
  • F.2. Organize the selection process, including communication with all key stakeholders

Long Description

Deliverables to be submitted by 31 July 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • B.3. Prepare the French translations of the concept note, agenda, and summary of the GAL webinar 2
  • E.1. Support on the design, set up and launch of the online survey to collect progress reports, including communication with all cities involved.
  • F.3. Organise the Learning City Award preparations for launching the call for applications

Deliverables to be submitted by 31 August 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • B.3. Prepare the French translations of the concept note and agenda of the GAL annual meeting (September)
  • D.3. Organise the fourth GNLC webinar in August 2026

Deliverables to be submitted by 30 September 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • B.3. Support for the GAL Annual meeting and the French translation of the meeting report
  • C.2.2. Workshop in Morocco - September
  • D.4. Organise the special GNLC webinar in September 2026

Deliverables to be submitted by 31 October 2026

• • B.2. A short progress report on the strategies for disseminating the French course and mobilizing GAL partners and members to increase the course enrolment and completion rates
  • C.2.3. Workshop in Shanghai
  • D.5. Organise the fifth GNLC webinar in October 2026
  • E.2. Collect progress reports from all learning cities involved in the process and systematically organize the data for analysis.

Deliverables to be submitted by 30 November 2026

• • B.3. Prepare the French translations of the concept note, agenda, and summary of the GAL webinar 3
  • E.3. Support the development of an analysis document based on the progress reports.
  • G.1. Contribute to the preparation, review and ongoing monitoring of project-related documents, including quarterly/annual project reviews.
  • G.2. Assist the programme in preparing and revising budgets in liaison with ADM to ensure approval promptly.

Deliverables to be submitted by 20 December 2026

• D.6. Organise the sixth GNLC webinar in December 2026
• G.3. Support drafting standard correspondence and presentations for projects/programmes.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in political sciences, international relations, education, social sciences, development studies or any other related fields.

Work experience

• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in project coordination or management, ideally within the field of education, lifelong learning, or international cooperation.
• Previous experience in planning and implementing multi-stakeholder activities, including event organisation, data coordination, and communications.
• Experience supporting or managing international projects, particularly in collaboration with local governments, city networks, or public institutions.
• Proven experience in collaborating on international projects in the field of education.
• Prior experience in the UNESCO system would be an advantage.

Skills

• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to collect, structure, and summarize data to inform decision-making.
• Excellent computer skills for MS Office package processing, presentation, online collaboration and data visualization, as well as knowledge of Power BI.
• Excellent independent working skills.

Language

• Fluency in English and French (both written and spoken).
• Proficiency in any other UN language will be considered an asset.

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, 16 January 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 or Skills Throughout Life Team. The successful candidate will be selected and offered a contract based on the application review.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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