EDUCATION COORDINATION CONSULTANT (Pakistani National)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Islamabad

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 03-July-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

According to the UNESCO's global mandate for education, education is a fundamental human right and a key driver of sustainable development. The mandate is focused on four main objectives: ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls; ensuring the provision of quality education in emergencies and post-conflict situations; and enhancing global citizenship education to foster respect for diversity and a culture of peace. These objectives are well reflected in UNESCO's various program initiatives in Pakistan, which aim to improve national education system, promote innovation, and best practices in education, and advocate for education as a fundamental human right. UNESCO has been supporting the Government of Pakistan to strengthen the education system's ability to deliver inclusive and equitable quality education, with a particular focus on marginalized and vulnerable groups, particularly girls and women, ethnic and linguistic minorities, children with disabilities, rural communities, internally displaced persons, and refugees.

In Balochistan, UNESCO has been actively engaged in several initiatives aimed at enhancing the education sector and ensuring that all children, irrespective of their background or circumstances, have access to quality education. Key areas of intervention include promoting girls' education, improving access to quality education, building the capacity of teachers, especially in emergency contexts, and advancing Education for Sustainable Development. Additionally, UNESCO has been working to strengthen the capacity of the School Education Department to transform the education system in the province. This effort includes enhancing the quality of education through its role as the Grant Agent for Global Partnership for Education (GPE)’s System Capacity Grant (SCG).

Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Islamabad Office and the direct supervision of Head of Education, the Education Coordination Consultant is responsible for the overall coordination, implementation, and management of the assigned programmes in the province. The role involves working closely with the provincial government counterparts, development partners, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure the effective delivery of programme activities and the achievement of the overall programme results.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Specifically, the Consultant (Pakistani National) will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Ensure the effective implementation of UNESCO’s education sector programme activities in the province through comprehensive planning, efficient coordination, and the provision of expert technical support, in coordination with the Education Team in Islamabad.
2. Facilitate coordination with provincial government counterparts, UN agencies, development partners, local implementing partners, and other key stakeholders to ensure the seamless implementation of UNESCO programme activities, aligning with the strategic objectives of the education sector.
3. Maintain visibility of UNESCO in Balochistan and actively participate in and represent UNESCO in person at Local Education Group (LEG) meetings, UN Provincial Programme Team (PPT) meetings, School Education Department meetings, and other relevant provincial forums where UNESCO’s presence is required.
4. Maintain a close liaison with the UNESCO Islamabad Office (Education Unit) and provide regular updates and feedback on current developments, programmes, and priorities of the provincial government. Ensure that any issues requiring UNESCO's attention are promptly communicated and addressed.
5. Facilitate the overall coordination of programme activities in the province, working closely with the Education Team in Islamabad. This includes coordinating the consolidation of relevant project documents such as work plans, budgets, and periodic reports to ensure that implementation aligns with the agreed milestones.
6. Facilitate field missions, meetings with provincial stakeholders, and other related activities for the Islamabad team and donors visiting the province to monitor the implementation.
7. Liaise with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officer in Islamabad Office, and provide timely inputs to MEAL report as requested by MEAL officer.
8. Coordinate with the Policy and Planning Implementation Unit (PPIU) to develop communication and visibility materials, including human-interest stories and visual content, in line with UNESCO guidelines for the Girls’ Back to School Project. These human-interest stories should be accompanied by visuals (static images and short video clips) suitable for posting on UNESCO’s website, social media platforms, and for inclusion in donor reports.
9. Perform any other tasks as may be assigned by the Officer-in-Charge of the Office and/or Head of Education.

DELIVERABLES

1. Inception report, including but not limited to the purpose and scope adherence to the terms of reference, overall approaches, and workplan with a clear timeframe and milestones, for the assignment (Expected deliverable date: within seven calendar days after signing of the contract).
2. Detailed monthly work plan which outlines coordination and engagement activities with the provincial stakeholders. Before the work plan can be implemented, it must be reviewed and approved by the UNESCO Islamabad Office (Expected deliverable date: three calendar days before the beginning of each month).
3. A comprehensive monthly report with detailed activities and outcomes based on the approved work plan. The report will assess the effectiveness of coordination and engagement with provincial stakeholders, provide insights for future planning, and will include, but not be limited to, the following update: (Expected deliverable date: within five calendar days after the end of the month):
4. 1. At least one coordination meeting on UNESCO programme interventions with key stakeholders, ensuring attendance from at least 80% of invited participants.
   2. In -person participation in a minimum of 4-6 relevant provincial meetings, and forums with documented contributions and follow-up actions reported.
   3. Weekly updates with 100% timely communication of emerging issues to UNESCO Islamabad Office.
   4. Facilitation to field missions with comprehensive mission reports.
   5. Information provided to MEAL report ensuring 100% data collection and submission to Islamabad Office.
   6. At least three human interest stories with high quality visuals developed in line with UNESCO’s guidelines.

     4. Documentations for reimbursement of mission/ travel costs in accordance with UNESCO’s usual travel provisions (Expected deliverable date: with seven calendar days after the completion of the mission).

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

It is a full-time assignment, and the consultant will be based in Quetta. He/ she will work closely with the UNESCO programme teams in Islamabad under the overall supervision of the Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Islamabad Office and direct supervision of the Head of Education. The consultant will be paid upon submission to and approval by UNESCO of the deliverables and for calculated mission/travel costs and any other associated costs in accordance with UNESCO’s usual travel provisions.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Education, Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Work Experience

1. Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in project management and coordination in education sector.
2. Experience of working with government agencies, international organizations, UN agencies, or other stakeholders in the education.
3. Demonstrated experience in the entire project cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
4. Experience in results-based management and gender mainstreaming approaches in development initiatives.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organization and coordination skills with government departments, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with proven ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work effectively, set priorities, and work within tight deadlines.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
• Ability to draft high-quality, clear, concise documents, and reports.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent IT skills, including office productivity tools and online collaboration tools.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and good knowledge of Urdu.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Previous work experience within the United Nations System.
• Experience in education policies, practices, and challenges in the specific context of Baluchistan.
• Experience working in emergency or conflict-sensitive environments, with an understanding of the challenges and approaches required in such context.

Languages

Good knowledge of other local languages spoken in the target areas.

ASSESSMENTS

A pre-recorded interview, written assessment, and interview may be used in the evaluation of candidates.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Technical Proposal

Interested individuals are required to submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

a.           Narrative technical proposal;

b.           Explanation of suitability for the work; 

c.           Brief methodology outlining the approach to undertake the assignment; 

d.           Proposed work plan to undertake the assignment;

e.           Description of experience in similar projects;

f.            A few samples of work completed;

g.           A list of at least 3 professional references. 

Financial Proposal 

The financial proposal must specify a detailed breakdown of the daily fees for the assignment.

Each payment shall be made only after receipt and approval as satisfactory by UNESCO of any deliverable that the consultant is required to submit for payment under the terms of reference.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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