Individual Consultant: Educational Technology and Digital Pedagogies Expert
JOB DETAILS
Type of contract : Consultant Contract
Level : Level 3 - Senior
Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station : Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Work location : Remote
Duration of contract : 11 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline : (Midnight UTC+7 Time): 1 July 2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW
I. Background
Building on the success of the implementation of the Strengthening Teacher Education Programmes in Cambodia (STEPCam), UNESCO and the MoEYS are implementing the second phase of STEPCam (STEPCam Phase II), supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
As a critical cross-cutting component of the programme, STEPCam promotes a uniform approach to digital transformation in Cambodia’s education system and the effective use of digital tools for quality teaching, learning, and education management. The MoEYS, with support from STEPCam, has developed Cambodia’s National ICT and AI Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT-AI CFT). The ICT-AI CFT will inform the review of the PRESET curriculum and development of targeted CPD courses focusing on artificial intelligence and promoting its ethical use, as well as developing ICT in education and EdTech pedagogy skills among teachers and teacher educators.
To foster research and thought leadership to drive the digital transformation of the education system in Cambodia, STEPCam is supporting the establishment of an Educational Technology (EdTech) Innovation Hub at the Phnom Penh Teacher Education College (PTEC) in Cambodia mandated to promote research and innovation in ICT in education, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, develop ICT in education competencies in Cambodia’s teaching force and provide advisory services to education stakeholders, ensuring a uniform approach to the use of digital technology in the education system.
II. Objectives
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, the supervision of the Chief of the Education Unit, and direct supervision of the STEPCam Programme Manager, the Consultant will provide technical support to Component 4 of STEPCam Phase II: Digital Transformation in Education – Preparing for the effective adoption of digital strategies for education delivery.
The Consultant will work in close consultation and collaboration with the STEPCam programme team, technical departments of the MoEYS, TEIs, and other Development Partners supporting the MoEYS to establish the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI and provide strategic advice, technical support
Long Description
and capacity building for the operations and sustainability of the EdTech Innovation Hub to fulfil its mandate as the leading specialised institute for driving thought leadership, research and innovation and teacher development to drive digital transformation in education in Cambodia.
The main objectives of the consultancy are:
1. Provide strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub institute on educational technology and digital transformation at PTEC
2. Lead the capacity building at the EdTech Innovation Hub on institutional management and administration, and research and innovation
3. Provide technical support to seek new partnerships and resource mobilisation for the EdTech Innovation Hub
4. Provide technical advice and quality assurance for the development of new ICT and AI CPD courses in collaboration with the STEPCam programme team and technical experts
5. Provide strategic technical advice to UNESCO’s country-level portfolio on EdTech and digital transformation
III. Specific tasks
Specific tasks include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1. Strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at PTEC
i. Provide technical support to the MoEYS to oversee the process for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub located within PTEC, ensuring its overall institutional capacity to fulfil its mandate, including facilitating consultation workshops/technical meetings to secure high-level buy-in from MoEYS leaders, development partners and other stakeholders
ii. Provide technical advice to the MoEYS for the recruitment and/or selection of management personnel and technical experts for the EdTech Innovation Hub, as well as the selection process of candidates for the flagship Fellowship Programme which will support action research and the design, testing, and scaling up of digital and AI-enabled pedagogical incubation in the classroom
iii. Lead the facilitation of technical meetings with potential partners identified for potential partnerships in research collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity building for the EdTech Innovation Hub
iv. Provide technical support and work collaboratively with the MoEYS technical departments, selected TEI to review, update and implement the EdTech Innovation Hub’s operational and capacity building plans, as well as develop the long-term sustainability strategy and plan of the Hub
v. Provide technical oversight for the procurement and installation processes of digital and/or physical infrastructure and equipment for the operational readiness of the EdTech Innovation Hub targeted by Q4 2026
vi. Provide technical advice to the MoEYS and EdTech Innovation Hub in developing and operationalizing an interoperable digital knowledge platform and repository database for research outputs related to ICT and AI in education
2. Capacity building at the EdTech Innovation Hub
vii. Act as the lead trainer in designing structured training programmes and developing training materials for training workshops/sessions targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows, including but not limited to:
o MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel: A total of 5 two-day training sessions on strategic planning, management and daily operations of the Hub, focusing on implementation of the flagship Fellowship Programme, grant management, quality assurance of research outputs, partnership building and resource mobilisation, and thematic topics related to ICT and AI in education
o EdTech Innovation Hub Fellows: A total of 4 two-day training sessions on conducting applied research and pedagogical incubation related to innovative practices in integrating ICT and AI in education in Cambodia
viii. Provide ongoing capacity building to the EdTech Innovation Hub in fulfilling its mandate as a specialised institute for EdTech and the implementation of the flagship Fellowship Programme, including finalisation on the concept note of Fellowship Programme implementation, selection and management of Fellows, management of the research and innovation grants, daily operations and quality assurance of Fellowship outputs, with a focus on ensuring institutional capacity of the EdTech Innovation Hub for its long-term sustainability, as well as advancing the institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub within the teacher education/EdTech ecosystem in Cambodia
3. Partnerships and resource mobilisation for the EdTech Innovation Hub
ix. Provide technical support to design a comprehensive partnerships and resource mobilisation to provide realistic strategies for medium-term and long-term financing (public, external and private) and/or revenue generation for the operations and sustainability of the EdTech Innovation Hub.
x. Seek new partnerships and resource mobilisation for the EdTech Innovation Hub, including brokering partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements, identifying institutions and/or experts with specialised expertise in EdTech and digital pedagogies, and facilitating partnerships for research collaboration and for providing capacity building on research and thought leadership to the EdTech Innovation Hub
4. Technical advice and quality assurance for the development of new ICT and AI CPD courses
xi. Provide technical advice and quality assurance for the development of new blended, structured ICT and AI CPD courses (including ICT integration, AI in education, digital pedagogy, and/or AI ethic – final approved list of course offerings will be consulted with UNESCO, MoEYS and technical experts) in collaboration with the STEPCam programme team and technical experts, including course outlines and content development, ensuring that the course materials are aligned with the programme’s overall objectives and the CPD course objectives
xii. Provide technical support to review, update and finalise the Strategic Roadmap to guide and promote the development of competency-based ICT teacher training/CPD programmes where teachers’ development is systematically guided, monitored, assessed, and tracked at policy and institutional levels, as guided by the standards articulated in the National ICT and AI Competency Framework for Teachers
5. Strategic technical advice to UNESCO’s country-level portfolio on EdTech and digital transformation
xiii. Provide technical advice to the MoEYS in identifying relevant regional or international conferences/forums on ICT and AI in education to disseminate and share innovative EdTech practices and research findings supported through STEPCam
xiv. Provide technical advice to STEPCam in its efforts to support the MoEYS in advancing EdTech and digital transformation in the education system
IV. Deliverables
1. Deliverable 1: By 7 August 2026
1.1. Final complete training plan and schedule for the comprehensive structured training programme targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows
1.2. Final version of the concept note for the Fellowship Programme planning and implementation
1.3. Final version of the full course description for each of the ICT and AI CPD courses to be developed under STEPCam, including learning objectives and topics/modules
2. Deliverable 2: By 21 September 2026
Long Description
2.1. Agenda, concept note, presentations and all relevant documents developed in preparation of the consultation workshop to finalise the design, mandate, operational and capacity building plans of the EdTech Innovation Hub, as well as to update and finalise the Strategic Roadmap to guide and promote the development of competency-based ICT teacher training/CPD programmes
2.2. Final version of the operational and capacity building plans of the EdTech Innovation Hub
2.3. Final complete version of the implementation guidelines for the Fellowship Programme
2.4. First report on strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4
3. Deliverable 3: By 2 November 2026
3.1. Final Strategic Roadmap to guide and promote the development of competency-based ICT teacher training/CPD programmes
3.2. Complete draft version of the partnership and resource mobilisation plan detailing a mapping of institutions and/or experts with specialised expertise in EdTech and digital pedagogies
3.3. Second report on strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4
4. Deliverable 4: By 14 December 2026
4.1. Final version of the partnership and resource mobilisation plan detailing a mapping of institutions and/or experts with specialised expertise in EdTech and digital pedagogies
4.2. Progress report demonstrating the progress and achievements made on the following:
• Progress/status of brokering new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements for the EdTech Innovation Hub
• Completion (at least 50%) of the structured training programme, including a complete package of materials developed for training workshops/sessions targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows
• Strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4, including the reports of fellowship outputs on innovation projects, research products, and course content development products
• Operationalisation of the Digital Knowledge Platform and Repository Database, including recommendations for enhancement and long-term management
5. Deliverable 5: By 28 February 2027
5.1. Progress report demonstrating the progress and achievements made on the following:
• Completion (100%) of the structured training programme, including a complete package of materials developed for training workshops/sessions targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows
• Fourth progress reporting on strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4, including the reports of fellowship outputs on innovation projects, research products, and course content development products
• Second progress reporting on the progress/status of brokering new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements for the EdTech Innovation Hub, demonstrating clear progress achieved in advancing new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation opportunities
Long Description
5.2. Complete draft version of the Sustainability Strategy and Plan for the EdTech Innovation Hub, which should include, but not limited to, the following: (i) medium-term and long-term strategies to advance its mandate and further expansion, (ii) monitoring and evaluation, (iii) strategies for financing and/or revenue generation, (iv) strategies for capacity building and sustainability, (v) strategic communications, and (iv) projected five-year annual operational costs for the EdTech Innovation Hub
6. Deliverable 6: 30 May 2027
6.1. Final completion report for the consultancy, detailing:
• Achievements and key results for strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 3, including ensuring the operational readiness of the Hub
• Strategic and programmatic recommendations to UNESCO for expanding its country-level support in EdTech and digital transformation in education
• Strategic and technical recommendations for the way forward (medium-term and long-term) for the EdTech Innovation Hub in strengthening its role as the leading institute for research and innovation in EdTech and digital transformation in education
• All technical advice and inputs provided to the STEPCam programme team, technical experts and Fellows for the ICT and AI CPD course outlines and course content development
• Final progress reporting demonstrating concrete progress andachievements in brokering new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements for the EdTech Innovation Hub, demonstrating progress and achievements in advancing new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation opportunities
6.2. Final complete version of the Sustainability Strategy and Plan for the EdTech Innovation Hub, which should include, but not limited to, the following: (i) medium-term and long-term strategies to advance its mandate and further expansion, (ii) monitoring and evaluation, (iii) strategies for financing and/or revenue generation, (iv) strategies for capacity building and sustainability, (v) strategic communications, and (iv) projected five-year annual operational costs for the EdTech Innovation Hub
Final approval of deliverables will be under the authority of the STEPCam Programme Manager, after receiving pre-approval from relevant MoEYS departments when necessary.
Prior to submission, the Contractor ensures that proper copyediting and proofreading have been carried out for all deliverables, and the relevant templates and formats have been closely followed. The Contractor may be requested by UNESCO to revise the deliverables if they are determined by UNESCO to require revisions to meet the required standard of quality. No additional payment will be made for the revision of the deliverables.
V. Contract duration, location and other conditions
The duration of the contract will be for a period of 11 months, tentatively from July 2026 to May 2027, during which the Consultant is expected to provide technical assistance for 140 working days. The Consultant is expected to have at least two mission trips and be based in-country for at least 10 working days on each mission trip during the consultancy (UNESCO will organise necessary fieldwork and missions to the provinces, as necessary). In addition, the Consultant is expected to have in-person work sessions with the relevant technical departments and at EdTech Innovation Hub or PTEC, with the possibility of working from the UNESCO Phnom Penh Office for coordination with the STEPCam programme team as requested by the Programme Manager.
The Consultant will be responsible for their necessary tools, equipment (laptop, printer, etc.) and software to complete the assignment. For in-person work sessions, MoEYS and/or UNESCO will provide a working space and access to the internet, printer and LCD projector.
VI. Required qualifications and experience
EDUCATION
• At least a Master’s degree in the field of educational technology, digital pedagogies, teacher education, teacher development, or other relevant technical fields
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• At least 10 years of demonstrated international experience in educational technology, digital pedagogies, teacher education, teacher development, capacity building, research, and/or institutional capacity building in the education sector
• Demonstrated professional experience working in close collaboration with government technical departments and senior government officials, including at the technical and working levels, with the objective of strengthening institutional capacity in the education sector
• Demonstrated professional experience in providing technical support on advancing digital pedagogies, educational technology, EdTech research and innovation and teacher educaition
• Demonstrated knowledge and professional experience with practical pedagogical applications of technology and artificial intelligence in teaching and learning in a lower-resourced country context would be desirable
• Demonstrated professional experience in teacher education, teacher development and/or education policy and planning with the UN, World Bank and/or international NGOs would be desirable
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
• Excellent drafting skills in preparing quality and well-structured technical and policy documents to convey policy or technical-level information coherently and thoroughly
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal, coordination and communication skills
• Excellent mentoring, training, facilitation and presentation skills
• Ability to take initiative, establish priorities and capacity to work efficiently under pressure
• Ability to work in a multicultural team to achieve shared objectives
• Excellent understanding of educational technology, digital pedagogies and teacher education
LANGUAGE SKILLS
• Excellent in written and spoken English
Long Description
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are kindly requested to click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History Form (Word file). Employment History Form / My Documents’. The candidate must insert the extra pages with the following required information in English:
1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Technical proposal (3 pages maximum), including a description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment
3. Financial proposal, indicating a daily rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.
4. The contact details of three referees
The completed Employment History Form and the required information should be attached as a single combined file.
Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. If you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at phnompenh@unesco.org.
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. 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.
