NATIONAL CONSULTANT FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT ON PEACE EDUCATION IN CAMBODIA

OVERVIEW

Sector : Communication and Information Unit

Duty Station: UNESCO Phnom Penh Office

Type of contract : Non-staff

Duration of contract : 4 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 26 March 2025 (18:00 Cambodia time)

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

I.    BACKGROUND
UNESCO, in consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, are implementing the Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitization, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE) Project, also known as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Archives Preservation and Digitization Project Phase II. Initially centered on the preservation and digitization of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in the Phase I project, the PEACE Project now also emphasizes peace education and site conservation. The targeted areas include M-13, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM), Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. Recognized as documentary heritage of international significance, in 2009, the TSGM Archives, which host the most comprehensive Khmer Rouge documentary collection, were inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, an international initiative to safeguard and preserve the documentary heritage of humanity against collective amnesia, neglect, the ravages of time and climatic conditions. During Phase I project, over 700,000 pages of the TSGM archives were preserved and nearly half a million were digitized to promote universal access to documentary heritage.
Globally, peace education is becoming important for promoting tolerance, resolving conflicts, and supporting sustainable development, and preserving human rights, with UNESCO highlighting its importance in SDG 4.7. The new UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development, is a landmark guidance document that defines what needs to evolve in and through education to accomplish these goals. It outlines 14 guiding principles, concrete learning outcomes and priority action areas for holistically reshaping all aspects of education systems, from laws and policies to curricula development, teaching practices, learning environments and assessment. 
In Cambodia, various peace education efforts have been undertaken in the recent decades in both formal and non-formal education settings, including different outreach, awareness-raising and engagement initiatives, often integrating the TSGM archives. However, it is often challenged by the siloed approach undertaken by different stakeholders, resulting in a fragmented understanding of Khmer Rouge history among the youth. 
Therefore, based on the framework of the UNESCO Recommendation, a comprehensive survey, through a conflict-sensitive approach, is critical to map existing peace education efforts in Cambodia in both formal and informal education settings, including mapping the relevant stakeholders and development partners involved, target audience/groups, funding support, geographic and thematic coverage, and assess the effectiveness of these efforts. This comprehensive mapping will help identify the gaps where more tailored efforts are required and inform the development of recommendations for producing and disseminating tailored content and outreach programmes to systematically engage Cambodian youth on these global principles to promote peace education and reconciliation efforts.
 

Long Description

II.    THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT ARE:

•    To map existing peace education efforts in Cambodia, including identifying the relevant stakeholders and development partners involved, funding support, geographic and thematic coverage.
•    To identify gaps and areas for improvement in peace education within both formal and informal contexts.
•    To evaluate the effectiveness of efforts, including the integration of TSGM archives and other historical archives into peace education teaching and learning materials, in fostering their knowledge and understanding of Khmer Rouge history and a culture of peace among youth. 
•    To provide recommendations for enhancing peace education practices, particularly in the context of historical sites and digital archives, specifying target audiences and types of educational materials and outreach methods.
•    The recommendation of the report assessment should be viewed from the perspectives of Global Citizenship Education and aligned with the Revised UNESCO Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Cooperation and Peace, and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adapted to Cambodian context. 

III.    ASSIGNMENT: 
Within the framework of the Peace Education, Archives Preservation and Digitization, and Site Conservation for Youth Empowerment (PEACE) and under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, and the direct supervision of the Associate Project Officer, and in close cooperation with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the contractor shall undertake the following activities:
A.    Conduct a comprehensive assessment on peace education efforts in Cambodia in both formal and informal education settings, following a conflict-sensitive approach:

1.    Carry out desk review and literature review to map and document the on-going and previous (in the past three years) peace education efforts in Cambodia, including at M-13, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM), and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, the relevant stakeholders and development partners involved, target audience/groups, funding support, geographic and thematic coverage.

2.    Design and administer surveys/questionnaires to collect primary data and assess the level of awareness and understanding of Khmer Rouge history among Cambodian youth, and their understanding and attitudes towards the global principles of Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development. 

3.    Assess and evaluate the effectiveness and gaps in the integration of peace education, including digitized TSGM archives, into school curriculums, teacher training programs and community outreach programs, including the availability of educational resources in Khmer language, in fostering their knowledge and understanding of Khmer Rouge history and a culture of peace among youth.

B.    Based on the findings of the peace education assessment, propose recommendations with concrete activities to enhance peace education efforts, including 

1) In both formal and informal education settings, 
2) Resource allocation. 
3) Through integrating principles in the UNESCO Recommendation into peace education programmes;

4) Innovative educational approaches and community-based education programs.

Long Description

C.    Organize and undertake stakeholder consultation workshops, including a validation workshop, to seek inputs and feedback on the research methodology, scope of assessment, draft findings, and present findings and recommendations to UNESCO and relevant authorities.

IV.    DELIVERABLES
The following deliverables are expected in line with the specific tasks outlined above:
1.    Inception report outlining the assessment plan and methodology with clear approach and indicators for data collection and analysis 
2.    Interim report: this report will present preliminary findings and insights gathered from the initial assessment phase.
3.    Final report within 25 pages maximum with the below indicative table of content:
a.    Introduction: Historical background and relevance of promoting peace education in Cambodia
b.    Desk Review and Literature Review
c.    Methodology

-    Literature Review: Analyze existing research and reports on peace education in Cambodia and globally.
-    Data collection: Conduct surveys and interviews with educators, students, and stakeholders to gather qualitative and quantitative data.
-    Case Studies: Examine specific examples of peace education initiatives in Cambodia, both successful and unsuccessful.
-    Data Analysis: Use statistical tools to analyze survey data and identify trends and patterns.
d.    Findings
-    Current State of Peace Education: Overview of existing peace education programs in formal (schools, universities) and informal (community centers, NGOs, memorial sites) settings; relevant stakeholders and development partners involved, target audience/groups, funding support, geographic and thematic coverage
-    Effectiveness of these on-going peace education efforts in fostering their knowledge and understanding of Khmer Rouge history and a culture of peace among youth
-    Gaps and Challenges
-    Best Practices: Highlight successful peace education initiatives and methodologies that can be replicated or adapted.

e.    Recommendations
f.    Conclusion: Summary: Recap of key findings and recommendations.

4.    Timeline of deliverables:
-    Inception phase: 19 April 2025
-    Interim Report: 30 May 2025
-    Final Report: 30 June 2025
 

V. Contract Duration, Location, and Other Conditions
The duration of the contract will be for a period of four (4) months, from April 2025 to the end of July 2025. The consultancy will be deliverable-based, and the Consultant is expected to complete all assigned tasks within this timeframe.
The nature of the research will involve both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including but not limited to:
•    Document review of relevant policies, educational frameworks, and existing literature
•    Stakeholder consultations and key informant interviews with relevant ministries, educators, and partners
•    Field data collection through surveys, focus group discussions, and case studies
•    Analysis and synthesis of findings to develop evidence-based recommendations
•    Production of reports and dissemination materials to ensure knowledge-sharing and policy engagement
The Consultant will be responsible for their necessary tools, equipment (laptop, printer, etc.) and software to complete the assignment. 

VII.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
•    At least a master’s degree in the relevant fields such as Education, Peace and Conflict Studies, Genocide and Holocaust Studies, Human Rights, International Relations, Research Methods in Social Sciences, and public policy or other relevant fields. 
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 
•    Experience in Peace Education and Related Fields: Over 7 years of experience in peace education, genocide studies, curriculum development, historical education, and global citizenship education, or related fields.
•    Educational Assessments and Program Development: More than 3 years of experience in conducting educational assessments, evaluations, and implementing educational programs.
•    In-depth Knowledge of Cambodian History: Over 7 years of experience in researching, documenting, and educating on Cambodian history, with a focus on the Khmer Rouge period
•    Analytical and Report-Writing Skills: Strong analytical abilities to interpret data, identify trends, and provide well-structured reports with clear findings and recommendations.
 

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 
•    Excellent conceptual and analytical skills 
•    Excellent interpersonal, coordination and communication skills 
•    Excellent training 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 
•    Good understanding of education and pedagogy 

LANGUAGE SKILLS 
•    Excellent in written and spoken both Khmer and English

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’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, the candidate must insert the extra pages with the following required information in English:
1.    Curriculum Vitae or Resume 
2.    Technical Proposal, which should include:
•    Understanding of the assignment and proposed approach
•    Methodology and work plan, including timeline
•    Relevant experience and qualifications
•    Previous work samples or references (if available)
•    Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the individual, and other supporting documents 
3.    Financial Proposal
•    A breakdown of professional fees
•    Estimated costs for assessment activities, including travel, materials
•    Any other relevant expense
•    The contact details of three referees
Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at phnompenh@unesco.org
 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS