Consultant for Strengthening Resilience of Education System in Ukraine
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Ukraine
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 07/07/2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background
Ukraine is at a critical juncture in its journey towards digital transformation, recognizing the instrumental role of technology in propelling sustainable development and bolstering its position on the global stage. In the education and science sectors, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) has laid out a strategic vision through the Strategy for Digital Transformation of Education and Science by 2025. This comprehensive framework aims to cultivate a unified digital education ecosystem, addressing the prevailing challenges of fragmented data management and limited access to and use of information for educational administration and management. These barriers have historically hindered effective policy execution and restricted the growth and optimization of the education sector management, necessitating a pivot towards a cohesive, technology-enabled environment. The envisaged digital transformation strategy underscores the creation of an integrated digital platform that facilitates seamless education planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation. This initiative is synergized with the national e-government services, under the aegis of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, to ensure streamlined communication and data sharing among educational stakeholders. The strategy prioritizes the enhancement of the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform, focusing on the integration of technology in the curriculum, improving statistical and analytical systems, and advancing e-governance in education to mitigate bureaucratic bottlenecks. Additionally, the strategy recognizes the accelerated adoption of online learning solutions, spurred by the pandemic and ongoing conflicts, as a cornerstone for resilient educational delivery.
In alignment with MESU's digital roadmap, the integration of AIKOM into the national digital ecosystem, DIIA, marks a significant leap towards enabling cross-sectoral data sharing and automating personal data verification processes. This integration facilitates the provision of convenient online educational services to citizens, exemplifying MESU's commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and accessibility. Efforts are channeled towards enhancing online educational services through the DIIA State government platform and integrating AIKOM with educational systems like EDEBO and the All-Ukrainian Online School, with specific emphasis on Primary, Secondary, and TVET.
Long Description
The UNESCO-led 'E-governance in the Education Sector in Ukraine' project, in collaboration with MESU and the Ministry for Digital Transformation, further exemplifies international support for Ukraine's digital education initiatives. The project aims to swiftly implement targeted interventions, crafting public e-services for learning and management, while establishing robust, interconnected data systems to ensure education sustainability, particularly during periods of crises and conflict.
Long Description
Main Duties, Tasks and Responsibilities
To support this process and within the framework of UNESCO’s project funded through the Global Partnership for Education and implemented jointly with UNICEF, “Strengthening resilience of education system in Ukraine for emergency response and recovery”, the incumbent individual consultant will serve in a critical capacity to support the MESU in its initiative to expand e-governance within the education sector. This role entails focused responsibilities and outputs aligned with the UNESCO project's objectives, under Component 4, e-governance in the education sector.
Under the overall authority of the Senior Project Coordinator - UNESCO Kyiv Antenna and under the direct technical supervision of the Senior Programme Officer within the Education Policy Section – UNESCO HQ, the Consultant is tasked with executing the following functions:
1. National focal point for UNESCO’s interventions on e-governance and data in education: The individual consultant will serve as the primary on-site focal point for UNESCO regarding the Component 4 of the project, orchestrating on-site project coordination and alignment between UNESCO, contractors, and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of project activities linked to e-governance and more broadly data in education. This role involves steering project communications, managing stakeholder expectations, and facilitating the collaborative efforts needed to advance the project’s objectives effectively (LoE: 6 days/month).
2. Project implementation monitoring and oversight: The individual consultant will act as national focal point for UNESCO’s interventions on e-governance and data in education: ensuring that milestones are met, and deliverables are achieved within specified timelines and ensuring quality assurance standards. This role involves regular communication with contractors, identifying potential areas of improvement or necessary adjustments to keep the project on track, and report back to UNESCO on the implementation progress, offering insights into the project's impact and strategic recommendations for further actions (LoE: 6 days/month).
3. Analytical and Technical Support: The consultant will provide analytical and technical support to the project for scoping and drafting of Terms of Reference (ToRs) and Software Specification Documents (SRS) for procurement of AIKOM components and their integration into the national digital ecosystem, as well as for developing analytical summary reports on UNESCO’s interventions on E-governance in education in Ukraine (LoE: 6 days/month)
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The incumbent candidate for this role will possess a unique blend of educational background, specialized knowledge, and practical experience aimed at advancing the digital transformation of Ukraine's education system. With a focus on enhancing e-governance and educational data management, the following qualifications and experiences are required.
Education:
• Master's degree in information technology, computer science, economics, or a related discipline, preferably a PhD.
Areas of specialization:
• Experience in full-cycle software development projects implementation, preferably in education;
• Experience in development of information system architecture solutions and prototype development;
• Ensuring quality control of created functionality, code analysis, and system launch;
• Excellent knowledge related to databases: relational databases and non-relational databases;
• Excellent knowledge related to integrations: API methods, SOAP protocol, RESTfull.
Language:
Fluency in English and Ukrainian.
Long Description
Previous experiences:
• More than 3 years of experience in educational IT projects;
• More than 3 years of experience in implementation of information systems;
• More than 3 years of experience in GovTech.
Travel and Working Modalities
The consultant shall be reporting to the UNESCO Kyiv Antenna Office and UNESCO HQ at least 12 days a month, on working days, from 9:30am to 17:30pm.
The individual consultant may be required to undertake field visits on behalf of UNESCO in pursue of the work assignment.
The consultancy implies regular consultations with MESU officials at central and regional levels.
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 an 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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