Call for Consultancy: SDG 4 Coordination and Monitoring & Post-COVID19 Educational Reconstruction and Reform

Application date
26 October 2021 - 31 October 2021

Duty Station: Bangkok
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) : 31 October 2021

APPLY NOW

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

1. Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to provide support to the Inclusive Quality Education Section of UNESCO Bangkok in  coordination and monitoring role of SDG 4 and in supporting Member States in educational recovery, transformation and systems strengthening post-COVID 19. More specifically, the consultancy will a.) provide major inputs  and  support to the content preparation, organization and holding of the Asia-Pacific Regional Ministers of Education Conference (Q 2 2022) and undertake follow-up activities throughout 2022 b.) make contributions to the work of the Learning and Education 2030 + Networking Group  and its subgroups; c.) contribute to UNESCO’s work to support Member States in educational reconstruction, transformation and system strengthening post COVID 19 in particular through knowledge generation, advocacy, policy advice and capacity development in the areas of formative assessment and curriculum adaptation/reform, in close collaboration with the partners in the region and the Quality Education Team of the Section.

2. Background

Within UNESCO Bangkok, the Section for Inclusive Quality Education (IQE Section) has the mission to enhance UNESCO Member States’ capacity to provide equitable, inclusive and quality basic education for all in the Asia-Pacific region. In this perspective, it is also responsible for the coordination of SDG4, Educational Policy, Planning and Management, Quality Education, Inclusive Education, ECCE and Health and Well-being.

The assignment is part of the programmatic priority and responsibility of UNESCO to coordinate and monitor SDG 4 progress as well as undertake capacity building and support Member States towards reaching SDG4, with a particular view to COVID-19 recovery and reconstruction in education.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

For the coordination of SDG4-Education 2030 in the Asia Pacific region, the IQE Section, together with UNICEF, is co-chairing the Asia-Pacific Learning and Education 2030+ (LE2030+) Networking group, which is one of the key SDG4 coordination mechanisms of the region. This Group is placed under the Regional Collaborative Platform (RCP) in line with the United Nations Development System reform. Its main role is to foster collaboration, coordination and monitoring in order to support countries in the effective implementation of SDG4-Education 2030. Priority areas of regional cooperation are advocacy, information and knowledge exchange, capacity building, and monitoring.

LE2030+ has several sub-groups, i.e. Multilingual Education Working Group, Disability-Inclusive Education Working Group, Digital Transformation in Learning and Education Working Group, School Health, Nutrition and Well-Being Working Group. Another group on adolescent education, learning and skills development is currently being set up. Major work of these sub-groups will be on-going in order develop and exchange knowledge and best practices and lessons learnt, undertake advocacy and partnership building at regional and sub-regional level, and undertake capacity building to support MS in these specific areas. Currently, their work has a very strong relationship with school reopening and post-COVID19 recovery, reconstruction and building back better.

As part of its convening functions, UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education (UNESCO Bangkok), in partnership with UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA), UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), and the Thai Ministry of Education, will organize the 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Education Ministers’ Conference (APREMC-II) in 2022. The focus of the conference is on “Advancing progress towards SDG 4 and building back better – recovery and education reform to reimagine and strengthen education systems”. The Conference will review and take stock of the first 7 years of progress towards SDG 4 - Education 2030 in Asia and the Pacific; identify challenges in progressing towards SDG 4 in the region, including the impact of COVID-19 as well as the COVID-19 response and priority areas of action;  and discuss and agree on priorities and strategies to accelerate progress towards SDG 4 during the next years, with a focus on sustainable post-COVID-19 education recovery and educational reform.

Long Description

APREMC-II will require preparatory work throughout the coming months which includes the development of background documents and policy briefs, situation analysis of the impact of COVID 19 in two sub-regions, sub-regional consultations with key stakeholders; drafting of conference documents and preparation of the panels, etc.

Beyond the Conference, UNESCO will provide support to Member States in educational reconstruction post COVID-19 and the rethinking of educational systems to build back better with a focus on enhancing equity and inclusion and increasing quality, relevance and resilience of education systems. In this perspective, one key are of work will be enhancing policies and building capacity for strengthening formative assessment and curriculum reform.

3. Work assignment

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok, and the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Chief of Section for Inclusive Quality Education (IQE), the individual consultant will perform the following tasks:

Support regional SDG 4 coordination and collaboration, advocacy, knowledge building and exchange, capacity development and monitoring as well as work on COVID-19 recovery and reconstruction in education, through:

1. Support the preparation, organization and holding of the second Asia Pacific Regional Education Ministers Conference (APREMC-II and follow-up action by:

a. Provide substantive inputs to the development of documents and facilitate all content-related development matters for the Conference including:

• Provide content guidance and support to the development of selected background papers and policy briefs;
• Contribute to and facilitate the drafting of conference-related documents, such as the Concept Note, the annotated agenda, briefs for each sessions, etc.
• Make contributions and provide support to the drafting of the Conference Outcome Document and Ministerial Statement
• Draft the Conference Report (after the Conference)

b. Organize selected preparatory consultations as well as sessions during the Conference

• Support the organization of selected sub-regional consultations in preparation of APREMC-II;
• Organize the holding of selected thematic panels during the Conference including the selection and preparation of panellists and the moderators;
• Provide support to the organisation and coordination of side-events during the Conference
• Undertake any other task related to the preparation and holding of the Conference as required.

c. Follow-up on the recommendations of the Conference by:

• Facilitating the development of a regional strategy and contextualized sub-regional strategies for advancing SDG 4 within the framework of building back better and educational reconstruction transformation through supporting the development of the draft strategy and organizing regional consultations towards its approval.

2. Make major contributions to the work of the Learning and Education 2030 + Networking Group as follows:

• Take on the role of focal point for the Secretariat of the sub-group working on adolescents and youth education, learning and skills with a focus on transferable/21st century, communicate with the other co-chair and members, organize meetings of the group, write reports of proceedings etc.
• Conceive and guide selected research and knowledge generation on dedicated areas identified by the sub-group,
• Organize regional knowledge exchange and advocacy activities on priority areas as identified by the sub-group,
• Develop policy briefs and advocacy materials as required
• Undertake any other task related to supporting the work of the LE2030+ Networking group and its sub-groups.

3. Contribute to UNESCO’s work to support Member States in educational reconstruction, transformation and system strengthening post COVID 19, in particular in the areas of formative assessment and curriculum adaptation/reform, including:

• Provide support, guidance and capacity building to countries, schools and teachers for the assessment of learning levels of students and support their catching up/remediation as they return to in-person learning;
• Support the strengthening of formative assessment and curriculum redesign to improve learning within the framework of educational transformation;
• Support the strengthening of institutional capacity at the country level for measuring and using data on student learning outcomes;
• Support any other work on curriculum adaptation and reform as required.

This can be done through, inter alia:

• Mapping and analyzing efforts undertaken by countries as well as by partner organizations and identifying good practices, methodologies and tools;
• Undertaking policy reviews;
• Conceiving and guiding knowledge creation and exchange,
• Contributing to developing guidance and undertaking capacity building activities
• Provide technical advice and support to MS as required
• Undertake advocacy activities,
• Undertake any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the individual consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Expected Deliverables/Outputs:

4. DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME: 

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME (CONTINUED):  

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

-

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• University degree at master’s level or equivalent in relevant areas, such as education, social sciences, political sciences, economics, or any related fields

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of professional experience in managing and capacity building related to education system planning, evaluation, strengthening and reform, policy review, monitoring and assessment. 

Skills/Competencies

• Understanding and knowledge of the UN mandates and its programming in relevant areas in the framework of the Sustainable Development Agenda, and in particular the SDG4 – Education 2030 Agenda
• Understanding and application of UN mandates in Human Rights and Gender Equality
• Excellent organisational skills and previous experience in organizing high-level events and workshops
• Good understanding and knowledge of education system evaluation and strengthening, policy review, learning assessment and curriculum reform
• Good skills and experience in capacity development
• Excellent communication and analytical skills as well as drafting skills for technical and policy documents 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken) 
• Any other UN language an asset

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience working with United Nations, international organizations or government agencies is an advantage

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individuals are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok office the specific requirements as below through careers.unesco.org 

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work. In case of consortium of individuals, CVs of each member to be submitted with application.
• A list of past work or reports/publications written with hyperlinks to access such paper if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline.
• A brief proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment and the proposed fee.

The complete application shall be submitted on or before 31 October 2021 17:00 Bangkok time.

NOTE

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at iqe.bgk@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.

APPLY NOW