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 : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 08-Feb-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and Context

Afghanistan has been facing severe humanitarian and economic crisis with increasing levels of food insecurity and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a devasting impact on people’s lives and livelihoods. Education, like all social services and sectors, has been severely affected and further complicated by the restrictions on girls’ education.

UNESCO Kabul Office has been leading sector-wide strategy development and thematic discussions to support education. UNESCO has also been playing an active role in strengthening teacher competency in, among others, pedagogy, social-emotional learning, and the provision of a safe learning environment with a holistic approach toward a comprehensive teacher support mechanism in Afghanistan. In addition, UNESCO has harnessed its convening power and engaged with multiple stakeholders and partners to explore opportunities and initiate alternative learning programmes and discussions, including low- and high-tech solutions, to ensure learning continuity among underserved populations, especially girls and young women.

Long DescriptionAgainst this backdrop, the UNESCO Kabul Office is seeking a senior international consultant to enhance its programming and implementation of activities at the nexus of teacher support, education technology, and alternative learning. The senior consultant is expected to provide substantive technical and management support to the Inclusion, Quality of Education, and Research team within the Education Unit of UNESCO Kabul Office.

Long Description

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Kabul Office, overall supervision of the Head of the Education Unit and direct supervision of the Project Officer/Team Lead (Inclusion, Quality of Education and Research), the senior consultant will support the conceptualization and implementation of activities related to teacher support, EdTech and alternative learning. The senior consultant will assume the following duties and responsibilities:

• Support the conceptualization of UNESCO’s new initiatives related to teacher support, EdTech and alternative learning with focus on building synergy across all thematic areas;
• Be responsible for follow-up activities related to education technology following UNESCO’s EdTech dialogue and stakeholders workshop organized in December 2023;
• Provide support to team members in implementing activities related to teacher support;
• Lead the development of alternative learning materials, including radio-based learning programmes at the secondary education level, and provide support to relevant team members on the implementation and broadcasting of alternative learning programmes and materials;
• Develop knowledge products such as thematic issue papers, briefs, factsheets, etc. based on UNESCO’s existing study reports on the areas of teachers, EdTech and alternative learning in Afghanistan;
• Provide quality assurance to other knowledge products developed by the team as relevant;
• Support the team lead in identifying knowledge gaps to be bridged through the formulation of new research initiatives, with a focus on teacher support, EdTech and alternative learning;
• Support resource mobilization initiatives of the team, including providing inputs to proposals/applications for research-related grants; and
• Undertake any other tasks as deemed relevant by the direct supervisor and/or UNESCO Kabul Office senior management.

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

Long DescriptionDuration

The duration of this consultancy is expected to be 5 months, from February to June 2024. The consultancy is on a full-time basis and may be carried out either fully in Afghanistan or with a hybrid working arrangement of at least 10-week in-country mission, upon negotiation with and approval by UNESCO. UNESCO will reimburse the necessary daily subsistence allowance, the most economical, direct round-trip flight tickets between the country of residence and Kabul, Afghanistan, and visa fees, in line with UNESCO’s administrative and human resources rules and regulations. The consultant is provided with the necessary equipment such as a laptop when working in Kabul, Afghanistan. Any extension will be subject to organizational needs, availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Deliverables

The consultant is required to submit the following deliverables in editable format every month. Payment under this consultancy will be output-based and will be made upon satisfactory completion of the assignment.

• Monthly progress reports and related supporting documents on the work completed each month until May 2024;
• Final report and related supporting documents on the work completed by June 2024; and
• Necessary supporting documents related to travel.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be based on the submission and validation of the deliverables. All submitted reports/materials should be drafted in English. The fee is payable in installments upon certification by UNESCO of satisfactory performance by the consultant for the work corresponding to each payment. All payments shall be made by bank transfer.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) – For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The consultant should have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD (preferable) in Education, Pedagogy, Education Technology or other related fields;
• At least 10 years of experience in the fields of education, education technology, pedagogy, teacher education, policy, or other related fields. Previous experience with UNESCO or other UN agencies and international organizations is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing the development of technology-enabled learning solutions and materials;
• Demonstrated track record of publishing high-quality reports and articles on topics related to education;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of education stakeholders such as government officials, national academics, technical staff from multilateral/bilateral organizations, etc.;
• Excellent communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills; and
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Application process

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

1. Up-to-date CV with contact details of at least 3 references
2. Brief technical proposal on approach/methodology to carrying out the assignment, including preferred working arrangement, i.e., fully in-country or hybrid (maximum 2 pages)
3. Proposed fee (including total fee and daily rate)

Note: These Terms of Reference are intended to provide a general framework for the consultancy. Further discussions and negotiations may be required to finalize the TORs and contract details.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESSPlease 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.

FooterUNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.