National Education Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

 

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31-JULY 2024

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Afghanistan faced a serious learning crisis with one of the highest levels of learning poverty in the world. 93 percent of Afghan children aged 10 years old were unable to read and understand a simple text. Results from the 2017 Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) Service Delivery Survey by the World Bank also show that, despite remarkable expansion of schooling in the country over the past decades, Afghan students were not learning effectively. After spending 4 years in primary school, only two-thirds of Afghan students have fully mastered the Grade 1 Language curriculum and less than half of them mastered the Grade 1 Mathematics curriculum (World Bank, 2018). While learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had negative impacts on students’ learning outcomes across the world, including Afghanistan, both schooling and learning deprivations are likely to be exacerbated due to the current country context.

 

UNESCO strives to promote education in Afghanistan as a fundamental human right while aiming to provide access to quality, relevant and inclusive education for all. UNESCO has over the years been implementing education programmes and projects in Afghanistan. In alignment with UNESCO’s approved C/4 and C/5 and related country frameworks such as the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul Office seeks to accelerate the implementation of education programmes and projects in response to the fast-changing operating contexts. In addition to its leading role in sector-wide coordination and strategic planning while ensuring learning continuity through community-based programmes and alternative learning modalities in Afghanistan, the Office aims to enhance the knowledge base and knowledge sharing on several critical areas of the country’s education sector, including learning outcomes, teacher content knowledge and pedagogical skills.

 

Within the framework of the Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant provided by the Global Partnership to UNICEF Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul is leading its component. This includes measuring the academic achievement of Grade 3 students in Afghanistan, conducting an in-depth research study on teaching and learning practices, and disseminating key findings to relevant stakeholders.

Long Description

Main duties and responsibilities:

 

Under the overall authority of the Officer-in Charge of the the UNESCO Kabul Office, the overall supervision of the Head of the Education Unit, and immediate supervision of the inclusion, Quality of Education and Research (IQR) Project Officer/Team Lead, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

 

1. Provide technical assistance to the implementation of IQR Team’s projects, including a Grade 3 student learning assessment, a positive deviance research study, and alternative learning projects;

2. Assume primary responsibility for developing and finalizing learning assessment instruments, including question banks, test booklets, and background questionnaires for teachers, students, and schools, in collaboration with other national and international consultants and other IQR team members.

3. Support the development and finalization of research instruments for the positive deviance study. This includes creating questionnaires, interview guides, and observation checklists that effectively capture relevant data. Ensure that the instruments are both valid and reliable and assist in piloting and revising them based on feedback; 

Long Description

3. Assist in organizing consultative meetings with technical partners such as relevant Sections at UNESCO HQ, UNESCO Institutes, UNICEF and other members of the Education Strategic Thematic Working Group (Ed-STWG) in Afghanistan to ensure a participatory approach to the implementation of IQR Team’s research projects;

4. Provide technical assistance to the development of relevant technical documents and knowledge products within the framework of IQR Team’s research projects;

5. Support, as required, in coordinating with relevant education stakeholders to facilitate the seamless implementation of IQR Team’s projects;

6. Provide quality assurance to the outputs of alternative learning projects, such as audio lessons and digital teaching and learning materials, by conducting thorough reviews and evaluations to ensure content accuracy, clarity, and effectiveness;

7. Support the IQR Team Lead in consolidating relevant data and information to prepare project reports, including progress and financial reports. Ensure reports comply with donor requirements and organizational standards.

8. Undertake any other tasks as deemed relevant by the IQR Team Lead and/or UNESCO Kabul senior management.

Long Description

 Deliverables

 

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

1. Monthly progress report on the work completed in August 2024 and supporting documents (31 August 2024);
2. Monthly progress report on the work completed in September 2024 and supporting documents (30 September 2024);
3. Monthly progress report on the work completed in October 2024 and supporting documents (31 October 2024);
4. Monthly progress report on the work completed in November 2024 and supporting documents (30 November 2024);
5. Monthly progress report on the work completed in December 2024 and supporting documents (31 December 2024);
6. Monthly progress report on the work completed in January 2025 and supporting documents (31 January 2025);
7. Monthly progress report on the work completed in February 2025 and supporting documents (28 February 2025);
8. Monthly progress report on the work completed in March 2025 and supporting documents (31 March 2025);
9. Monthly progress report on the work completed in April 2025 and supporting documents (30 April 2025);
10. Monthly progress report on the work completed in May 2025 and supporting documents (31 May 2025);
11. Final report on the work completed by the consultant and supporting documents (30 June 2025).

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

Education: First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Education, Pedagogy, Linguistics, Mathematics, Sciences or a related field.

 

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in managing and implementing education programmes and/or projects;
• Demonstrated ability to engage and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including other UN organisations, national and international NGOs and local communities in Afghanistan. 

 

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent understanding of the education sector in Afghanistan;
• Strong communication skills and ability to function well in a multi-cultural team and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of partners;
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work;
• Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills;
• High level of personal and professional integrity;
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools;
• Fluency (spoken and written) in English and Dari and/or Pashto.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Education, Pedagogy, Linguistics, Mathematics, Sciences or a related field.

 

Work experience:

• Experience in curriculum development, development learning assessment instruments such as question banks, test booklets;
• Experience working with the UN or international organizations.

 

Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of different types of learning assessments, including large-scale learning assessment.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

The duration of this consultancy is 11 months, starting from August 2024. Any extension will be subject to organizational needs, availability of funding and satisfactory performance. This consultancy is office-based, i.e., the consultant is expected to report to office in accordance with UNESCO Kabul Office’s working time. The consultant will be provided with a laptop and necessary office equipment during the assignment.

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.

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