UNESCO Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO's core values include commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism, which guide its operations and initiatives worldwide.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Government of Somalia through the Peacebuilding Fund project, which aims to promote peacebuilding, social cohesion, and inclusive teaching in traditional and Integrated Quranic Schools. The consultant's primary responsibilities will include conducting a needs assessment, facilitating focus group discussions, and leading the analysis and reporting of findings. This position is vital for identifying teachers' capacities, community expectations, and practical requirements for the subsequent teacher-training program. The consultant will not be responsible for developing the full training package or delivering Master Trainer training, but will focus on gathering and analyzing data to inform future educational initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review existing evidence related to the Peace Curriculum and other relevant materials from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (MEISA). Identify gaps in the existing evidence to guide the assessment process.
• Refine the methodology and tools for the needs assessment by developing research questions, sampling approaches, and discussion guides that cover various aspects such as teaching practices, peacebuilding, safeguarding, gender, and inclusion. Ensure that all materials are culturally appropriate and suitable for analysis.
• Support the testing and data collection process by pre-testing and revising the assessment tools, preparing guidance for facilitators, and training field personnel on the methodology and safeguards. Ensure data quality and coverage during implementation and document any constraints encountered.
• Process and analyze the findings from the data collected, consolidating and coding survey data and qualitative records. Analyze the data by school type, location, and inclusion dimensions, and maintain a documented dataset and coding framework.
• Report on the findings by preparing an integrated report, presentation, and matrix that links the findings to teacher-training requirements. Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and ensure that final reports and data are handed over to UNESCO in an organized manner.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, social sciences, applied social research, peace studies, or a related field. Candidates must possess strong analytical, planning, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with teachers, government counterparts, religious scholars, and communities. A gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive, and safeguarding approach is essential. Experience in teacher professional development, peace education, or collaboration with UN/international development partners is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as education, social sciences, applied social research, or peace studies. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of the educational landscape in Somalia and for effectively conducting research and assessments related to teacher training and peacebuilding initiatives.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of relevant experience in education research, training-needs assessment, or social research is required. This experience should include survey design, quantitative and qualitative inquiry, and analysis. Candidates should have a proven track record of conducting research or consultations in Somalia, with a deep understanding of traditional and Integrated Quranic education and the institutional and community context.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Somali and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, conducting assessments, and preparing reports. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 2 months, with the possibility of extension based on project needs. The position is open to external candidates and requires on-site work in Somalia. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and integrity throughout the hiring process and applies a zero-tolerance policy against harassment. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, and no fees will be charged at any stage of the hiring process.