Consultant (None Staff)

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. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and promoting human rights, particularly in the fields of education and cultural preservation.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is aimed at providing technical support for the development of the adapted Accelerated Adult Learning (AAL) eBook and associated learning materials, specifically targeting marginalized learners, particularly young women in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The consultant will serve as the adult learning technical lead, ensuring that all content adheres to sound literacy and numeracy pedagogy, aligns with international standards of good practice in adult education, and reflects the principles of accelerated adult learning. This role is crucial in ensuring that the educational materials developed are not only effective but also culturally relevant and accessible to low-literacy learners. The consultant will work closely with development teams to provide quality assurance and expert guidance throughout the material development process, ensuring that the instructional elements remain aligned with the original purpose of the AAL course.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for reviewing storyboards, draft materials, and prototypes developed by the content creation and technical integration teams. They will provide written and verbal feedback to ensure alignment with adult learning principles, literacy and numeracy methodologies, and gender-sensitive approaches. The consultant will verify that all developed materials are consistent with the curriculum framework and intended outcomes of the AAL course. They will assess the integration of functional and vocational skills content, ensuring that materials remain practical and contextually relevant. Additionally, the consultant will identify risks or gaps in the pedagogical design and propose corrective measures. They will maintain close communication with UNESCO’s project team, offering on-demand technical backstopping during the assignment period.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, adult learning, literacy and numeracy, or a related field. They should have at least 10 years of demonstrated experience in adult literacy and numeracy program design, implementation, and evaluation, preferably in low-resource or humanitarian settings. Familiarity with the Bangladesh context, particularly prior experience working in Cox’s Bazar or within the Rohingya response, is highly desirable. A proven track record of applying adult learning principles to literacy and numeracy education, including curriculum or materials development, is essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as education, adult learning, literacy and numeracy, or a related discipline. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding the complexities of adult education and the specific needs of marginalized learners.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in adult literacy and numeracy program design, implementation, and evaluation. Candidates should have a strong background in working within low-resource or humanitarian settings, with specific experience in the Bangladesh context being highly advantageous. Experience in applying adult learning principles to literacy and numeracy education is also necessary.

Languages:
Excellent communication and reporting skills in English are mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Burmese or Rohingya languages would be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with the target population effectively. Proficiency in English is essential, and the ability to work independently under tight deadlines while maintaining close coordination with UNESCO staff and implementing partners is crucial.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 1-2 weeks, with the assignment requiring five working days of input, delivered flexibly over a period of up to three months. This arrangement allows the consultant to provide timely feedback at different stages of material development while remaining engaged throughout the production cycle. The position is open to both internal and external candidates, and the application process requires candidates to submit a completed Employment History Form along with a short 'Approach to Work' paper and proposed daily rate in USD. UNESCO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and encourages candidates from under-represented groups to apply.