Consultant for K–12 Life Skills Education Curriculum Framework

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading UN agency that focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services and rights, while also promoting gender equality and human rights.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide expert guidance in developing a comprehensive K–12 Life Skills Education Curriculum Framework for Bangladesh. The consultant will collaborate with a curriculum pedagogy expert to create age-appropriate teaching and learning materials for both mainstream schools and madrasahs. The materials must be culturally sensitive, technically robust, and aligned with international best practices, particularly the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE) and Bangladesh's national educational objectives. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including NCTB officials, educators, and parents, to ensure the curriculum meets the needs of the community and aligns with the government's educational goals for 2027.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including reviewing key documents related to previous curricula, conducting consultations with stakeholders to gather input and feedback, drafting curriculum documents, and finalizing these documents for submission to the NCTB. Specific activities include reviewing the 2012 and 2021 curriculum frameworks, SERAT analysis reports, and relevant national policies; conducting consultations with NCTB officials, educators, and community members; drafting and revising curriculum materials based on stakeholder feedback; and preparing a comprehensive K–12 Life Skills Education Curriculum Framework and associated teaching materials, including a teacher training manual and assessment frameworks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) in Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or a related field. They should have a minimum of 5 years of proven international experience in Life Skills Education, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in developing culturally and religiously appropriate educational content, as well as in-depth knowledge of the UN International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE). Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English are essential, along with proficiency in information and communication technology.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, either a Master's or a PhD, in relevant fields such as Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, or Gender Studies. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of developing educational curricula that are sensitive to cultural and social contexts, particularly in relation to life skills and sexuality education.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 5 years of international experience in the field of Life Skills Education. This experience should include working on sensitive education or health programs in Muslim-majority countries, demonstrating an ability to navigate cultural nuances and develop appropriate educational content. A strong portfolio showcasing previous work in this area will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the consultant will need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders and produce written materials. Knowledge of Bengali or other local languages would be advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is classified as a P-3 level position and will last for 80 working days, commencing on November 1, 2025, and concluding on July 30, 202

• The consultant will be expected to work closely with the Programme Analyst and Technical Officer in the Adolescent and Youth Unit, providing regular updates and participating in online meetings. The consultant may need to travel within Bangladesh for consultations and workshops, with travel expenses covered by UNFPA according to standard policies. Payment will be made in installments based on deliverables, with 25% upon finalizing the K–12 Curriculum Framework, another 25% upon completing age-appropriate content, and the remaining 50% upon finalizing the teacher training manual and assessment framework.