Technical 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. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. The organization focuses on building peace in the minds of men and women, fostering sustainable development, and promoting cultural diversity. UNESCO's work is guided by its core values of commitment, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism, which are essential in achieving its goals and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Technical Consultant position is integral to the CSESI project, which aims to enhance the capacity of countries to integrate climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability into their education sector plans and policies. The consultant will work under the authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Pacific States and will be responsible for leading the implementation of various activities aimed at improving educational planning in the context of climate change. This includes developing content for sub-regional meetings, co-facilitating discussions on climate-resilient educational planning, and leveraging data tools to enhance educational outcomes in the Pacific region. The consultant will also engage with stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration throughout the project, contributing to the overall goal of strengthening education systems in the face of climate challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Developing content for three sub-regional meetings as part of the Education Policy and Planning Fono (EdPP Fono), ensuring that materials are prepared in collaboration with partners.
• Co-facilitating discussions to identify challenges and develop tools for climate-resilient educational planning.
• Leveraging the Wansolwara Platform to map current practices and identify gaps in climate-sensitive data systems among Pacific Island Countries (PICs).
• Facilitating a study tour for up to three PICs to enhance their integration of climate change considerations into educational planning.
• Ensuring regular follow-up with stakeholders to monitor progress and provide support as needed.
• Preparing quarterly progress reports and outcome reports after workshops or meetings, detailing the achievements and challenges faced.
• Communicating effectively with all partners and contributing to project reports that provide policy recommendations based on project outcomes.
• Representing UNESCO-IIEP in regional and national meetings to align project activities with broader initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in education, international development, social sciences, or economics. They should have at least ten years of relevant work experience in education planning and technical cooperation projects, particularly in crisis-sensitive planning, with a preference for seven years of experience in the Pacific region. The consultant should demonstrate excellent knowledge of educational issues in developing countries, particularly in the Pacific, and have a proven ability to design and implement development programs related to climate change and education. Strong communication skills, both oral and written, are essential, along with proficiency in IT skills, including MS Office applications.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s degree or equivalent, in fields related to education, international development, social sciences, or economics. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of educational planning and the integration of climate change considerations into educational policies and practices.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of ten years of experience in the field of education planning and technical cooperation projects. This experience should include a focus on crisis-sensitive planning, with at least seven years spent working in the Pacific region. The consultant should have a strong track record of managing and implementing development programs and should be familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities present in the Pacific educational landscape.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within UNESCO and the Pacific region. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Pacific Islands may be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is between 7 to 11 months, and the position is open to external candidates only. The consultant will have the option to work remotely if required, but regular engagement with UNESCO staff across the Pacific and other partners is expected. The position is classified as a non-staff consultant role, and all travel costs related to the consultancy will be covered by IIEP as necessary. The consultant will be expected to submit a technical proposal, financial proposal, and CV as part of the application process.