Consultant for EMIS Development

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, working to build peace, eradicate poverty, and foster sustainable development through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. The organization is dedicated to promoting education as a fundamental human right and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing UNESCO's support to Member States in strengthening their education management information systems (EMIS). This position involves providing technical guidance for the implementation of the EMIS Progress Assessment Tool (EMIS-PATT) at the country level, particularly in nations such as Kenya, Lebanon, Vietnam, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, and Nauru. The consultant will also be responsible for developing new thematic modules for the EMIS-PATT, including an Inclusion Module and an Education in Emergency module. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the development of a Competency Framework for EMIS personnel and support the preparation and delivery of an international conference on EMIS in the era of AI. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC). The consultant will also work on enhancing the Higher Education Policy Observatory platform, which integrates data from 146 countries and aims to provide a robust evidence base for higher education systems and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1) Develop and provide technical backstopping for the EMIS-PATT modules, including drafting two new thematic modules: the Inclusion Module and the Education in Emergency module. Finalize the higher education module and ensure alignment with UNESCO’s global EMIS framework. 2) Finalize a draft Competency Framework for EMIS personnel through a participatory approach, proposing institutional mechanisms for implementation. 3) Provide technical support for the preparation and delivery of an international conference on EMIS, including contributing to the conceptualization and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design. 4) Support the GPE-funded project in Ukraine, focusing on e-governance and EMIS strengthening, and ensure timely delivery and monitoring of project activities. 5) Further develop the Higher Education Observatory platform by enhancing visualizations, refining policy indicators, and collaborating with IT partners to ensure platform sustainability.

Required Qualifications:
• Advanced university degree (PhD) in education planning, information systems, statistics, public administration, or a related field. • At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in EMIS development, data systems, or education sector planning. • At least 8 years of relevant experience in higher education policy and comparative analysis at the international level. • Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative research, as well as in developing analytical tools, frameworks, and guidelines for national education systems. • Familiarity with higher education governance and legislative systems, EMIS capacity development strategies, and international standards in education data. • Familiarity with IT development processes, backend systems, HTML coding, and data visualization methods. • Experience with international organizations, preferably in multilateral settings. • Excellent drafting and communication skills in both French and English; knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a PhD, in fields related to education planning, information systems, statistics, public administration, or other relevant areas. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of education management systems and their implementation in various contexts.

Experience:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in the development of education management information systems (EMIS), data systems, or education sector planning. Additionally, at least 8 years of experience in higher education policy and comparative analysis at the international level is required. This extensive experience is crucial for effectively contributing to the various tasks outlined in the job description, particularly in developing analytical tools and frameworks for national education systems.

Languages:
Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to draft documents and communicate effectively in both languages. Knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset, which may enhance the consultant's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders and resources.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position ranges from 1 to 6 months, and it is open to external candidates. The recruitment process will involve an online application, and candidates must provide complete and accurate information. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages applications from individuals from under-represented Member States, minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and equitable geographical distribution among its staff.