National Consultant – Education

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. Established in 1945, UNESCO has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, ensuring that its workforce reflects the global community it serves.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant – Education will play a pivotal role in advancing UNESCO’s Education for Health and Well-being (EHWB) agenda in Bangladesh. This position requires the consultant to provide technical, coordination, and operational support for the effective planning and implementation of key EHWB projects. These projects include Health Promoting Schools (HPS), Social and Emotional Well-being (SEW), Building Strong Foundations (BSF), and initiatives under the GPE System Transformation Grant (STG). The consultant will also be involved in promoting gender-responsive pedagogy, creating safe and inclusive learning environments, and preventing school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV). The role demands a collaborative approach, working closely with various stakeholders to ensure that education policies and practices are aligned with health and well-being objectives. The consultant will also contribute to research and knowledge management, develop training modules and curricula, and support the mainstreaming of health and well-being education across various educational frameworks in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

• Supporting the planning, coordination, implementation, and scale-up of Health Promoting Schools (HPS) initiatives, including the development and monitoring of action plans.
• Facilitating data collection, documentation, and analysis to identify good practices and lessons learned from HPS implementation.
• Coordinating with the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME), Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM), National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), schools, and partners to ensure coherence in HPS interventions.
• Assisting in the preparation of progress updates, monitoring reports, policy briefs, and documentation for UNESCO and its partners.
• Supporting the development of the GPE System Transformation Grant (STG) proposal, particularly in integrating EHWB.
• Providing strategic technical support for the integration of Social and Emotional Well-being (SEW) within education initiatives.
• Supporting the planning and implementation of Building Strong Foundations (BSF) initiatives focusing on health education and learner well-being.
• Drafting project concept notes for resource mobilization and supporting research and evidence-generation activities.
• Assisting in the preparation of analytical notes, case studies, and policy briefs to inform design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and policy dialogue. 1
• Supporting communication and visibility efforts, including drafting documents and developing materials in English and Bangla.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, or related disciplines. Additionally, a minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible work experience in technical, logistical, administrative, and management support for program implementation is required. Experience with UN agencies, INGOs, or government agencies is preferred. Candidates should have a proven track record in developing communication materials, including social media content, and should demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in drafting documents in both English and Bangla.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the field of Education or Social Sciences or other related disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to UNESCO’s education initiatives.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience. This experience should encompass technical, logistical, administrative, and management support for program implementation, ideally within the context of UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), or government agencies. Candidates should also have experience in developing communication materials, which is crucial for the role.

Languages:
Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Bangla is essential for this position. This bilingual capability is necessary to effectively communicate with stakeholders, draft documents, and develop communication materials. Knowledge of additional languages would be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a national position, and females are particularly encouraged to apply. The contract duration is set for 10 months, and the job is full-time. The salary is negotiable, ranging from BDT 50,000 to 60,000 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. The consultant may be required to undertake field missions, with related expenses covered by UNESCO in accordance with relevant regulations. The recruitment process will involve an online application, and candidates will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the vacancy notice. Selected candidates will undergo reference checks, and UNESCO emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy against harassment, promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce.