National Consultant for Education

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 focus on building peace in the minds of men and women, UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable quality education for all, promoting lifelong learning opportunities, and ensuring that education is accessible to vulnerable populations, particularly in developing regions.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for Education is integral to the UNESCO-UNICEF Joint project "Empowering Education in Uzbekistan: Leveraging ICT and Digital Learning for High-Quality and Inclusive Education Results". This project aims to enhance educational outcomes for vulnerable children, particularly in rural areas and for girls, by modernizing classrooms and integrating digital learning tools. The consultant will play a crucial role in the design, implementation, and monitoring of pilot activities across various regions, ensuring that the educational needs of all students are met. The consultant will work closely with the Head of the UNESCO Tashkent Office and other stakeholders to provide technical guidance and support, facilitating the establishment of Model Centres for Pedagogical Excellence that serve as hubs for best practices in teacher training and professional development. This role requires a proactive approach to collaboration and communication with local education actors and stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a variety of key tasks, including:

• Supporting the design of pilot activities by assisting Regional Centres of Pedagogical Excellence in refining proposals that align with national and regional priorities.
• Facilitating planning sessions that cover logical frameworks, work plans, budgets, partnerships, and resource needs.
• Providing inputs to the Proposal Evaluation Team, which will conduct evaluations in Spring 202
• Offering training and coaching to pilot project teams on project management and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL).
• Supporting the rollout of monitoring tools and data collection for approved activities, tracking progress, and identifying risks or delays.
• Preparing concise monthly progress updates and contributing to interim findings for the Pilot Steering Group.
• Liaising regularly with Regional Centres of Pedagogical Excellence and selected partners, organizing workshops, consultations, and field visits to promote collaboration and sharing of practices.
• Collecting case studies, success stories, and multimedia documentation from regions to contribute to communication materials and reporting packages.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in education, social sciences, administration, or a relevant field. Additionally, a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in education, teacher development, and/or project implementation is required. Proven experience in project design, development of work plans, and budget management is essential. Strong facilitation, communication, and coordination skills are necessary, along with a readiness to travel frequently within the Bukhara, Surkhandarya, and Fergana regions. Proficiency in English and Uzbek is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree, which can be a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification in fields such as education, social sciences, or administration. This foundational education is critical for understanding the complexities of educational systems and the specific needs of diverse student populations.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least three years of relevant professional experience in the field of education, particularly in areas related to teacher development and project implementation. This experience should demonstrate a solid understanding of educational practices and the ability to manage and execute projects effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Uzbek is mandatory for this position, as these languages are essential for communication with stakeholders and for the successful implementation of project activities. Knowledge of Russian is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with additional partners and stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy position is set for 6 months, with the possibility of extension based on project needs and performance. The consultant must be based in one of the specified regions: Bukhara, Surkhandarya, or Fergana, and frequent travel within these regions is required. The position is open to external candidates, and UNESCO emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the hiring process, encouraging applications from individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and ensures confidentiality in the application process.