Senior Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the 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. With a presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO works to foster collaboration among nations and to promote the sharing of knowledge and best practices in various fields. The organization is committed to ensuring that education is inclusive and equitable, and that lifelong learning opportunities are available for all. UNESCO's core values include commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism, which guide its operations and interactions with member states and partners.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant position is part of the HP FUTURES initiative, a UNESCO-led project aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of school education in Himachal Pradesh, India. This role is crucial in operationalizing and institutionalizing competency-based education (CBE) and 21st-century skills across various educational frameworks, including policy, curriculum, teacher professional development, and assessment systems. The consultant will work closely with the Lead Expert and local partners to ensure the effective implementation of the project, which aligns with India's National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 202

• The consultant will be responsible for providing technical support, developing training materials, and facilitating the integration of climate resilience into educational practices. The position requires a strong commitment to improving educational outcomes and addressing challenges in translating policy into practice, particularly in the context of teacher capacity and curriculum alignment.

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

• Providing technical support to ensure policy coherence and technical documentation by aligning various educational frameworks such as NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 202
• Supporting the design and preparation of pilot activities and training resources, including the development of training materials and workshop content for teachers and institutional stakeholders.
• Assisting in the implementation of classroom observation and mentoring systems, including the development of Teacher Observation Protocols and participating in classroom observation cycles.
• Supporting the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the pilot, including designing teacher questionnaires and analyzing observation data.
• Documenting implementation processes and consolidating evidence generated during pilot phases, including preparing evaluation reports and synthesizing lessons learned for future scale-up.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in education, curriculum studies, education policy, teacher training, social sciences, or related fields. A minimum of 8 years of experience in curriculum reform, competency-based education, teacher professional development, or education system strengthening is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience in developing training materials and pedagogical tools, as well as proven facilitation skills and experience conducting training workshops. Desirable qualifications include experience working with international organizations or the UN, particularly in education development projects, and familiarity with the educational landscape in India, especially in Himachal Pradesh.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, either a Master's or a PhD, in relevant fields such as education, curriculum studies, education policy, teacher training, or social sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the complexities involved in educational reform and teacher professional development.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 8 years of relevant experience in areas such as curriculum reform, competency-based education, and education system strengthening. This experience should include a strong track record of supporting the development of training materials and pedagogical tools, as well as conducting training workshops. Experience in education development projects, particularly in the context of India, is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication, documentation, and collaboration with various stakeholders involved in the project. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context in Himachal Pradesh.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is set for 7 months, with the assignment expected to commence on 01 June 2026 and conclude on 31 December 202

• The consultant will be responsible for managing their own logistical arrangements, including office space, administrative support, and travel arrangements. The position requires field engagement in Himachal Pradesh, necessitating two visits to the region. All associated costs, including research travel, must be included in the financial proposal. The consultant is expected to adhere to UNESCO's standards for documentation and reporting, ensuring that all sources are properly cited and that gender perspectives are integrated into all activities. The technical assets produced during the assignment will be the property of UNESCO.