International Individual Consultant – Education Specialist

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 presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable development and promoting human rights, gender equality, and cultural diversity. UNESCO operates through various programs and initiatives, focusing on education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture, and communication/information.

Job Overview:
The position of International Individual Consultant – Education Specialist focuses on integrating Gender Equality (GE) and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into the curricula of Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) in Vietnam. The consultant will provide technical leadership and capacity-building support to a national team of education experts, ensuring the effective integration of GE and CSE within teacher education curricula. This role is crucial in supporting Vietnam's education sector reforms aimed at enhancing quality, equity, and well-being in education. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and other stakeholders to develop training materials, facilitate workshops, and provide mentorship to teacher educators. The assignment will involve reviewing existing curricula, co-designing training packages, and preparing reports on the integration process. The consultant will also be responsible for ensuring that the integration of GE and CSE aligns with national policies and contributes to long-term changes in teacher education.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Reviewing and finalizing a curriculum mapping report that identifies integration points for GE and CSE.
• Co-designing an agenda for a writing workshop to revise selected TEI courses.
• Co-developing a training package and facilitating a training workshop for teacher educators on delivering the integrated GE/CSE content.
• Finalizing a practical Guidance Note on integrating GE and CSE into TEI programmes.
• Preparing a final consultancy report with lessons learned and recommendations for scaling or adapting the approach across Vietnam’s teacher education system.
• Collaborating with a national team of technical experts to co-create all technical outputs of the consultancy.
• Participating in validation meetings and providing technical support to the national team.
• Ensuring that all activities are aligned with UNESCO's gender mainstreaming strategy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in fields such as education, teacher education, gender-transformative education, rights-based reproductive health education, curriculum development, or other relevant fields. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of ten years of extensive professional expertise and field experience in relevant technical domains. Experience in developing training content and materials for adult learners, as well as participatory workshop design and facilitation, is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills, and have a track record of integrating gender-sensitive approaches into program design and implementation.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, teacher education, gender-transformative education, rights-based reproductive health education, curriculum development, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of integrating gender equality and comprehensive sexuality education into teacher training curricula.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of extensive professional experience in relevant fields, particularly in education and gender equality. Candidates should have practical involvement in developing training materials and facilitating workshops, demonstrating a strong understanding of the educational landscape in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia region. Experience working with teachers, education administrators, and teacher training institutions is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Candidates with additional language skills, particularly in Vietnamese, will be considered favorably. Strong communication skills are essential for effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders and facilitating training workshops.

Additional Notes:
The contract is for a duration of four months, with a total of 41 days of work anticipated. The consultant will work remotely but is expected to travel to Hanoi for a mission scheduled for May 202

• The position is open to external candidates, and the application process includes submitting a detailed CV, cover letter, and financial proposal. The estimated start date for the assignment is mid-April 202
• The selection process may involve interviews and assessments, and candidates will be informed of the outcome of their applications. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply.