Senior Consultant for Skills Development Strategy

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 operates numerous programs and initiatives worldwide, focusing on education, sustainable development, and cultural preservation, among others. UNESCO is committed to fostering inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, particularly in regions facing significant challenges such as conflict and socio-economic instability.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant for Skills Development Strategy will play a pivotal role in supporting UNESCO's mission in Afghanistan by developing a comprehensive and context-responsive Skills Development Strategy. This position is crucial in addressing the evolving educational landscape in Afghanistan, particularly in light of the significant changes following the August 2021 power shift. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a thorough review of existing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) strategies, frameworks, and assessments, and will engage in structured consultations with various stakeholders to ensure the strategy aligns with current socio-economic realities and emerging learner needs. The consultant will also focus on enhancing employability and promoting socio-economic resilience through community-driven and private sector-driven skills development interventions, ensuring that vulnerable populations, including women and returnees, are included in the strategy's implementation.

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

• Conducting a comprehensive desk review of existing TVET and skills development strategies, frameworks, and assessments to update the knowledge base.
• Developing data collection tools and conducting a mapping of non-formal skills training and education provision to identify gaps and promote coherence across initiatives.
• Leading the development of an updated strategic framework for non-formal TVET and skills development that reflects current operational realities and stakeholder capacities.
• Creating a practical implementation framework that outlines priority interventions and sequencing for the revised strategy.
• Identifying entry points for private sector engagement and proposing mechanisms to strengthen partnerships with employers and local markets.
• Supporting livelihood and skills development opportunities for vulnerable populations, ensuring pathways to employment and further learning are established.
• Facilitating structured consultations with education partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and community representatives to gather insights and feedback on the strategy.
• Developing a costed implementation plan that translates strategic priorities into actionable interventions, including a results framework with measurable indicators.
• Supporting the validation and dissemination of the final strategy, ensuring stakeholder engagement throughout the process.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies, or related fields. They should have at least 10 years of relevant work experience in TVET, skills development, and livelihoods at the international level, including experience in fragile or conflict-affected contexts. Proven experience in strategy development, particularly in non-formal and community-based skills systems, is essential. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, excellent stakeholder engagement abilities, and a solid understanding of labour markets and livelihoods programming.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in fields such as education, social sciences, development studies, or related areas is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of skills development and the socio-economic factors influencing education in Afghanistan.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in the fields of TVET, skills development, and livelihoods, particularly in international contexts. Experience in developing strategies in fragile or conflict-affected environments is highly desirable, as is a proven track record of working on non-formal and community-based skills systems. Familiarity with private sector engagement and labour market systems will also be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language of communication for this consultancy.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is six months, from July to December 202

• The consultant will primarily work remotely, with the possibility of 1 or 2 missions to Kabul as needed. UNESCO will cover necessary travel expenses, including daily subsistence allowance and flight tickets, in accordance with its administrative rules. The remuneration for this consultancy will be based on the consultant's qualifications and experience, aligned with UNESCO's consultancy rates. The application process requires submission of an up-to-date CV, a technical proposal, and a financial proposal in USD, excluding travel expenses.