Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) is a specialized institute under UNESCO, established to enhance the capacity of UNESCO member states to plan and manage their educational systems. The IIEP-UNESCO in Africa is recognized for its quality analyses of the educational sector and its contribution to developing robust plans for educational system development, aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Education. Through a capacity-building approach, IIEP-UNESCO in Africa contributes to producing diagnostic analyses, sector plans, and methodological tools that lead to more relevant and sustainable educational policies. It also plays a significant role in knowledge production for the education sector in Africa, ensuring that stakeholders involved in defining, managing, financing, and evaluating education and training systems are well-equipped. More information about its activities can be found on the IIEP-UNESCO Africa website.

Job Overview:
The IIEP-UNESCO is seeking to recruit a senior consultant specializing in statistical and econometric analyses applied to the education sector. The consultant will provide high-level technical support, demonstrating proactivity, innovation, and rigor in meeting deadlines. The role involves contributing to various significant projects aimed at enhancing educational planning and management systems in African countries. The consultant will work closely with the Bureau for Africa, supporting the development and implementation of a diverse portfolio of projects based on the expressed needs of countries. This includes analyzing resource allocation mechanisms, assessing the effects of decentralized teacher management on efficiency, quality, and equity, and utilizing educational data to inform public policies. The consultant's work will be primarily remote, with IIEP-UNESCO facilitating necessary contacts with national authorities for data collection.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the analysis of resource allocation mechanisms by developing a mapping of data sources, contributing to the study protocol, processing multiple databases, conducting statistical and econometric analyses, and drafting the study report with identified allocation options.
• Assist in analyzing the effects of decentralized teacher management on efficiency, quality, and equity by reviewing documentation, mapping governance roles, identifying bottlenecks, and formulating recommendations to enhance coordination and improve the efficiency and equity of teacher management systems.
• Support the analysis of teacher presence in classrooms by cleaning and processing complex data waves, constructing a data panel, and producing indicators for the data collection waves.
• Assist in the exploitation of student achievement data by cleaning and processing data from a study on educational outcomes and producing disaggregated indicators.
• Support the realization of a preschool study by preparing data for sampling, contextualizing data collection tools, and participating in data cleaning and analysis.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must meet the following qualifications:

• Education: A minimum of a Master's degree in economics, statistics, econometrics, quantitative and qualitative research methods, or equivalent fields.
• Professional Experience: At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in quantitative analysis and/or research in education, with proven expertise in statistical and econometric analysis methods using modern tools.
• Skills: Strong oral communication skills, ability to facilitate technical discussions, excellent writing quality, and synthesis capability. The consultant should be able to work independently and have advanced proficiency in at least one statistical and econometric analysis software (Stata, R, Python, or equivalent).

Educational Background:
A minimum of a Master's degree in economics, statistics, econometrics, quantitative and qualitative research methods, or equivalent fields is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to conduct high-level analyses and contribute effectively to the projects undertaken by IIEP-UNESCO.

Experience:
The position requires at least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in quantitative analysis and/or research in the education sector. This level of experience is crucial for the consultant to effectively engage in complex analyses and provide valuable insights that can inform educational policies and practices.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in French are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but French is the primary language of communication within the organization and for the projects undertaken.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will last for a period of 11 months, starting from July 15, 2026, to April 30, 202

• The work will primarily be conducted remotely, with IIEP-UNESCO providing necessary administrative and analytical documentation and facilitating contacts with relevant institutions for data collection. The organization emphasizes the importance of securing high standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity in its personnel appointments. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment and encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply. All applications will be treated with confidentiality, and the statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years. No fees are charged at any stage of the hiring process.