Coordination Consultant for Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, fostering a culture of belonging and growth, and providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative, co-led by UNICEF and UNESCO, aims to support governments in designing, governing, and sustaining safe, equitable, and high-quality public digital learning platforms. This consultancy role involves providing dedicated coordination, technical support, research, and knowledge management for the Gateways Initiative over a one-year period. The consultant will contribute to the broader 2026–2028 Gateways workplan, which includes managing the Gateways dashboard and Knowledge Hub, engaging with countries, providing technical assistance, facilitating study visits and peer learning, and coordinating partnerships. The role also aligns with UNICEF's Digital Education Strategy 2025–2030, focusing on evidence-based, human-centered, and scalable digital education approaches that enhance learning outcomes, empower teachers, strengthen national systems, and promote equity and inclusion. The consultant will work under the supervision of Juliette Norrmen-Smith and collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including UNICEF Education, UNESCO, regional and country offices, and technical partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for coordinating the Gateways Initiative, which includes managing multiple workstreams, ensuring timely delivery of outputs, and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders. Key responsibilities include preparing technical notes, reports, case studies, and presentations; managing donor reporting and partnership monitoring; synthesizing research and evidence for communication and advocacy; organizing meetings, workshops, and study visits; and providing technical assistance to countries. The consultant will also be expected to contribute to the development of knowledge products and support the overall strategic goals of the initiative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a deep understanding of public digital learning platforms, EdTech, and education technology policy. Strong coordination, research, and writing capabilities are essential. The consultant should have demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, particularly those involving governments and UN agencies. Experience in digital education, public digital learning platforms, and managing donor reporting is also required. The ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver within deadlines is crucial for success in this role.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in relevant disciplines such as Education, International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Digital Transformation, Technology for Development, Learning Sciences, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary theoretical framework and practical insights needed to effectively contribute to the Gateways Initiative.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as education, digital learning, international development, public-sector digital transformation, knowledge management, or project coordination. Experience in supporting digital education initiatives and managing multi-stakeholder projects is highly desirable. The consultant should also have a proven track record of preparing technical documentation and managing partnerships effectively.

Languages:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Additionally, experience working with UNICEF, UNESCO, or other UN/multilateral organizations is desirable. Knowledge of other UN languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, or Chinese would be an asset, particularly in enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract is for a duration of 12 months and will be home-based with travel requirements. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights of children and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.