Consultant for Identifying Biases and Stereotypes in Educational Materials

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 inclusive and equitable quality education for all, promoting lifelong learning opportunities, and ensuring that education is a fundamental human right. UNESCO operates various programs and initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges, including violence in education, gender equality, and cultural diversity, making it a pivotal player in the international education landscape.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Identifying Biases and Stereotypes in Educational Materials will play a crucial role in addressing the significant challenges of violence in education across Latin America and the Caribbean. This position involves developing, piloting, and validating a self-applicable rubric that enables educational stakeholders to identify biases, stereotypes, and manifestations of symbolic violence in educational materials. The consultant will work closely with UNESCO to ensure that the rubric aligns with the organization's frameworks and is applicable to various educational contexts. The overarching goal is to promote a systemic and comprehensive approach to strengthen educational systems in the region, ensuring that all students have access to safe and inclusive learning environments free from violence, harassment, stigma, and discrimination. The consultant will engage in a participatory process, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including ministries of education, teacher training institutions, educators, universities, and civil society organizations, to ensure the tool's relevance and effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for coordinating with UNESCO to define the methodology and develop the initiative through five phases: 1) Conducting a conceptual review and mapping experiences related to educational materials and their impact on violence in education, focusing on gender, ethnic-racial, symbolic, and structural dimensions. 2) Designing the self-applicable rubric, defining dimensions, indicators, and practical examples based on evidence and input from key stakeholders. 3) Piloting the rubric in collaboration with educational organizations and validating its effectiveness through participatory processes. 4) Adjusting and technically validating the tool based on pilot learnings and feedback from relevant actors. 5) Disseminating the final methodological tool and designing workshops to facilitate its use. The consultant will also be responsible for producing reports and documentation at the end of each phase, ensuring that the outcomes are shared with stakeholders and contribute to the broader goals of the UNESCO Action Plan for Violence Prevention in Education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in education sciences, social sciences, sociology, anthropology, gender studies, human rights, intercultural education, or related fields. A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in the educational sector, preferably in Latin America and the Caribbean, is required. Candidates should demonstrate critical analysis skills of educational materials, textbooks, and curricular resources from an equity, inclusion, gender, or intercultural perspective. A conceptual understanding of symbolic and structural violence, hidden curriculum, stereotypes, biases, and an intersectional approach is essential. Proven ability to review and synthesize international evidence and document experiences is necessary, along with experience in designing and developing methodological instruments for analyzing or evaluating educational content, policies, or practices. Experience in conducting participatory processes and technical validation with diverse stakeholders is also required.

Educational Background:
A postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as education sciences, social sciences, sociology, anthropology, gender studies, human rights, or intercultural education is mandatory. A doctoral degree in a pertinent field is desirable and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in the educational sector, with a strong emphasis on critical analysis of educational materials and resources. Experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is preferred, as it provides context-specific insights into the challenges faced in the region.

Languages:
Proficiency in Spanish is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of English is desirable and may be beneficial for engaging with international stakeholders and resources.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is 10 months, and the position is open to external candidates. The work location is primarily remote, allowing for flexibility in how the consultant engages with stakeholders and conducts research. The consultant will be expected to produce various deliverables throughout the contract, including reports and methodological tools, which will be shared with UNESCO and relevant educational stakeholders. The selection process may involve video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks, ensuring that candidates meet the high standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity that UNESCO upholds.