Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is a specialized agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. Established in 1945, UNESCO has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of more than 2,000 employees, working across various sectors to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant is integral to the project 'Closing the Digital Divide: Ensuring Gender-Transformative Digital Skills Education for Women and Girls,' which is a collaborative initiative between UNESCO and Beijing Normal University, in partnership with the Government of Tanzania. The project aims to enhance gender equity in digital education by addressing systemic barriers that hinder women's and girls' participation in ICT and technology. The Consultant will provide technical leadership and strategic guidance to ensure that gender-responsive and transformative approaches are integrated into all project activities. This role involves working closely with various stakeholders, including education authorities, school leadership, and mentors, to foster an inclusive environment that promotes girls' confidence and skills in ICT. The Consultant will oversee the implementation of extracurricular initiatives, such as ICT Clubs and mentorship programs, designed to empower girls and challenge gender stereotypes in technology fields.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing overall technical leadership and strategic guidance for the integration of gender-responsive approaches across all project interventions.
• Co-designing project methodologies and activities in collaboration with UNESCO and technical partners.
• Mobilizing and supervising a team of three Supporting Gender Specialists, ensuring consistent implementation of gender-responsive interventions.
• Strengthening the capacities of stakeholders involved in the project to effectively implement and sustain gender-transformative ICT education initiatives.
• Leading the identification and preparation of female role models and mentors for girls in ICT and STEM.
• Monitoring and documenting the progress of the gender component, capturing achievements and challenges, and providing strategic inputs for adaptive management.
• Ensuring that at least 50% female participation is achieved in all project activities and that girls' leadership and engagement are actively promoted.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. A PhD is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should have over 10 years of experience in gender equality and empowerment programming, particularly within the education sector. They must demonstrate expertise in integrating gender-responsive approaches into educational and ICT initiatives, as well as experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder programs and supervising technical teams. Proven ability to design and deliver capacity-building initiatives and produce high-quality reports is essential. Experience working with government and international organizations, particularly within the UN system, is an added advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Education, Social Sciences, or Development Studies. A PhD is considered a strong asset, indicating a high level of expertise and commitment to the field of gender studies and education.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have extensive experience, specifically over 10 years, in areas related to gender equality, girls' empowerment, and gender-transformative programming. This experience should preferably be within the education sector, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in promoting gender equity in digital education and ICT.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent proficiency in English and Kiswahili. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is crucial for engaging with diverse stakeholders and ensuring the successful implementation of project activities.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this consultancy is expected to last for three months, from August to November 202

• The position is open to external candidates, and the application process requires candidates to submit an online application along with an updated CV and assignment-related costs. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of securing high standards of efficiency and integrity in its hiring process and encourages individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to apply. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and ensures confidentiality in all applications.