Individual Consultant - Campus Africa Programme Implementation Support

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. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. UNESCO's core values include commitment to the organization, integrity, respect for diversity, and professionalism. The Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and focuses on various initiatives aimed at enhancing education and cultural development across the region.

Job Overview:
The Individual Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Campus Africa Programme, which is a continental initiative aimed at transforming higher education across Africa to foster inclusive development, innovation, and regional integration. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Education Sector Head and will be responsible for providing technical and programmatic support for the implementation of the 2026-2027 workplan in Eastern Africa. This includes activities related to enhancing research capacity, improving relevance through links to employers, building quality assurance systems, and strengthening institutional governance. The consultant will engage in various tasks such as finalizing research projects, publishing findings, supporting AI integration in education, and promoting social entrepreneurship among student innovators. The role requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including governments, universities, and development partners, to ensure the successful execution of the programme's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Individual Consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Finalizing the 'Empowering Women in Applied STEM' research project across selected Anglophone Eastern African countries, producing resource mobilization briefs, and coordinating regional knowledge-sharing webinars.
• Supporting the publication and dissemination of the pilot phase of the same research project, including proofreading, copy-editing, and coordinating communication between report consultants and UNESCO.
• Providing technical support to the Education Track of the East African Alliance for Digital Skills and AI Research and Innovation, including assessing needs and developing strategic programme directions.
• Advancing social entrepreneurship skills for student innovators by documenting promising projects and exploring expansion opportunities.
• Promoting awareness and capacity building on recognition of qualifications, including mapping national institutions and facilitating regional consultations.
• Supporting programme coordination by drafting proposals, networking with stakeholders, and mobilizing resources for Campus Africa activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Public Policy, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education programme coordination, research management, or policy analysis is required. Demonstrated experience in coordinating research projects and managing multi-country programmes is essential, along with familiarity with gender equality in higher education and STEM. Knowledge of the higher education landscape in Eastern Africa and experience with AI integration in education are highly desirable. Prior experience with UNESCO or other international development organizations is an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or Public Policy. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of higher education systems and the socio-economic factors influencing them, particularly in the context of Eastern Africa.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to higher education programme coordination, research management, or policy analysis. This experience should include coordinating research projects and managing multi-partner programmes, as well as producing policy-relevant knowledge products. Familiarity with gender equality initiatives in higher education and experience with AI integration in education will be advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with strong written and verbal communication skills required for producing high-quality reports and proposals. Knowledge of French is considered an asset, given the multilingual nature of the Eastern African region, and may enhance the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is six months, and the position is open to external candidates. The consultant will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, but may be required to undertake missions to other countries in Eastern Africa as needed. The application process requires candidates to submit a comprehensive CV, a cover letter, an approach to the assignment, contact details for referees, a writing sample, and a cost proposal. UNESCO emphasizes equal opportunities and encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups. The selection process may include interviews and assessments, and all candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application.