Consultant for Support to Teacher Professional Development Policies

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 workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization aims to foster a culture of peace and sustainable development through education, and it works to ensure that everyone has access to quality education, particularly vulnerable populations. UNESCO collaborates with member states to strengthen their capacities to assess educational needs and develop evidence-based policies regarding teacher recruitment, distribution, management, and professional development. The organization also supports member states by providing policy advice and technical assistance, including the development of tools and guidelines, as well as opportunities for knowledge exchange and policy learning in key areas of teacher policy development.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is designed to support UNESCO's global and subregional initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher professional development. This role is crucial for advancing access to quality, inclusive education, particularly for vulnerable populations. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the TTF Secretariat in UNESCO Paris and the Education Sector in San José, focusing on two main initiatives: the integration of technology in teaching and strengthening governance and participation of members in the region. The consultant will be responsible for managing collaborative spaces between teachers and civil society organizations, contributing to the design and implementation of teacher training processes, and ensuring that teacher voices are included in educational decision-making. This position requires a proactive approach to developing work plans that facilitate stakeholder engagement and consensus-building around educational recommendations, particularly in the context of integrating technology into teaching practices. The consultant will also play a key role in supporting the organization of the XV Forum on Teacher Policy Dialogue, ensuring that the forum's content aligns with regional priorities and facilitates the sharing of best practices and innovations in teacher policy.

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

• Designing and implementing a work plan for managing collaborative spaces that foster participation among key stakeholders in teacher training.
• Reviewing and enhancing teacher training content and pedagogies, particularly in relation to the integration of artificial intelligence in education.
• Serving as a point of contact for teachers in various educational contexts, including early childhood education, equity and inclusion, and crisis situations.
• Supporting the development of the TTF Work Plan for 2027 and coordinating with UNESCO's subregional offices to enhance the relevance of the TTF in Latin America.
• Coordinating the participation of TTF members and strategic partners in the XV Forum on Teacher Policy Dialogue, including outreach activities and the collection of contributions.
• Assisting in the development of the forum program and session content, ensuring coherence with TTF priorities.
• Facilitating the documentation and follow-up of the forum, including report preparation and dissemination of key messages and recommendations.
• Producing monthly reports, work plans, and feedback documents for specific products developed during the consultancy.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a professional degree with a master's or doctoral level of education in fields such as education, pedagogy, social sciences, economics, technologies, or other related areas. Candidates should possess excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills, as well as a strong ability to work collaboratively in teams. Critical thinking, innovation, and a results-oriented approach are essential competencies for this role. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a commitment to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in educational practices.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a professional degree, preferably at the master's or doctoral level, in education, pedagogy, social sciences, economics, technologies, or other relevant fields. A higher level of education is preferred, particularly a doctorate in one of the aforementioned areas, as it aligns with the consultancy's focus on advanced educational practices and policies.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of professional experience in managing multi-stakeholder spaces in education, particularly related to teacher professional development. This includes experience in designing and facilitating consultation processes for the development of publications, collecting opinions and perspectives, and validating content and methodologies. Additionally, candidates should have at least 3 years of proven experience in researching, analyzing, or evaluating policies, programs, or initiatives related to teacher professional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Experience in designing, implementing, or reviewing teacher training processes involving technology is also required, along with at least 5 years of experience coordinating educational initiatives, programs, or projects in Colombia, preferably linked to teacher training in technology.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent written and oral proficiency in Spanish, or be native speakers. Proficiency in English, both written and oral, is also required, as it is essential for communication and collaboration in an international context.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be conducted virtually and is expected to last a maximum of 75 days. The consultant is expected to dedicate full-time effort to the development of agreed-upon products. Compensation will be determined based on experience and the time allocated to complete the deliverables outlined in the work plan. The position is open to both national and international experts, and no work permit is required for applicants residing outside Colombia. Candidates must complete an online application, submit an updated CV with three references, and provide a motivation letter along with a technical and financial proposal for the consultancy.