Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) is a specialized organization under UNESCO that has been operational for over 50 years. Its mission is to enhance the capacity of member states in education policy, planning, and management. IIEP-UNESCO operates in multiple countries, focusing on developing inclusive education systems that respond to various challenges such as gender issues, crises, conflicts, and climate change. The organization collaborates with UNESCO Member States to create more inclusive educational frameworks, particularly for children and young people with disabilities, through various programs funded by international cooperation agencies.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be integral to the implementation of the 'Planning for Inclusive Education. Regional Programme in West Africa,' specifically focusing on components related to evidence generation and technical support for analysis and planning. This role involves working closely with the IIEP-UNESCO technical team to assist the governments of Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone in improving data availability and quality regarding children and young people with disabilities. The consultant will also help strengthen national planning instruments to ensure inclusive education is integrated into sector strategies, thereby ensuring equitable access to education for all children and young people, regardless of their abilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's primary responsibilities include supporting the implementation of evidence-based data generation for Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, reviewing existing education data collection tools, and conducting stakeholder consultations to identify gaps and areas for improvement. The consultant will prepare diagnostic notes summarizing findings and develop technical recommendations for enhancing disability-inclusive data collection. Additionally, the consultant will support the technical review of the Inclusive Education Strategy, assist in organizing technical work with national teams, and contribute to the formulation of action plans and monitoring frameworks. Deliverables will include reports, updated tools, and training materials for capacity development activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as education, statistics, economics, public policy, or social sciences. They should have at least 10 years of professional experience in education sector analysis and planning, with a minimum of 5 years working with education data systems and inclusive education. Strong analytical and drafting skills are essential, along with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports and guidance materials autonomously.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, in education, statistics, economics, public policy, social sciences, development studies, or a related field is required. This educational background should be complemented by relevant professional experience in the education sector.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in education sector analysis and planning. This includes at least 5 years of experience with education data systems, EMIS, or administrative data, as well as experience in inclusive education and disability-inclusive data. Demonstrated experience in developing or revising education policies and strategies is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in both Portuguese and English, both written and spoken, is mandatory due to the consultancy's focus on Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Knowledge of the Washington Group question sets and experience in integrating disability-related data into education systems are desirable qualifications.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will last for eight months, from November 1st, 2026, to June 30th, 202

• Payment will be made in installments upon the submission and approval of deliverables, with fees determined based on the candidate's experience in accordance with UNESCO's remuneration scale. The consultant will work remotely and may need to travel for missions, with travel costs covered by IIEP-UNESCO. The application process requires candidates to submit a CV, a technical offer, and a financial offer by the deadline of October 4th, 202
• All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application, and short-listed candidates may be added to Talent Pools.