Middle-Level Consultant on Education

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to promote peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. 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 and promoting lifelong learning opportunities. UNESCO operates with a diverse workforce of approximately 2,000 employees, working across various sectors to address global challenges and promote sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Middle-Level Consultant on Education will play a crucial role in addressing educational exclusion, particularly focusing on out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY) and dropout rates. The consultant will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive literature review on data systems related to OOSCY, dropout, and learner pathways. This position requires a deep understanding of the barriers to education and the factors contributing to educational exclusion. The consultant will also prepare country case studies to assess the capacity of national data systems in tracking OOSCY and dropout rates, ensuring that the findings contribute to UNESCO's broader thematic work. The consultant will develop a module for the Education Management Information System (EMIS) that will enhance the tracking of learner pathways and dropout risks, ultimately supporting educational policy and planning.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a literature review on existing data systems for out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY), dropout rates, and learner pathways, utilizing various UNESCO and partner documents.
• Prepare six case studies on national data systems' capacity to track OOSCY and dropout, using a standardized template and conducting remote interviews with relevant stakeholders.
• Develop the EMIS-PATT OOSCY and learning pathways module, mapping findings from the literature review and case studies onto the EMIS-PATT structure.
• Identify enabling conditions for effective data tracking and response systems, including governance, data protection, and longitudinal data use.
• Produce deliverables including an inception report, literature review, case studies, and the final EMIS-PATT module, ensuring all materials adhere to UNESCO's branding guidelines.
• Integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis where feasible.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in education planning, information systems, statistics, public policy, or a related field. They should have at least five years of relevant professional experience in the development of Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) or education data systems, with a focus on learner-level data, attendance, and dropout monitoring. In-depth knowledge of the UNICEF and UNESCO OOSCI framework is essential, along with proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Familiarity with data systems for early childhood care and education (ECCE), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and higher education is also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree is required, specifically in fields related to education planning, information systems, statistics, public policy, or similar disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of educational data systems and their implications for policy and practice.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in the development and implementation of EMIS or education data systems. Candidates should have experience in monitoring learner-level data, attendance, and dropout rates, as well as familiarity with international organizations and multilateral settings, especially in contexts affected by crises or displacement.

Languages:
Excellent drafting and communication skills in English are mandatory. Knowledge of French or Spanish is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to multilingual educational contexts.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last approximately three months, from November 2026 to the end of January 2027, with a total of around 60 working days. The work will be home-based, allowing for flexibility in the consultant's schedule. Candidates must submit a consolidated PDF document that includes a short proposal, financial proposal, and a CV, all adhering to specified page limits. The application deadline is set for 23:59 CET on 17/11/202

• UNESCO emphasizes a commitment to diversity and encourages applications from individuals from minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and ensures confidentiality in the hiring process.