Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) in Africa is located in Dakar, Senegal. Established to enhance the capacity of UNESCO member states to plan and manage their educational systems, IIEP-UNESCO Africa is renowned for its educational sector analyses and assists African countries in developing robust educational system development plans in line with the 2030 education agenda. Through a capacity-building approach, IIEP-UNESCO Africa contributes to the production of diagnostic analyses, sector plans, and methodological tools that lead to more relevant and sustainable educational policies. It also plays a significant role in producing knowledge for the education sector in Africa, providing training to strengthen the skills of those responsible for defining, managing, financing, and evaluating education and training systems in Africa. More information about its activities can be found on the IIEP-UNESCO Africa website.

Job Overview:
The IIEP-UNESCO Africa plays a central role in supporting partner countries, particularly in the areas of sector analysis and educational planning. It assists governments in designing, implementing, and monitoring educational policies and strategies tailored to their national contexts. This support is also linked to a cross-cutting effort to strengthen national capacities, ensuring local expertise and sustainability of the processes engaged. The team operates in a complex environment, requiring close coordination with technical and financial partners, and is involved in multiple projects simultaneously. In this context, IIEP-UNESCO Africa seeks to recruit a consultant who will provide transversal support across several priority projects based on identified needs and work closely with team members. The consultant may also contribute to documenting experiences and improving the tools and approaches used by the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the authority of the Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Senior Policy Analyst of IIEP-UNESCO Africa, the consultant will contribute to the following activities/tasks: 1) Support in Senegal: In the context of updating the simulation model for Senegal, the consultant will: Support the development of the financial simulation model architecture for education; Participate in data processing and analysis; Assist in preparing arbitration sessions. Depending on the progress of ongoing discussions with the country regarding the update of the sector strategy, the consultant will: Support the development of planning and monitoring tools (Action Plan, CMR, key performance indicators matrix, etc.); Participate in data processing and analysis; Contribute to drafting the strategy. 2) Support to São Tomé and Príncipe: In the context of developing a diagnostic of the educational system of São Tomé and Príncipe, the consultant will: Write Chapter 3 (Costs and Financing) of the RESEN; Assist in reviewing and ensuring the quality of the RESEN report; Support the development of the simulation model architecture; Participate in data processing and analysis; Assist in drafting the framing note. 3) Support to Chad: In the context of diagnosing the national learning assessment system and conducting three learning assessments in the formal and non-formal systems in Chad, the consultant will: Support the analysis of the national assessment system; Participate in preparing the assessment of learning in the non-formal system; Participate in producing the analysis report. 4) Support to Somalia: In the context of supporting the implementation of the sector plan for Somalia, the consultant will: Assist in developing digital tools for data collection; Participate in designing operational planning and monitoring tools; Support capacity building for stakeholders. 5) Support to the Regional Program on Planning for the Inclusion of Learners with Disabilities: In the context of supporting the implementation of the Regional Program on Planning for the Inclusion of Learners with Disabilities in eight countries in the sub-region, the consultant will: Assist in developing and administering a survey among potential beneficiaries of the community of practice to analyze the audience and identify their needs and aspirations; Support the analysis of survey results; Assist in developing and administering a survey among potential beneficiaries and program partners to refine program activities and establish the monitoring and evaluation system; Support the analysis of survey results. 6) Transversal Support: The consultant will: Assist in developing technical proposals; Support the management of the office.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must meet the following qualifications: Education: A Master's degree in Economics, Statistics, or equivalent fields. Professional Experience: At least four (4) years of relevant experience in educational policy analysis in developing countries, preferably in Africa. At least one professional experience in designing and/or monitoring educational policies or education sector development plans, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa. Experience in designing and applying social research instruments, both quantitative and qualitative. In particular, proven experience in surveys, sampling methods, data collection, data management, synthesis development, data analysis, and reporting. Experience in using databases, qualitative analysis programs, data analysis and visualization tools. Skills: Excellent mastery of statistical and econometric techniques, or other quantitative techniques applicable to the education sector. Good knowledge of educational systems in developing and emerging countries and the challenges associated with them. Excellent analytical and synthesis skills. Ability to support and work with diverse teams. Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in Economics, Statistics, or equivalent fields is required for this position.

Experience:
The position requires at least four (4) years of relevant professional experience in educational policy analysis in developing countries, with a preference for experience in Africa. Candidates should have experience in designing and/or monitoring educational policies or education sector development plans, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English are mandatory. A good knowledge of Portuguese, both oral and written, is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy period will run from June 1, 2025, to December 31, 202

• The IIEP-UNESCO will provide the consultant with all available administrative and analytical documentation related to the service. The consultant must be available full-time during the working day, according to the office hours of IIEP-UNESCO Dakar. Candidates who meet the required qualifications are invited to apply by submitting a detailed CV and a technical and financial proposal. The technical offer, developed in a maximum of three pages, should describe the candidate's strengths and relevant experience based on the content and requirements of these terms of reference. Applications that do not contain this information will not be considered for the subsequent phases of the selection process. All required documentation must be submitted in French or English. The deadline for applications is set for May 16, 202
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the consultant may be selected before the indicated date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written assessment and/or competency-based interview.