Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Established in 1945, UNESCO aims to promote world peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through international cooperation in education, the sciences, and culture. The organization has a mission to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO operates in over 190 countries and has a diverse workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. Its headquarters is located in Paris, France, and it has numerous field offices around the world, including in Kinshasa, where this position is based. UNESCO is committed to promoting quality education for all, and it plays a crucial role in addressing global educational challenges, particularly in developing countries.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant is focused on supporting the National Training Service (SERNAFOR) in the development and revision of continuous training tools for teachers and school directors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This role is part of a broader initiative aimed at transforming the educational system in the DRC, particularly through the EFFICACE project, which seeks to improve the quality of teaching and learning conditions. The consultant will be responsible for evaluating the relevance of existing training modules, aligning them with the professional competencies required for teachers, and ensuring that they incorporate the latest pedagogical and technological advancements. The consultant will also work on developing new training modules and observation tools that are aligned with the educational needs of the DRC, particularly focusing on improving literacy and numeracy skills among students. This position requires a deep understanding of the educational landscape in the DRC and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including educational institutions and government bodies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Structuring the content of training tools by organizing it into logical and progressive units, breaking it down into manageable modules and lessons.
• Developing engaging learning activities that involve teachers in discussions, group work, and case studies, while aligning observation tools to assess the integration of training outcomes.
• Selecting appropriate teaching methods and materials, utilizing a variety of pedagogical supports such as videos, presentations, and readings, and integrating technology for distance learning.
• Creating assessments throughout the modules to measure teachers' progress and designing final evaluations to verify the achievement of educational objectives.
• Ensuring continuous improvement by collecting feedback from participants and establishing a monitoring system to evaluate the impact of the training modules on teaching practices.
• Collaborating with SERNAFOR and UNESCO to ensure that the development process is aligned with national educational strategies and standards.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• A university degree at the Bachelor's or Master's level in the field of human sciences, education, or a relevant social sciences discipline.
• At least 7 years of proven experience in the fields of human sciences, particularly in education and project management.
• A strong understanding of the challenges and issues related to continuous training in the DRC.
• Demonstrated experience in designing training tools for teachers in both paper and online formats.
• Prior experience using participatory approaches and adult training techniques.
• Experience in producing sectoral plans related to diagnostics or evaluations within the Congolese educational system.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills for developing training tools.
• Proven ability to adapt training content to the educational context of the DRC.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree at the level of Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent in the fields of human sciences, education, or other relevant social sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and understanding of educational principles and practices that will inform their work in developing training tools for teachers and school directors.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically at least 7 years in relevant fields such as human sciences and education management. The consultant should have a proven track record of working on educational projects, particularly those focused on teacher training and capacity building. Experience in the DRC's educational context is highly desirable, as it will enable the consultant to navigate the specific challenges and opportunities present in the region effectively. Additionally, familiarity with participatory training methods and the ability to engage with various educational stakeholders will be crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is an excellent command of written and spoken French. This is essential as the majority of the educational materials and communication will be conducted in French. While not mandatory, proficiency in other languages, particularly local languages spoken in the DRC, would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate better communication and engagement with local stakeholders and educators.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is expected to last between 1 to 6 months, with a total of 35 working days allocated for the completion of the tasks. The consultant will work under the authority of the Chief of Office and Representative of UNESCO in Kinshasa, with direct supervision from the Chief of the Education Sector. The work will be conducted in phases, including document analysis, tool design, and validation workshops. The position is open to external candidates, and the application deadline is set for midnight Paris time on May 30, 202

• The consultant will be expected to participate in both residential and non-residential workshops, collaborating with various educational institutions and stakeholders throughout the process.