Consultant for Teacher Professionalization

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 presence in over 190 countries, UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women. The organization focuses on education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture, and communication/information, and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees worldwide. UNESCO is committed to fostering sustainable development and promoting cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion across its programs.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for Teacher Professionalization is crucial in addressing the systemic challenges faced by Bangladesh's education sector, particularly in enhancing teacher quality and improving learning outcomes. The consultant will work collaboratively with an International Consultant recruited by UNICEF to develop a comprehensive application for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Transformation Grant (STG). This role involves operationalizing the Partnership Compact, which includes design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, theory of change, results chain, monitoring, implementation arrangements, and budget planning. The consultant will ensure that the program document effectively addresses key education sector challenges, particularly focusing on teacher professionalization and its impact on learning improvements. The consultant will also integrate cross-cutting themes such as gender equity, inclusivity, and climate resilience into the program design, reflecting local realities and concerns. This position requires a deep understanding of the education landscape in Bangladesh and the ability to engage with various stakeholders to co-create a robust proposal that aligns with national priorities and GPE guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including conducting a thorough review of existing national policies, strategies, and research studies relevant to teacher professionalization. They will identify gaps and opportunities in alignment with the Partnership Compact and government priorities. The consultant will facilitate stakeholder engagement by collaborating with government counterparts, development partners, civil society actors, and teacher training institutes to gather inclusive input for the proposal development. They will map ongoing education sector initiatives to ensure the STG design aligns with existing programs, avoiding duplication of efforts. The consultant will develop a comprehensive STG grant proposal, including a theory of change, results framework, monitoring and evaluation plan, and risk management approach. They will ensure compliance with GPE guidelines and support the development of the Government of Bangladesh’s Technical Assistance Project Proposal. The consultant will also conduct focus group discussions and interviews to gather insights from various stakeholders, summarize findings in a Situational Analysis Report, and facilitate workshops to validate and refine proposal elements. Regular reporting and communication with the Grant Agents and relevant ministries will be essential throughout the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a master’s degree in education, social sciences, public policy, international development, or a related field. A PhD is considered an advantage. Additionally, candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in education sector planning, policy development, or teacher development. A proven track record in managing large-scale donor-funded educational programs and familiarity with GPE guidelines, including the Quality Assurance Review process, is essential. Strong analytical and writing skills are required, along with excellent facilitation and communication abilities. Candidates should demonstrate the capacity to integrate gender, equity, climate-resilience, and inclusion considerations into project designs.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a master’s degree in relevant fields such as education, social sciences, public policy, or international development. A PhD would be advantageous, indicating a higher level of expertise and research capability in the field of education and development.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the education sector, particularly in planning, policy development, and teacher professionalization. Experience in designing and managing large-scale educational programs funded by international donors is crucial. Familiarity with GPE guidelines and the Quality Assurance Review process is also necessary to ensure compliance and alignment with international standards.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Bangla is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the stakeholders involved in the education sector in Bangladesh.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this consultancy is non-staff and is expected to last for a duration of 7 months, with a total of 120 days of work. The anticipated start date is early June 2025, and the consultant will be based in Dhaka, with potential field visits to selected districts or teacher training institutes for data collection and stakeholder engagement. Travel logistics will be arranged by UNESCO in consultation with the consultant. Regular reporting to the designated focal points of the Grant Agents and relevant officials in the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and Ministry of Education is required, with weekly or bi-weekly check-ins to discuss progress and challenges.