National Consultant for Competency-Based 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 various programs and initiatives to support educational reforms and enhance the quality of education worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Competency-Based Education will play a crucial role in supporting UNESCO and the Government of Himachal Pradesh in implementing the HP FUTURES project. This position involves providing strategic and technical guidance on competency-based education (CBE) and 21st-century skills, which are essential for preparing students to face the challenges of the modern world. The consultant will assist in conducting comprehensive assessments of existing education policies, training programs, and curricular materials related to CBE. They will also engage with stakeholders, facilitate field reviews, and contribute to the development of technical documents and training materials. The consultant's work will directly impact the integration of CBE into the education system, ensuring that learners acquire critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and digital literacy skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia and in collaboration with the UNESCO International Consultant and Himachal Pradesh education authorities. Key responsibilities include:

• Technical and Policy Support: Conducting desk reviews of state-level policies, curricula, teacher training programs, and assessments relevant to CBE and 21st-century skills. Summarizing and analyzing documents in Hindi or English to support the assessment process. Mapping 21st-century competencies across curriculum, pedagogy, and assessments.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Field Facilitation: Liaising with project coordinators, SCERT, DIETs, school leaders, teacher educators, and vocational institutions to organize interviews, meetings, and consultations. Coordinating logistics for field visits and documenting proceedings and stakeholder inputs.
• Support to Reporting and Knowledge Products: Providing inputs and feedback for drafting reports, training modules, and recommendations. Drafting technical notes, consultation summaries, and briefing documents. Assisting in developing a roadmap for teacher capacity-building and system-wide implementation of CBE. The consultant will also be responsible for managing their logistics, including office space, administrative support, and travel arrangements, ensuring that all sources are properly cited according to the Harvard referencing style.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be Indian nationals with an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related fields. They should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in education systems, teacher training, or education policy in India. Experience working with government education departments and institutions such as SCERTs and DIETs is essential. Familiarity with competency-based education, 21st-century skills, and the NEP 2020 framework is also required. Desirable qualifications include familiarity with the educational context of Himachal Pradesh and proven experience collaborating with international non-profit organizations on education development initiatives.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related fields. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of education systems and policies, particularly in the context of competency-based education and 21st-century skills.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 5 years of relevant experience in the education sector, specifically in education systems, teacher training, or education policy within India. This experience should include working with government education departments and institutions, providing a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the Indian educational landscape. Familiarity with competency-based education and the NEP 2020 framework is crucial for effectively contributing to the HP FUTURES project.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Hindi, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. This language proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, drafting reports, and conducting assessments. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is expected to be from 1 July 2025 to 1 February 2026, with the possibility of extension based on project needs. The consultant will be responsible for their logistics, including office space, administrative support, and travel arrangements, with all related costs included in the lump sum proposal. The selection process will prioritize candidates based on qualifications and cost, with a weighted model allocating 70% to qualifications and 30% to cost. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against harassment and is committed to achieving gender parity and workforce diversity.