International Expert (Quality Assurance-TVET)

Parent Sector : EDUCATION

Duty Station: MULTIPLE

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement :

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Consultancy

Duration of contract : 6 to 9 Months

Recruitment open to : External

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 28/02/2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

UNESCO has a long-standing commitment to enhancing quality assurance in TVET worldwide, supporting countries in developing standards, capacity building, and ensuring qualifications meet national and international benchmarks. Through different projects in its different field offices, UNESCO collaborates with governments to improve governance, frameworks, and quality in TVET.

In Uzbekistan, UNESCO is implementing the " EU-funded TVET project, aiming to enahcne emplyability of youth in rural regions, in addition to enhancing the National Qualifications System through quality assurance interventions in TVET. The project focuses on modernizing TVET governance and building capacity for quality assurance, including peer reviews, capacity-building initiatives, and collaboration with international regulators.

In Togo, UNESCO supports the establishment of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as part of the CapED project, aligning with Togo's National TVET Strategy and the broader regional initiative led by UNESCO, ECOWAS, and the African Union to establish a regional qualifications framework in West Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks to establish a National Certification Framework (CNC) through UNESCO's CapED program to standardize qualifications, enhance their national and international recognition, and align with regional frameworks promoted.

UNESCO is therefore seeking a senior TVET/Quality Assurance expert to support UNESCO's different field offices (namely Uzbekistan, Togo, and DR Congo) in these endeavors. Please note that the consultancy consists of regular  travel to these field offices.

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Main Tasks and responsibilities

Uzbekistan: Lead the QA  peer reviews at the system level, focusing on qualification authorities; Organize and lead the final National Quality Assurance Conference in September 2025; Update and finalize QA manuals, ensuring alignment with national standards; Conduct capacity-building sessions for key stakeholders including MHESI, IPED, ILMR, and the Project Office; Collaborate with international experts for knowledge-sharing and peer review activities; Support the development of a publication documenting the quality assurance journey in Uzbekistan.

Togo: Support the NQF development by examining the work of the national working group; Produce and submit quality manuals for accreditation of professional branches; Conduct validation workshops and training sessions.Finalize the authority of certification document and manuals by December 2025;

DR Congo: Assess the CNC development status, conduct state-of-play assessments with ministries, and analyze regional CNCs; Lead capacity-building workshops on CNC and quality assurance; Produce feasibility reports, project plans, and action plans; Finalize CNC documents and quality manuals through consultations and validation workshops.

Timeline:

This consultancy requires approximately 10 months and will include:

• Uzbekistan: Three missions, including those in October-November 2024, January-February 2025, and a final mission in mid-2025, as per the provided contract.
• Togo: Four missions as detailed in the TOR: April, June, September, and December 2025.
• DR Congo: Three missions as per the TOR: April, July, and November 2025.

Deliverables

Deliverables for Togo:

• April: Projected Manual on quality for professional branches submitted.
• June: Final Manual on quality for professional branches validated.
• September: Final Manual on quality for certifiers submitted.
• December: Final National Certification Framework (CNC) document validated and final authority structure proposed.

Deliverables for DR Congo:

• April: Feasibility report covering policy, institutional, technical, and communication conditions.
• July: Workshop report on CNC understanding and project team formation.
• November: Final quality assurance manuals and multi-year action plan submitted.

Deliverables Uzbekistan:

• Monthly consultancy reports detailing work progress, challenges, and next steps.
• Peer review workplan until December 2025.
• Training delivery report for QA experts and stakeholders with materials and outcomes.
• Final QA manuals for awarding bodies, training providers, and assessment centers.
• Reports on EU regulator knowledge-sharing meetings.
• Final report summarizing the national QA conference and publication on Uzbekistan's QA journey.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education:
  • Advanced degree in education, public policy, human resource development, or a related field.
• Experience:
  • At least 15 years of proven experience in TVET systems, qualification frameworks, and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • Familiarity with quality assurance mechanisms in education and training systems.
• Skills:
  • Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality frameworks and recommendations.
  • Excellent facilitation skills for conducting training and stakeholder consultations.
• Languages:
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Working proficiency in French is essential for work in Togo and DR Congo
• Availability:
  • Willingness to travel for up to 10 missions across Uzbekistan, Togo, and DR Congo as required by the project timeline.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Regional Knowledge:
  • Prior experience working in Central Asia (Uzbekistan) and West/CentralAfrica (Togo and DR Congo) or similar contexts.
• UNESCO or International Organization Experience:
  • Familiarity with UNESCO’s approaches to education governance, Quality Assurance in TVET, and capacity building.
  • Previous experience working with UN oprojects is an advantage.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Knowledge of modular or competency-based certification systems.
  • Experience in piloting and scaling national education or training programs

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

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