National Education Consultant (Research & Quality Assurance)

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Kabul

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 17-Dec-2023

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

Background and Context

UNESCO strives to promote education in Afghanistan as a fundamental human right while aiming to provide access to quality, relevant and inclusive education for all. UNESCO has over the years been implementing education programmes, and projects in Afghanistan. In alignment with UNESCO’s approved C/4 and C/5 and related country frameworks such as the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul Office seeks to accelerate the implementation of education programmes, and projects in response to the fast-changing operating contexts. In addition to its leading role in sector-wide coordination and strategic planning while ensuring learning continuity through community-based programmes, and alternative learning modalities in Afghanistan, the Office aims to enhance the knowledge base and knowledge sharing on several critical areas of the country’s education sector, including learning assessment, teacher training, TVET and higher education, inclusive education, curriculum and Islamic education among others.

Against this backdrop, UNESCO Kabul Office is seeking a national consultant to support its Inclusion, Quality of Education and Research (IQR) team within the Education Unit in providing quality assurance to research and assessment outputs, producing and disseminating knowledge products such as study reports, policy and research briefs, factsheets, infographics etc., and identifying knowledge gaps related to education in Afghanistan to formulate new research initiatives.

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Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Kabul, overall supervision of the Head of the Education Unit and direct supervision of the Project Officer (Inclusion, Quality of Education and Research), the consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Provide quality assurance to study reports and knowledge products of the Education Unit, with a focus on ensuring their technical accuracy, language appropriateness in line with Afghanistan’s current context, and gender and cultural sensitivity;
• Conduct desk research, as required, to support the finalization of the Education Unit’s existing study reports, conceptualization on new research initiatives, and preparation of applications for research-related grants;
• Support the direct supervisor in identifying knowledge gaps to be bridged through the formulation of new research initiatives;
• Facilitate enumerator training workshops (as a local master trainer) and consultation meetings as part of UNESCO’s research studies and assessments in Afghanistan in collaboration with other IQR team members and international experts;
• Ensure accuracy of translations across Dari, Pashto and English languages of research materials such as data collection tools, collected data records, etc.;
• Provide management support, as required, to the direct supervisor, including reviewing ToRs for service providers, drafting concept notes for training workshops and meetings, providing inputs for relevant progress and donor reports;
• Provide support to technical coordination with the de facto authorities on UNESCO Kabul’s studies and assessments in collaboration with other IQR team members;
• Support knowledge management activities as required;
• Support resource mobilization initiatives, including providing inputs to proposals/applications for research-related grants; and
• Undertake any other tasks as deemed relevant by the direct supervisor and/or UNESCO Kabul senior management.

Duration and working modality

The duration of this consultancy is 6 months, starting from January 2024. Any extension will be subject to organizational needs, availability of funding and satisfactory performance. This consultancy is office-based, i.e., the consultant is expected to report to office in accordance with UNESCO Kabul Office’s working time. The consultant will be provided with a laptop and necessary office equipment during the assignment.

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Application Process

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document). Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

• Up-to-date CV with contact details of at least 3 references;
• Technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) including a precise description of the experience related to the terms of reference, as well as a brief explanation on the approach to employed to undertake this assignment effectively; and
• Financial proposal specifying a proposed final and all-inclusive fee to undertake the assignment (including total fee and monthly rate).

Deliverables and Timeline

• Monthly progress report on the work completed in January 2024 and supporting documents (31 January 2024)
• Monthly progress report on the work completed in February 2024 and supporting documents (29 February 2024)
• Monthly progress report on the work completed in March 2024 and supporting documents (31 March 2024)
• Monthly progress report on the work completed in April 2024 and supporting documents (30 April 2024)
• Monthly progress report on the work completed in May 2024 and supporting documents (31 May 2024)
• Final report on the work completed by the consultant and supporting documents (27 June 2024)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the fields of Economics, Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related area.

Work experience

• At least five years of relevant work experience in research in social sectors, preferably relating to education and training, is required. Demonstrated experience working with the UN or international organizations is desirable.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Good knowledge of research methods and strong analytical and research skills, including proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis with a proven track record of producing high-quality reports;
• Good understanding of the education sector in Afghanistan;
• Strong communication skills and ability to function well in a multi-cultural team and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of partners;
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work;
• Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills;
• High level of personal and professional integrity;
• Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools. Knowledge of statistical packages such as STATA, R and Python will be an asset; and
• Fluency (spoken and written) in English and Dari and/or Pashto.

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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.