Non-Staff Consultant

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Multiple

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 : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 19-11-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO Pacific is seeking an individual expert based out of the Pacific to support the preparation and effective implementation of the 26th Consultation Meeting of the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES), scheduled to take place in Pohnpei, FSM from 11-13 February 2025. The meeting is co-hosted by the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States.

UNESCO serves as secretariat to the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES) – a network comprising the senior-most officials from the ministries of education across 15 Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). PHES serves several complementary purposes:

1. to support coordination among national education systems in the Pacific by identifying common solutions;
2. (ii) to facilitate SIDS-SIDS or South-South and triangular cooperation;
3. (iii) to promote mutual professional development; and
4. (iv) to uphold standards for education and educational outcomes in pursuit of global and regional goals and targets.

PHES reviews system needs spanning from basic education to higher education and lifelong learning, including continuing education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The network aids in the development of relevant policies, education sector plans and practices and provides guidance to regional collaboration and coordination such as under the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), a regional policy and programme implemented by 15 Pacific Island Countries and Territories in support of the Education 2030 agenda, SDG 4 and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The 26th consultation meeting precedes the 2nd Conference of Pacific Education Ministers to be held in Port Moresby, PNG in March 2025. To this end, the PHES meeting serves to prepare for CPEM and agree on key matters to be discussed at the highest policy level

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Consultancy Overview  

The position is a consultancy with payment by deliverables. The individual expert works under the authority of the Director of the Office and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Education in Apia, Samoa. The expert will play a pivotal role in supporting the co-chairs, the government of FSM and UNESCO in preparing and holding the 26th consultation meeting of PHES. This includes key activities during the preparation of the consultation meeting, including the finalization of the meeting agenda, coordination with PHES members and development partners on thematic inputs, as well as moderation of the 3-day event.

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Activities

Consultant activities include the following:

1. Develop familiarity with the PHES structure, governance and mechanism, in particular the purpose of the PHES consultations, it’s linkage with CPEM and regional collaboration mechanisms, including PacREF.
2. Prior to the consultation meeting, provide assistance to the co-chairs in:
   1. Finalizing the draft agenda for the 3-day consultation meeting;
   2. Developing a detailed annotated meeting agenda outlining roles and responsibilities of PHES members, development partners and the co-chairs, notes for the co-chairs and moderator;
   3. Coordinating with PHES members and development partners to ensure timely provision of presentations and research/background papers for discussion and in alignment with PacREF and CPEM priorities;
   4. Developing an evaluation form to capture feedback to inform follow up and future meetings.
3. During the consultation meeting, support the co-chairs in:
   1. Moderating and guiding participants through the 3-day meeting as MOC;
   2. Providing technical support to the co-chairs adapting the agenda to respond potential unforeseen changes;
   3. Contributing to developing the outcome document to be reviewed and endorsed by the PHES members on the last day of the consultation meeting;
   4. Keeping records of key decisions for reporting and follow-up actions (the meeting will be recorded).
4. After the meeting, support the co-chairs in:
   1. Drafting a qualitative report and analysis of evaluation for way forward.
5. Revise draft meeting outcome report based on review and input from PHES members, and finalize the report, ready for publication

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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.

SKILLS AND OTHER COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Excellent organization and coordination skills;
• Ability to deliver on time and on target with a careful attention to details under pressure;
• Ability to produce a quality meeting report in clear and concise manner, capturing key discussions;
• Knowledge and understanding of education systems and development in the Pacific;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment and in a team with respect and humility;
• Consultant must be available throughout the duration of the meeting and travel to the meeting location (11-13 February 2025, Pohnpei, FSM) and be able to accommodate the work and communication suitable for the co-chairs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or equivalent in education, international development or other related areas is required.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in managing, organizing and coordinating national, regional or international complex meetings;
• Experience in producing quality meeting procedures as well as summarizing participants’ feedback to produce constructive and relevant ways forward.

Language Requirements:

• Oral and written fluency in English is required.

REMUNERATION:Consultancy fees will be paid in three instalments upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. Total working days to not exceed 23 days. TRAVEL:Applications for this consultancy must include travel costs for return ticket to the capital of FSM, and a lumpsum for per diem (5 full working days in Pohnpei). Applicants who reside in Pohnpei are not entitled for travel expenses.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All interested applicants that are readily available for the work are encouraged to send their application letter, CV (preferably in the UNESCO CV form) in English and a financial proposal for Lump Sum fee stated in US Dollars (USD) and lump sum for travel expenses (air ticket + per diem) no later than Tuesday 19 November 2024, at 00:00 Hrs Samoa time by email to proposals.pacific@unesco.org. In your CV, please indicate three referees. Include the scanned academic certificates, and copy of passport/National ID. In the title of your application email, please include the reference “26th PHES meeting_ Consultancy Support_ Your full name”.

For complete details about the position, applicants may request the Terms of Reference by emailing: ao.apia@unesco.org.

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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