Individual Consultant – Resource Mobilization

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Yangon

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 13-MAY-2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE 

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seeking to recruit an international consultant to provide technical assistance for resource mobilization of the education partners in Myanmar. UNESCO recognizes the crucial role of education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and as part of it, the need for sufficient funding in education. In the context of Myanmar, the education needs have been exacerbated while funding for education has been reduced. UNESCO Yangon Project Office contributes to education coordination and analysis in collaboration with its partners, and with leadership as the grant agent for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and its Education Sector Plan Development Grant (ESPDG).

UNESCO is to coordinate the development partners in the education sector as an effective convener to support to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4.  The consultancy is to support the Head of the Office to communicate with various partners, design the TOR for research and assessment, facilitate meetings with partners, and report to donors. The Individual Specialist is to technically contribute to design the next phase of the education coordination project as well as other projects in the education unit of UNESCO Myanmar Project Office.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To provide comprehensive analysis and technical assistance to UNESCO and the local education partners on resource mobilization for the education response in Myanmar. 

Long Description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Under the overall authority of the Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office in Bangkok, the direct supervision of Head of UNESCO Project Antenna in Yangon, the Individual Specialist is responsible for providing programme support on the education sectoral and UN coordination. Within the framework of UNESCO’s global development agenda such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Individual Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

(a)  Provide a methodology for donor mapping and analysis on the current funding outlook for Myanmar education sector in development, humanitarian and nexus space. Develop the methodology for mapping of potential donors and financing opportunities. Seek UNESCO approval for finalized methodological approach. 
(b) Develop analysis and actionable advocacy and resource mobilization steps for increasing of donor engagement and financing in Myanmar education sector. Identify with evidence-based analysis, at least 20 donor and grant opportunities which are eligible for Myanmar education partners and could be engaged to increase funding. This can include formerly active donors who have pivoted away from Myanmar education financing, untapped and eligible global or regional funds, philanthropic initiatives, private foundations, smaller grant, and sub-granting opportunities for local CSOs. Provide a written report on the analysis with relevant contact points and leads, descriptions on eligibility, and estimations on potential financing. Develop a resource mobilization advocacy plan, with relevant messaging and talking points for advocacy on resource mobilization.  
(c) Provide a capacity-building and information sharing session on resource mobilization for Myanmar education sector partners. Provide and facilitate an online resource mobilization learning session for Myanmar partners. Develop a plan and facilitate a donor engagement session for identified donors and financing partners for collective Myanmar education sector financing.  
(d) Coordinate with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and where feasible find synergies on mobilizing resources for co-financing. Seek guidance on GPE efforts for resource mobilization, and coordinate on convergencies which would benefit from Myanmar analysis and advocacy. Identify synergies for GPE and Myanmar resource mobilization, i.e. by coordinating on local resource mobilization efforts where and when feasible.

TRAVEL

The Specialist will be required to travel on mission directly related to projects and implementation during the assignment. The Specialist should travel economy class and received DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations.  Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. 

Long Description

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

1.    Updated methodological approach and criteria for mapping by 15 June 2024.
2.    Draft plan on resource mobilization learning session and donor engagement session by 29 June 2024.
3.    Inception report on resource mobilization, including relevant messaging and advocacy talking points by 26 July 2024.
4.    Facilitate and provide report on resource mobilization learning session by 12 August 2024.
5.    Facilitate and provide report on donor engagement and resource mobilization session by 26 September 2024
6.    Final draft report on resource mobilization, including actionable recommendations, donor mapping, messaging and advocacy talking points, by 16 October 2024.
7.    Finalized version of final report by 30 October 2024.

Long Description
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 
•     An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in fields such as: education, economics, media, journalism, communication, development or related field; 
 

Work Experience 
•    At least five years of experience in the field of resource mobilization and/or education development, preferably relating to education planning and management, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Demonstrated experiences in offering similar services in resource mobilization;  
 

Skills/Competencies 
•     Excellent professional competencies in resource mobilization, advocacy, communication, and development cooperation; 
•    Good analytical and problem-solving skills; 
•    Technical capacity on donor mappings, facilitation of learning sessions, and development of advocacy plans and messaging; 
•    Strong technical skills regarding the projects related to education sector coordination  
•    Strong expertise and demonstrated experience in developing action plans and advocacy strategies aimed at mobilizing donor support for education development under emergency  
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with various stakeholders, including donor partners, education and development experts, and resource mobilization professionals; 
•    Excellent project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and manage resources effectively; 
•    Strong capacity and commitment for confidentiality, data security, do-no-harm, and conflict sensitive practices. 
 
Languages 
•     Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken).  
 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience 
•     Demonstrated experiences in successful resource mobilization in development and/or humanitarian context from bilateral donors and/or global funds;  
•    Demonstrated experience on resource mobilization through private fundraising and philanthropic initiatives; 
•    Experience in working with diverse partners from International Organizations such as UN agencies, to education CSOs, INGOs and Embassies, and global or regional funds; 
•    Familiar with Myanmar’s education landscape and context, including knowledge on the existing education programmes and projects in the country; 
•    Proven experience in donor and stakeholder relationship management;  
•    Experience in preparing publications and reports;  
•    Relevant experience in the Asia-Pacific at both regional and national levels; 
•    Experience in Myanmar context, or other/similar conflict and fragile country context. 
 
 Skills/Competencies 
•     Good leadership and teamwork with excellent communication skills. 
 

Languages 
•     Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish). 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in “Employment History Form / My Documents.” Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information. Upload all documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form.  

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.  
• Written technical and financial proposals (in English): 

•    Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 4, A4 pages), a workplan and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and  
•    The proposed daily or monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD. Travel expenses should be drawn up separately. 
•   Contact details including telephone numbers and email addresses of three referees.  

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.

Assessment
•    Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
•    Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
 

Note:   
•    Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process. 
•    Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. 

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.