Individual Consultant – Inclusive foundational learning

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Bangkok

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) : 22-APR-2024

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

 

Under the commitment to ensure ‘inclusive and equitable quality education’ and promote ‘lifelong learning for all’ as part of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the Asia-Pacific region has made a significant progress in terms of both access and quality of education. However, millions of children from disadvantaged groups are kept out or pushed out of education systems through decisions leading to exclusion from curricula, irrelevant learning objectives, stereotyping in textbooks, discrimination in resource allocation and assessments, tolerance of violence and neglect of needs. In addition, the prolonged school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing inequalities and stalled global progress to meet the promise of ‘leave no one behind’.   

 

UNESCO Bangkok, as a chair of Asia Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG) and the Disability-Inclusive Education in Asia-Pacific Working Group under the Learning and Education 2030+ Networking Group, has worked collaboratively with partners to raise awareness and remove persistent inequalities in the educational attainment of ethnolinguistic minorities and children with disabilities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

WORK ASSIGNMENT

 

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Chief of Education Section, the Individual Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

 

1. Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of current and future extra-budgetary projects in ECCE and Equity and Inclusion in Education, including but not limited to: (1) “Addressing students’ learning gaps to ensure quality learning for all children and prevent drop-out in Asia-Pacific” funded by Korean government; (2) “Building resilience through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Teacher capacity building for sustainable transformation of education systems” funded by Japanese government
2. Lead regional programme and activities related to early childhood care and education (ECCE): SDG 4.2
3. Provide technical support to the inclusive and equitable learning team: serve as Secretary of two sub-working groups under the Learning and Education 2030+ Networking Group: (1) Asia Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG) and (2) Disability-Inclusive Education in Asia-Pacific Working Group (DIE WG); and serve as UNESCO Bangkok focal point for UN Regional Disability Working Group, UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (DIS) and Indigenous Peoples Education and UNESCO Afghanistan Core Coordination Team
4. Perform additional tasks as required and assigned by UNESCO Bangkok Director

 

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Expected Deliverables/Outputs:

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS: 

 

 
Deliverables
Deadline for Submission
1

• TOR for consultancy to conduct a rapid needs assessment about the training needs in Bhutan and Lao PDR in assessment for learning and differentiated learning pedagogies (KFIT)
• Adaptation guideline for the Asia-Pacific early childhood care and education: teacher training handbook for social and emotional learning (JFIT)
• Report on UNESCO ECCE side event at Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood conference
• DIE WG minutes

31 May 2024
2

• KFIT project progress report
• Learning passport – teacher module (DIE WG)
• DIE WG, MLE WG and/or ECCE’s plan for ASEAN+3 Learning City Conference

30 June 2024
3

• Design and participate in co-development workshop in Bhutan – Draft concept note and agenda (KFIT)
• Draft regional roadmap for the Bangkok priorities for action on MLE

31 July 2024
4

• Design and participate in co-development workshop in Lao PDR – Draft concept note and agenda (KFIT project)
• Report on UNESCO intervention on ECCE for World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) World Assembly
• Draft concept note and agenda for disability-inclusive data workshop in Lao PDR
• DIE WG minutes

31 August 2024

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS (CONTINUED):  

 

5

• First draft of generic guide for teachers on differentiated learning pedagogy reviewed (KFIT)
• Draft PPTs for disability-inclusive data workshop in Lao PDR
• DIE WG and/or MLE WG’s plan for ASEAN+3 Learning City Conference (Bangkok, October 2024)

30 September 2024
6

• Check-in meetings organized and led with Bhutan and Lao PDR on the capacity building activity to develop a teacher guide on differentiated learning pedagogy – agendas (KFIT)
• Final regional roadmap for the Bangkok priorities for action (MLE WG)

31 October 2024
7

• Draft national teacher guide on differentiated learning pedagogy for Bhutan and Lao PDR reviewed (KFIT)
• DIE AP WG minutes

30 November 2024
8

• KFIT project progress report
• Draft national SEL handbook for Cambodia, Viet Nam, Fiji and Vanuatu reviewed (JFIT)

31 December 2024

 

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS (CONTINUED):  

9

• Design national SEL ToT – draft concept note and workshop agenda (JFIT)
• Final guide for teachers on differentiated learning pedagogy published (KFIT)
• Draft 2025 workplan for MLE WG
• Draft 2025 workplan for DIE AP WG

31 January 2025
10

• Draft PPTs for national SEL ToT workshop (JFIT)
• JFIT Project Progress report
• TOR for consultancy to adapt the two guides on diagnostic assessment and differentiated learning pedagogies into training modules for in-service teacher training (KFIT)
• DIE AP WG minutes

28 February 2025
11

• National SEL TOT workshop organized in Cambodia and Fiji (JFIT)

31 March 2025

 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

• Master’s degree in the field of social sciences, international studies, education, or related fields.

 

Work Experience

• At least 5-7 years of relevant work experience in the area of equity and inclusion in education.

 

Skills/Competencies

• Proven conceptual and analytical skills especially in equity and inclusion in education
• Good research skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and maintain effective team cooperation
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and software
• Capacity to work independently and in a timely manner

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)

 

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken) 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

• Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific context
• Previous experience working with United Nations, international organizations or government agencies is an advantage

APPLICATION PROCESS

 

Interested individuals are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok office the specific requirements as below through careers.unesco.org 

 

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download 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:

• A brief motivation letter
• A brief proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment and the proposed fee
• An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work
• A list of past work or reports/publications written with hyperlinks to access such paper if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline.

 

The complete application shall be submitted on or before 22 April 2024, midnight, Bangkok time (GMT+7).

 

NOTE

 

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

 

• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at [email protected] 

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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