Individual Consultant - Multilingual Education

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) : 5-MAY-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 education policies and practices that make learning irrelevant, 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’.   

 

In order to address inclusion in education issues, the Equitable and Inclusive Learning Team at UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok supports the promotion of inclusive, equitable and quality education for all levels of education in the region as a human right. UNESCO Bangkok, as the secretariat and a chair of Asia Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG) and the Disability-Inclusive Education in Asia-Pacific Working 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 Section for Education, and daily guidance of the Programme Specialist, Equitable and inclusive Learning Team, the Individual Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

 

1. Support the coordination and implementation of activities under the Asia-Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG);

1. Coordinate and assist in regional guidance on assessment of multilingual learners;
2. Create communications for MLE WG website, social media and newsletter and for First Language based MLE page under UNESCO website;
3. Coordinate and assist in the organization of MLE WG events such as MLE WG webinars, quarterly meetings, consultations, etc.;
4. Produce post-conference advocacy materials of the 7th International Conference on Language and Learning (Bangkok, October 2023);
5. Develop a regional roadmap on Bangkok Priorities for Action on First Language-based Multilingual Education

Long Description

2. Support the development of the equity and inclusion chapter of Asia Pacific Transforming Education planning guide and toolkit;

3. Assist in the resource mobilization for equity and inclusive learning, with a focus on multilingual education activities; 

4. Carry out additional tasks as required and assigned by the Supervisor and Section Chief or Office 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

• Draft concept note for MLE WG webinar on assessment strategies
• Draft concept note for consultations of Regional Roadmap on L1 MLE
• Draft a revised TOR for the MLE WG

31 May 2024 2

• Draft minutes of the MLE WG meeting
• Revised post-conference advocacy materials
• Draft quarterly update for MLE WG newsletter
• Draft equity and inclusion chapter of the TES planning guide and toolkit

30 June 2024 3

• Draft concept note for MLE WG webinar on teaching and learning strategies
• Draft concept note for guideline on large-scale assessments for multilingual learners
• Draft project proposals for multilingual education and/or equitable and inclusive learning
• Final TOR for the MLE WG

31 July 2024 4

• Revised concept note for guideline on large-scale assessments for multilingual learners
• Final post-conference advocacy materials
• Final equity and inclusion chapter of the TES planning guide and toolkit
• PowerPoint for equity and inclusion chapter of the TES planning guide and toolkit

31 August 2024

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS (CONTINUED):  

 

5

• Draft minutes of the MLE WG meeting
• Draft quarterly update for MLE WG newsletter
• Resource mapping for Regional Roadmap on L1 MLE

30 September 2024 6

• Revised Regional Roadmap on L1 MLE
• Draft report on consultations of Regional Roadmap on L1 MLE

31 October 2024 7

• Draft outline for guideline on large-scale assessments for multilingual learners
• Draft project proposal for multilingual education and/or equitable and inclusive learning

30 November 2024 8

• Draft minutes of the MLE WG meeting
• Final Regional Roadmap on L1 MLE
• Draft quarterly update for MLE WG newsletter
• Draft report on 2024 MLE WG activities

31 December 2024

 

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS (CONTINUED):  

9

• Draft concept note for MLE WG webinar on data collection, monitoring and evaluation
• Draft MLE WG workplan 2025
• Draft MLE WG strategy 2025-2030

31 January 2025 10

• Draft event report on the launch of the Regional Roadmap on L1 MLE
• Final op-ed piece for International Mother Language Day
• Draft workplan for the 8th International Conference on Language and Education and the 5th High-Level Policy Forum on Multilingual Education

28 February 2025 11

• Draft minutes of the MLE WG meeting
• Draft quarterly update for MLE WG newsletter
• Draft guideline on large-scale assessments for multilingual learners

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 2 years of relevant work experience in the area of multilingual education.

 

Skills/Competencies

• Proven conceptual and analytical skills especially in inclusive 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.

 

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 iqe.bgk@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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