UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF’s mandate, mission and unique attributes provide a strategic advantage in promoting and supporting transformational change to achieve sustainable coverage at scale. After more than 45 years in Lao PDR, UNICEF Lao PDR UNICEF is one of the longest-serving international organizations in the country plays an important role in supporting the government, advocating for reform and leading coordination to scale-up results.

Lao PDR has been facing major economic hardships, mainly due to protracted macroeconomic instability, and social sectors and services are severely affected. In 2024, the education budget was one of the lowest in recent years, with only 9.12% of the total government budget and 1.43% of GDP allocated to Education, among the lowest in the world and in ASEAN countries. The negative impact of the economic hardships is clearly reflected in the recent alarming declines in school enrolment rates at all levels, and a significant increase in the number of out-of-school population both at the primary level (13.8% out-of-school) and secondary level (29.1% out-of-school). This in turn has led to fuelling the already-existing severe learning crisis and exacerbating inequalities in Lao PDR where children, particularly the most disadvantaged, including non-Lao speakers, lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills (only 11% [reading] and 32% [mathematics] of Grade 5 students have the minimum proficiency in 2024). Additionally, many adolescents are left behind lacking essential skills for work and life, including digital skills, green skills and 21st century skills.

This UNV assignment is to support the planning and implementation of the UNICEF Lao PDR’s Education Programme to tackle those key challenges, as part of the UNICEF Country Programme 2022-2026 and the transition to the new Country Programme 2027-2031. The Country Programme 2022-2026 aims that by 2026, more children, including adolescents, especially the most disadvantaged, are better prepared for school and have improved learning outcomes and skills to achieve their full potential. UNICEF’s support covers Early Childhood Development (ECD)/Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary Education and Secondary Education. UNICEF works for both upstream work (policies, curriculum, standards, system strengthening and evidence generation, etc) as well as the downstream work at provincial, district, school and community levels (teachers and education workforce capacity development, service delivery, demand creation and community empowerment etc,), strengthening the linkages at all levels and translating policies into actions. UNICEF promotes cross-sectoral approach and thereby support children and adolescents’ learning, upskilling and development holistically.

UNICEF works with the Lao Government, particularly the MoES and in coordination with other line Ministries and government institutions, both at the national and sub-national (provincial and district) levels. UNICEF also engages various partners, including other UN agencies and bilateral and multilateral organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), academia and private sectors. On the ground, UNICEF partners with mass organizations (such as Lao Women’s Union and Lao Youth Union) and reaches out to schools and communities, including those in remote and most disadvantaged. The direct beneficiaries include school-aged children (ECE, primary and secondary education), their teachers, principals, education administrators, parents and caregivers.

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Education, UNICEF Lao PDR, the UN Volunteer will contribute his/her technical expertise to support the planning, implementation and coordination of the UNICEF’s Education Programme that enhances the capacity of the government, implementing partners and other duty bearers to deliver and fulfill the rights of children and adolescents, especially in Foundational Learning and Skills Development area. This would also include engagement and empowerment of children and adolescents as well as parents and communities. In doing so, the UN Volunteer will work as part the Education team and in close coordination with other sections of UNICEF Lao PDR, in liaise with the government and other stakeholders.

More specifically, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following key tasks (not limited to):

Foundational Learning and Skills Development for Children and Adolescents –
Provide technical and operational support to the Education Programme, especially in the areas of Foundational Learning and Skills Development. The work will cover both national and system levels as well as sub-national and school-community levels. In coordination with the relevant UNICEF staff (both education and other relevant sectors) and the implementing partners, provide support in the planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring and reporting of the key programme activities. This would involve cross-sectoral work as well as promoting and integrating innovations (including technologies/digital) to advance learning outcomes and skills development, including enhancing multiple pathways for children and adolescents. The UN Volunteer will contribute to capacity building of teachers and school leaderships, accelerating foundational learning and school drop-out prevention, building critical digital and 21st-century skills, along with strengthening education systems for impactful, sustainable results.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) & Knowledge Management in Education -
In liaison with the UNICEF Lao PDR Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) team, contribute to data and evidence generation and use, as well as knowledge management in the education sector. This would include sector analysis, education research, studies and evaluations as well as required reporting pertaining to the UNICEF Education programme. This will also entail reporting, M&E and documentation of good practices and lessons learned to advance evidence-based, result-oriented sector planning and management, advocacy and the associated system and capacity building of the education sector.

Education Sector Coordination and Multi-Sectoral Stakeholder Partnerships in Education -
In close coordination with the Education and Sports Sector Working Group (ESSWG) and UN Education working group, contribute to enhancing education sector coordination as well as collaboration of key stakeholders across relevant governments, development partners and private sectors. Promote learning exchange on proven interventions and innovations inside and outside Lao PDR. Support expansion of partnerships, including Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), South-South cooperation and innovative finance for digital solutions. Support communication, documentation and evaluation of the impact of investment in schools and communities for evidence-based advocacy, equity-focused resource mobilization and donor reporting purposes.

Other Tasks - Contribute to other Programme related tasks as appropriate, including (not limited to) inputs to annual planning and reviews, development of funding proposals and donor visits, etc.