Transforming Education Summit Pacific National Consultations

Objectives OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : [[Education]]

Duty Station: [[Apia]]

 

Classification of duty station: [[Field Office]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[4 Months]]

Job Family: [[Education]]

Type of contract : [[Non Staff]]

Duration of contract : [[4 Months]]

Recruitment open to : [[External Candidates]]

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : [[26/05/2022]]

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

BACKGROUND:

The UN Secretary General is convening a Transforming Education Summit (TES) in September 2022. The Summit is being convened in the context of two dramatic and deeply interconnected challenges to ensuring quality education and lifelong learning for all. First, our world is experiencing a global learning crisis that, in a highly unequal dynamic, is depriving hundreds of millions of children and young people of their right to quality education, leaving many of the education-related targets of the SDGs well off track. Second, the learning crisis is part of a broader challenge relating to the ability of conventional education systems to deliver the knowledge, skills and outlooks needed for children, young people and adults to excel in today’s world and contribute to equitable, sustainable, healthy and peaceful futures. The urgency of transforming education has become increasingly evident in the wake of the COVID-19 educational disruption, which is further exacerbating inequities in education. The Summit seeks to renew global commitment to education as a pre-eminent public good.

 

Achieving these objectives requires inclusive dialogues and meaningful engagement across the full set of stakeholders. Countries are encouraged to convene inclusive national consultations in advance of the September 2022 Transforming Education Summit, not only to develop national statements to feed into the Summit but also to take advantage of this opportunity to renew commitment to Education 2030 agenda and mobilize cross-sectoral stakeholders in support of education.

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance and support to Pacific states’ national consultation conveners, Ministries of Education and/or other government entities, to prepare and conduct national consultations in preparation for TES. The consultancy is required to provide timely technical assistance in close coordination with UNESCO Programme Specialist for Education and other personnel inside and outside of the office, including UNICEF, 4 UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices (UNRCOs) in Fiji, Federated State of Micronesia, Samoa and Papua New Guinea, as well as government counterparts from the Pacific states.

 

More specifically, the consultant will be assisting the TES national conveners and the UN Resident Coordinator Offices in logistical and technical organizing of the national consultations, including:

1. Stimulating inclusive, multi-stakeholder in-country dialogues on education;
2. Supporting to build a shared vision, by establishing synergies with previous, ongoing and upcoming capacity building, sector analysis and planning initiatives by different partners;
3. Offer clear recommendations for the national stakeholders – governments, civil society, private sector and other actors on priority actions for transforming education.

OUTPUTS: 

• Individual schedule and programme of the consultation in approximately 10 Pacific SIDS that are approved by the national convener or co-conveners if a consultation is jointly held by two or more Member States. This includes lists of approved and confirmed resource persons, moderators, and presenters per consultation.
• Final report with summary of approximately 10 national consultations outcomes, including national statements approved by the national convener or national co-conveners if a consultation is held by two or more Member States. 

 

TASKS RELATED TO THE ASSIGNMENT:

• Communicate with national conveners (Ministries of Education and/or other government entities) for technical assistance needs in preparation for national consultations and provide requested assistance;
• Liaise with 4 UN RCOs that will be facilitating logistical support to countries and coordination with other UN agencies, as well as UNICEF that will be co-providing technical support to countries along with UNESCO in providing technical and logistical support to concerned countries;
• Assist national conveners in planning and preparing for national consultations, including programmes and provide technical inputs, taking into account of previous, on-going and upcoming capacity building, sector analysis and planning support provided by various partners and building on to develop a shared vision;
• Participate virtually and contribute to national consultations as needed and feasible virtually;
• Assist countries in formulating national statements following the national consultations, as needed/requested;
• Provide other support as required by UNESCO and member states, related to TES and national consultations.

MODALITY

MODALITY

The assignment will be home-based, and in close consultation with UNESCO Pacific office and collaboration with UN RCOs, UNICEF and concerned governments, provide technical assistance and support to Pacific SIDS by: 

1. Preparing and conducting national consultations on education. Approximately 25 full working days total, at 50-70% full-time equivalent in June & July 2022. Specified outputs due 29 July, 2022.
2. Strategizing outcomes of national consultations, including national statements and developing next steps. Approximately 17 full working days total, at 30-50% full-time equivalent in August & September 2022. Final outputs and related documents due 15 September, 2022.

The duration of the assignment is from 1 June, 2022 to 30 September 2022. 

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) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in education, public administration, social sciences, or related field is required.

Work experience and qualifications:

• Progressively responsible experience in managing, organizing and coordinating national, regional or international multi-stakeholder meetings;
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in providing technical assistance and support to countries in education sector analysis, planning, program/project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent organization and coordination skills;
• Excellent knowledge and experience in supporting SDG4, Education 2030 agenda at the country level;
• Ability to deliver on time and on target with a careful attention to details under pressure;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect;
• Ability to connect and communicate virtually, using Zoom, MS Teams and other platforms;
• Consultant must be available and accommodate the Pacific states’ time zones and working hours convenient to these countries.

Languages (Essential): Oral and written fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of Office ICTs: Standard office hard and software, access and ability to use virtual meetings, including Zoom and MS Teams.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Knowledge and understanding of education in the Pacific is a plus.

Languages (Essential): Oral and written fluency in French and Pacific languages would be a plus.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply Online.

If a Call for Applications, submit an application with:

1. Technical proposal, including methodology
2. Financial proposal
3. Proposed work plan

Required validity of the application submitted: 90 days.

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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