JOB DETAILS
Type of contract : Consultant Contract
Level : Level 1 - Junior
Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station : New Delhi
Work location : Remote
Duration of contract : 5 months
Hiring open to : External candidates
Application deadline (Midnight IST Time) : 02/07/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW
Background
As the United Nations specialized agency for education, UNESCO leads global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education and supports Member States in promoting education for peace and sustainable development and in strengthening teacher policies for the professionalization and retention of qualified teachers.
The UNESCO Regional Office in South Asia is seeking to engage an international consultant to advance teacher development, competency-based education, and implementation of SDG 4.7 across South Asia, with a focus on Sri Lanka, Himachal Pradesh (India), and Bhutan.
Long Description
Scope of work and Key Tasks
This consultancy will support the UNESCO Regional Office in South Asia to:
- Support competency-based education reforms in Himachal Pradesh.
- Monitor UNESCO activities in support of Sri Lanka’s post cyclone Ditwah relief efforts.
- Advance the implementation of the 2023 UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development.
- Promote UNESCO’s work to develop the capacities of teachers, notably on Differentiated Learning.
- Ensure effective reporting, monitoring, and accountability of UNESCO’s education activities in South Asia.
ASSIGNMENTS
Under the overall authority of the Director, and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist and Chief of Education, of the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia in New Delhi, the consultant will:
A. For the competency-based education for 21st-century skills Project in Himachal Pradesh (India):
- Oversee the implementation of competency-based education activities for this one-year Project.
- Coordinate and manage the work of national and international experts to review policies, curricula, and teacher training programs and develop coherence framework that clarifies competency progression, assessment implications, and teacher professional expectations across levels.
- Support the development of a structured and scalable teacher training module, coordinate and facilitate recurring school-based pilot cycles, establish robust teacher observation and monitoring mechanisms, and oversee the production of evidence-based evaluation reports to inform project refinement and future scale-up.
- Manage administrative tasks, including preparing mission reports, establishing and tracking contracts, and monitoring budgets.
- Support preparation of the Project extension proposals.
Long Description
B. For the project: Addressing Students’ Learning Gaps to Ensure Quality Learning for All Children and Prevent Dropouts in Bhutan:
- Finalize the second year of this project with the Bhutanese Ministry of Education and Skills Development and the UNESCO Bangkok Regional Office.
- Contribute to the development of reports, maintain project documentation, and provide administrative support.
C. For the 2023 UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development:
- Support South Asian countries to implement the 2023 UNESCO Recommendation by developing project proposals that strengthens existing national efforts relating to SDG Target 4.7.
- Coordinate UNESCO New Delhi Office’s efforts with national, regional and global partners to integrate peace, human rights, and global citizenship education in national policy and teaching practices.
- Promote education’s role in addressing violent past and fostering inclusive societies.
D. For Sri Lanka Emergency Relief
- Coordinate with Sri Lankan national partners and UNCT Sri Lanka on UNESCO’s emergency response to cyclone Ditwah provided in January 2026, and for additional initiatives to restore safe learning environments to learners and teachers, including at the Higher Education level.
Long Description
E. For UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia’s reporting and monitoring work on Education:
- Update UNINFO system entries for UNESCO’s education activities in India.
- Support regular reporting to UNCT focal points in Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka and attend online UNCT Education Group meetings.
CONTRACT DURATION
Duration of Consultancy and Travel Requirements
Tentative Consultancy duration: August – December 2026, with possibility of extension. Travel requirements may include:
- Three (3) in-person coordination meetings with colleagues from the UNESCO Regional Office South Asia, and travel to New Delhi, India (3-5 working days each).
- To Himachal Pradesh for the implementation of the Competency-Based Education pillar of the HP Futures project.
Long Description
DELIVERABLES
- Resource materials for the CBE teacher training workshop.
- Workplan on the implementation of the 2nd year of the Differentiated Learning Project in Bhutan.
- Workplan on the implementation of 2023 UNESCO recommendation on Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.
- Report on pilot teacher training workshop on CBE.
- Progress report on UNESCO ED Emergency Support to Sri Lanka post Cyclone Ditwah disaster.
- Progress report on Differentiated Learning project activities.
- Evaluation report on the pilot teacher training workshop on CBE of the 1st cohort.
- Progress report on Bhutan Differentiated Learning Project.
- National Action Plan and Roadmap for Differentiated Learning teacher training.
- Progress report on HP FUTURES CBE implementation.
- Progress report on implementation of 2023 UNESCO recommendation on Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.
- Progress Report on pilot workshop on teacher training on CBE for the 2nd cohort.
- Final Report on UNESCO ED Emergency Support to Sri Lanka post Cyclone Ditwah disaster.
- 2026 Q2 UNINFO System updates.
Long Description
COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)
- Communication (C)
- Accountability (C)
- Innovation (C)
- Knowlegde 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
Advanced University degree (equivalent to Masters) in education or social sciences.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in education programme management, with at least 2 years at the international level.
Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Knowledge and understanding of education and socio-economic systems in a developing and Least Development Income Countries context, especially in South Asia.
- Good knowledge of issues related to Global Citizenship Education, and Teachers Development.
- Familiarity with UN System mechanics (UNDAF, UNCT and UN Joint Programming).
- Proven ability to draft clear, high-quality reports and proposals.
- Excellent coordination, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in a multicultural environment.
- Strong IT and results-based management skills.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Qualified candidates are requested to attach the below documents under the 'Employment History' attachment section:
- A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment (maximum one page).
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae stating details of educational qualifications and working experience, telephone number, email address and two (2) references.
- A technical proposal, indicating an approach/methodology to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO (maximum three pages).
- A financial proposal indicating (i) travel costs in USD (ii) the overall cost of the assignment in USD, expressed as an overall lump sum, assuming that the contract duration is 5 months, and (iii) breakdown of monthly cost in USD.
- Two (2) examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
Long Description
The consultant will be responsible for arranging their own logistics: office space, administrative and secretarial support, team members, telecommunications, travel arrangement, printing of documentation, etc. The costs of these logistics, including all research-related travel costs, will be included in the lump sum proposal.
The consultant must ensure that sources are properly cited by using the Harvard referencing style, following international academic standards and making sure that no copyrights are violated. Please refer to the UNESCO Style Manual for citation style, terminology and spelling, abbreviations, references, etc.
UNESCO will provide feedback throughout the process, in particular there will be feedback and revisions that are expected to be incorporated for all deliverables. The contractor and UNESCO will hold regular meetings to discuss progress and next steps.
In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the contractor is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.
The technical assets produced will be the property of UNESCO.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.
To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.
The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.
Proposals will be determined based on the best value for money approach. The weighted model takes account of two components, the individual consultant’s qualifications and the cost, by allocating a weight of 70% to the qualifications of the candidate, and 30% to the cost of the proposal. An assessment exercise may be used in the evaluation of candidates.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
- lndividuals 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.
- The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
- UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.
