Junior Consultant - Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) and UIL Learning Hub

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level : Level 1 - Junior

Hiring Unit : Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)

Duty Station : Hamburg

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 16/06/2026

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

OVERVIEW

Background and Institutional Context

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), based in Hamburg, Germany, is one of UNESCO’s specialized education institutes. UIL supports Member States in strengthening lifelong learning systems, promoting literacy and foundational skills, fostering inclusive learning opportunities, and advancing learning ecosystems. Within UNESCO’s mandate, UIL contributes to the realization of the right to education and lifelong learning through research, capacity development, networking, policy advice, and knowledge sharing, with particular attention to UNESCO’s Global Priorities of Africa and Gender Equality.

Despite significant progress in recent decades, an estimated 739 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, with women accounting for nearly two-thirds of this population. Addressing persistent literacy challenges remains critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

To accelerate progress, UNESCO launched the Global Alliance for Literacy within the Framework of Lifelong Learning (GAL) in 2016. GAL is a global partnership that brings together countries with significant literacy challenges, development partners, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and private-sector actors to advocate for literacy, strengthen international cooperation, and support innovative approaches to literacy learning. UIL serves as the Secretariat of GAL and coordinates its strategic activities, partnerships, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and annual meetings.

As part of its efforts to promote quality literacy provision and support literacy educators, UIL, through GAL and the UNESCO-led Global Education Coalition, has developed the Digital Competency for Literacy Educators programme. Initially developed with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and subsequently expanded with support from Huawei, the programme aims to strengthen the digital competencies of youth and adult literacy educators through multilingual online learning opportunities hosted on the UIL Learning Hub.

In 2026, UIL will focus on promoting the global uptake of these courses, supporting the development of the next GAL Action Plan (2026–2029), organizing the annual GAL meeting, and implementing a pilot project in collaboration with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in India. The Institute will also continue strengthening the UIL Learning Hub as a global platform for capacity development, knowledge exchange, and communities of practice in lifelong learning.

To support these activities, UIL is seeking a motivated Junior Consultant.

Long Description

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of UIL and the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Quality Learning Ecosystems programme, the consultant will contribute to the implementation of activities related to the Global Alliance for Literacy, the UIL Learning Hub, and associated projects.

1. Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL)

• Support the promotion and dissemination of the Digital Competency for Literacy Educators courses through GAL networks and partner organizations.
• Contribute to communication and outreach activities aimed at increasing course participation and visibility.
• Draft the final narrative report for the Huawei-supported Digital Competency for Literacy Educators project (2023–2026).
• Support consultations and stakeholder engagement processes related to the development of the new GAL Action Plan (2026–2029).
• Assist in preparing concept notes, agendas, background documents, and communication materials for GAL meetings and consultations.
• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of the GAL Annual Meeting and related events organized around International Literacy Day.

2. Digital Competency for Literacy Educators Course in India

• Liaise with UIL, NIOS, and relevant partners to facilitate the adaptation and integration of course materials into the UIL Learning Hub.
• Support the upload, review, quality assurance, and finalization of English and Hindi course versions.
• Coordinate review processes with NIOS and the UNESCO New Delhi Office and follow up on feedback received.
• Assist with preparations for the pilot implementation and documentation of lessons learned.
• Contribute to preparations for the national launch event in India.

Long Description

3. UIL Learning Hub

• Support the monitoring of Learning Hub activities, including learner enrolment, course participation, completion rates, and platform engagement.
• Assist in tracking technical updates and identifying user-support needs.
• Liaise with partner organizations involved in Learning Hub initiatives, including DVV International and consultants supporting the DELTA Framework.
• Contribute to the promotion and facilitation of online communities of practice hosted on the platform.
• Support communication, outreach, and user engagement activities related to Learning Hub courses and resources.

Long Description

4. Programme Reporting and Event Support

• Contribute to programme reports, briefing notes, presentations, and governing board documentation related to GAL, the UIL Learning Hub, and associated initiatives.
• Assist in organizing webinars, meetings, consultations, and knowledge-sharing events.
• Support documentation, follow-up actions, and dissemination of outcomes from programme activities.
• Undertake other related tasks as required by UIL within the scope of the assignment.

Deliverables

Deliverables and timeline

Date

Deliverables

20 July 2026

Final project report for the UIL-Huawei partnership

20 August 2026

Online consultation summary on the GAL action plan (Spanish version)

20 September 2026

GAL Annual Meeting concept note, agenda/programme (final)

20 October 2026

Curriculum globALE (Spanish course) launch webinar and registration report

20 November 2026

UIL Learning Hub course coordination, including SHNU 1 project courses (short report)

5 December 2026

UIL-NIOS courses in English and Hindi (short report on the course platforms and registrations)

UIL Governing Board report contributions or any UIL event organization when requested

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

• Advanced university degree in education, lifelong learning, adult learning and education, international development, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least two years of relevant professional experience in project coordination, programme implementation, literacy, lifelong learning, education, or international development.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing meetings, events, consultations, or capacity-development activities.
• Experience working with online learning platforms, digital learning initiatives, or communities of practice is desirable.
• Excellent drafting, reporting, and communication skills in English, especially drafting donor reports.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Experience working with UNESCO, United Nations agencies, or international organizations would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish languages.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit one consolidated pdf which includes the following information (please upload this pdf INSTEAD of the employment history form):

• A short description, one page only, explaining the approach proposed for completing the project assignments.

• A financial proposal, one page only, for delivering the activities described in the call;

• A short CV, focusing on previous relevant working experience, consultancy assignments and deliverables and relevant expertise to this project.

The proposal should not exceed 5 pages. Proposals missing any of the above will not be considered.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration.

Deadline of application: 16 June 2026 - 23:59 CEST (Paris local time)

Long Description

Nature of penalty clause in contract

If the documents are not submitted or confirmed by UIL staff according to the deliverables and timeframe stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.

UNESCO reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered by the deadlines.

Additional regulations

The UIL Style and Referencing Guide shall be applied precisely with careful attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, referencing and country names. The final drafts and reports should be submitted to a publishable standard.

The English language of the work shall be mother-tongue level; the style shall target an audience of national and international experts working in the field of teacher education. Acronyms can be used, but these should be spelled out when used for the first time and be accompanied by a table of acronyms. Footnotes should generally be avoided.

Particular attention should be given to the following.

1. Consistency of style, terminology, editing and presentation;

1. Document structure and hierarchy (headings, sub-headings, numbers);

1. Consistency of bibliography with references in the text; and

1. List of acronyms

All materials developed will remain copyright of UNESCO and UNESCO will be free to adapt and modify, reproduce or otherwise use them in whatsoever form or language in the future.

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.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

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.