International Consultant

1. Work Assignments:

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General, Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Regional Director of UNESCO Bangkok, and direct supervision from the Head of Myanmar Project Office, the consultant is responsible for providing programme management support for the UNESCO Yangon Project Office work on the education sectoral and UN coordination.

The consultant works within the framework of UNESCO's global development agenda such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Provide coordination support for UNESCO Myanmar Project Office work in the education coordination structures, working groups, donor relations, and expected work as the Secretariat function for the education sector, and coordination on Joint Response Framework efforts. This includes managing thematic analyses and evaluation work, coordinating with the Local Education Group and global funds, namely as the Coordinating Agency for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to provide coordination support with other funds and programming.
2. Provide coordinated support to Myanmar interagency work on SDG monitoring, and other UN thematic working groups when expected by the Supervisor. Liaise with UNESCO's partners and support the office in building new partnerships to expand and deliver on UNESCO Myanmar Project Office's education programming.
3. Provide research and knowledge management support for the Office work in education sector coordination, including donor engagement and in accordance with the Joint Response Framework and managing relevant reviews and thematic research projects. This includes integration of SDG 4 commitments into sector coordination, providing research initiatives, designing methodologies and compiling data for publications and documents. Develop Terms of Reference for experts and contractors, and contribute inputs and feedback to their work, to ensure quality delivery of outputs. Expand knowledge and awareness of local needs, and acquire notions of other UNESCO specialities represented in the Myanmar Project Office. Invest in personal, professional learning in respect of new trends, and maintenance of personal knowledge and expertise.
4. Manage UNESCO Myanmar Project Office's program work on sectoral coordination, namely the Education Sector Plan Development Grant (ESPDG), under the Supervision of the Head of Myanmar Project Office. Carry out project design, planning, monitoring and implementation on sectoral coordination and analytical work. Utilize UNESCO's relevant tools such as SISTER to provide data inputs on project progress and completion while identifying new program work and providing project and program design support to the UNESCO Office.
5. Carry out close coordination with the STEM Project Team to ensure Teacher Education (and other relevant thematic areas) are promoted in the education sector work, and to inform the STEM Project Team of relevant sectoral developments. Provide support to the STEM Project Team on coordination and partnership building when relevant, such as but limited to coordination through working groups and education sector structures.
6. Provide substantive, logistical and administrative support to joint projects, consultations, meetings and events under the guidance of the Supervisor.
7. Manage partnerships with consultants and contractors accordingly under the guidance of Head of Yangon Project Office.
8. Deliverables and Timeline:
9. Monthly progress reports on the achievements and challenges encountered in delivering the outputs related to the work assignment by the end of each month between Oct and Nov 2022;
10. A final report summarizing the activities carried out, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt over the contract period to be completed by end of Dec 2022; and
11. A mission report, indicating the purpose of each mission, main activities including what was done during the mission, persons met and main points discussed, outcomes of the mission and follow up action points, is required to be submitted within two weeks after the end of each mission.
12. Location and travel:
13. The Individual Specialist will be based in UNESCO Myanmar Project Office in Yangon.
14. The Individual Specialist will be provided with one way economy class air ticket between his/her place of origin and the duty station Yangon, Myanmar, in addition to the terminal fares as per UNESCO rules and regulations.
15. During the contract period, the Individual Specialist's necessary visa and stay permit fees will be reimbursed by UNESCO.
16. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission.
17. Fees:

• Middle level international consultant;
• The lump sum is established on the basis of a daily or monthly rate based on UNESCO rules and regulations on Level of Assignment and Remuneration and depending on qualifications; and
• Travel-related costs for missions undertaken within the context of the assignment will be reimbursed as per UNESCO rules and regulations.

1. Required Qualifications for Specialized Knowledge/Experience: Education and experience:

• At least Master’s degree with specialization in education, economics, management studies, international development or a related field;
• At least five years of experience in the field of education development, preferably relating to education planning and management, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Previous experience in teacher education or higher education reforms, preferably in the developing country contexts, would be desirable; and
• Good knowledge of the Myanmar country context would be desirable.

Skills and competencies:

• Proven research and analytical skills; excellent organizational skills; proficiency in using common office ICT productivity tools; ability to work independently on delegated tasks and collaboratively in a multi- cultural environment; excellent communication skills; and excellent writing and speaking skills in English.

How to apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit in writing to the UNESCO Myanmar Project Office:

1. A cover letter (in English) and clearly referencing “International Consultant”, indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment, and the methodology and approach(es) to be adopted to carry out the assignment;
2. The expected consultancy fee;
3. An up-to-date CV, with contact details including telephone numbers and email address;
4. The contact details of three referees; and
5. A writing sample.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation best value for money.

Your application should reach yangon@unesco.org by email (please mention “International Consultant” in email subject line) no later than 17:00 Hours Yangon time, GMT +6:30, on 6 Sept 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.