OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Hamburg
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 10 June 2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Inclusive lifelong learning systems and policy development
Background and Context
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) works to support lifelong learning systems and policy development at the national and local level through tailored capacity-building activities.
Recognition, Validation and Accreditation (RVA) of non-formal and informal learning is one of the pillars of any lifelong learning policy. Consequently, many countries have developed a national system for RVA. UIL considers it of the utmost importance to use RVA for the integration of outcomes of non-formal and informal learning into national, regional and global qualifications frameworks.
This year, UIL will implement another edition of its hybrid capacity-building workshop on lifelong learning policy development at the national level, together with Shanghai Open University (SOU), with a focus on flexible learning pathways and Recognition, Validation and Accreditation (RVA). It will also conduct follow-up activities with countries who have previously engaged in the workshop series, with a focus on these topics.
In addition, UIL has been conducting a research project on RVA for migrants and refugees. A second edition of UILโs โSkillsets in Transitโ online course on this topic โ targeting key stakeholders in Africa and Asia โ will be launched this year.
At the local level, UIL is working with UNESCO Learning Cities to support the development, enhancement and implementation of local lifelong learning policies and strategies. This year, its capacity-building activities for cities are principally focusing on fostering Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and lifelong learning for climate action, in the framework of supporting the implementation of the Jubail Commitment to Climate Action in Learning Cities, adopted at the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6).
Activities for the second half of 2025 will include co-coordinating the networkโs Working Group on ESD; finalizing and disseminating the Greening Communities Guide being developed in the context of the Greening Education Partnership to support learning cities and others in fostering lifelong learning for climate action and implementing follow-up activities related to the engagement of learning city representatives with the Spanish edition of an online learning course on ESD in Learning Cities.
Long Description
Purpose of the consultancy
This consultancy will support UIL in advancing its work on lifelong learning policies and practices at both national and local levels. Through targeted capacity-building and follow-up activities, a junior consultant is sought to contribute to the updating, implementation and evaluation of training programmes, including the โEducation for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Learning Citiesโ online course (Spanish edition), the hybrid UIL-SOU workshop series and โSkillsets in Transitโ RVA course.
The consultant will also play a key role in facilitating national and regional engagement, providing technical feedback on country outputs, and supporting the dissemination of key resources such as the Greening Communities Guide. Further responsibilities include coordinating the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) ESD Working Group. Overall, this consultancy will contribute to UILโs strategic objectives of fostering inclusive and sustainable lifelong learning systems worldwide.
Long Description
Main duties and responsibilities
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and the team leader of the Skills Throughout Life Team, the individual consultant will undertake the following main responsibilities:
1. Evaluate ESD in Learning Cities Online Course (Spanish edition)
2. Provide Technical Feedback to UIL-SOU Workshop Countries
Review and comment on national workshop outputs. Support preparations for a regional follow-up meeting in Southeast Asia.3. Support Online Component of UIL-SOU Follow-up Workshop
Design and facilitate online sessions aligned with workshop objectives. Coordinate/update virtual activities and ensure participant engagement.Long Description
Deliverables and timeline
The consultancy is expected to last 6 months, commencing on 1 July 2025 and concluding on 31 December 2025. The consultant is required to work remotely and must submit editable versions of all deliverables in English (and, in some cases, Spanish) within the contract period. The specified dates for the deliverables indicated below are subject to revision.
List of deliverables
Deliverable 1: ESD in learning cities online course evaluation activities (peer review of final assignments + certification assessment + evaluation)
Deadline: 31 July 2025
Deliverable 2: Technical feedback during follow-up with UIL-SOU workshop countries (on output documents + preparations for a regional follow-up meeting)
Deadline: 30 August 2025
Deliverable 3: Development/facilitation of UIL-SOU follow-up workshop online component
Deadline: 30 September 2025
Deliverable 4: Development/facilitation of UIL-SOU follow-up workshop in-person component + ESD in Learning Cities follow-up workshop
Deadline: 31 October 2025
Deliverable 5: Finalization and dissemination of the GEP Greening Communities Guide + Co-coordination of GNLC ESD Working Group
Deadline: 30 November 2025
Deliverable 6: Development and implementation of RVA โSkillsets in Transitโ online course + development/finalization of RVA publications
Deadline: mid December 2025
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)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (masters) in education, social sciences, development studies, global area/regional studies or any other related fields.Work experience
At least 2 years of relevant work experience in the field of capacity building activities. Previous work experience in designing online and in-person training for policymakers working in the field of lifelong learning. Familiarity with ESD and RVA in different countries. At least 2 years of relevant experience working with an international city network. Proven experience in collaborating on international projects in the field of education.Skills
Excellent drafting and communication skills. Excellent facilitation and instructional design skills. Excellent independent working skills. Excellent analytical skills.Language
Fluency in English (both written and spoken). Fluency in Spanish (both written and spoken).The Application Process
Content of the application
Interested candidates will need to submit one consolidated PDF document which includes the following information:
A short description, one page only, explaining the approach proposed for completing this project. 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.
Selection process
A shortlist of the three most suitable applicants will be drawn up, and the selected candidates will be contacted by the Head of the Skills Throughout Life Team. The successful candidate will be selected and offered a contract based on the application review.