OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Bangkok
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 24-NOV-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
1. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok) covers Afghanistan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Singapore and Thailand. The office represents UNESCO in the United Nations regional architecture, namely the Regional Collaborative Platform for the Asia-Pacific, co-leading the SDG4 Asia-Pacific Learning and Education 2030+ Networking Group (LE2030+).
The Education Section at UNESCO Bangkok is dedicated to strengthening the capacities of the Member States to provide equitable, inclusive and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Through targeted support, UNESCO Bangkok assists Member States in designing, reviewing, and systematically monitoring their education sector policies and plans to develop transformative education systems aligned with SDG4. UNESCO work promotes inclusion and the right to education for all, with special attention to marginalized groups. UNESCO implements programmes on differentiated learning in some pilot countries in the region. Furthermore, UNESCO is co-chair and secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group under the LE2030+, leading the regional coordination of language-inclusive education among diverse stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region.
2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The assignment aims to contribute to UNESCOโs efforts in assisting Member States in improving policies, legislative measures or data systems that promote inclusion and the right to education particularly for marginalized populations and those affected by conflict and natural disasters, focusing also on teacher professionalization for advancement of the SDG4 agenda.
This consultancy will enhance rights-based approach in improving education systems in Member States.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisory arrangements:
Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok) and the guidance of the Chief of Education, the Junior Individual Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist managing the portfolio on inclusive and equitable learning and education. Specifically, the Individual Specialist will perform the following tasks:
Terms of Reference:
3.1 Addressing studentsโ learning gaps to ensure quality learning for all children and prevent drop-out in Asia-Pacific (Addressing learning gaps) project:
Support the implementation and monitoring of the project, including review of regional and national technical tools developed under the project such as the regional teacher training modules and online course and national teacher training curricula review and revision. Prepare inputs for project briefings and reports, including communication materials.3.2 Asia-Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG):
Assist in the organization of MLE WG activities, such as MLE WG meetings and celebration of the International Mother Language Day. Monitor developments in first language-based multilingual education in the region and provide targeted support to countries under UNESCO Bangkok. Drafting contents for the MLE WG website, including country profiles.3.3 Southeast Asian Roadmap on Multilingual Education
Provide technical guidance for implementation of the Roadmap in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat and SEAMEO Regional Center for the Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel in Language (SEAQIL). Support coordination among UNESCO field offices and MLE WG partners to support implementation and capacity building in Member States.3.4 Support the organization of a Regional Teacher Education Forum for Asia Pacific in consultation with LE2030+ as follow-up to the Santiago Consensus. This includes, but not limited to, support to develop concept note, agenda, list of participants, and supportive materials.
3.5 Support the coordination and facilitation of capacity development webinars, seminars, workshops, technical consultations, and other events related to inclusive and equitable learning, organized or supported by UNESCO Bangkok.
3.6 Support the resource mobilization for inclusive and equitable learning.
The Individual Specialist is expected to work in UNESCO office in Bangkok, Thailand. UNESCO will not cover travel cost to Bangkok.
In line with UNESCOโs overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the incumbent is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.
Expected Deliverables/Outputs:
4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES
From: 15 January 2026 to 14 December 2026
No. Deliverables Timeline 1 2026 MLE WG workplan Revised concept note for 2026 IMLD activity Updated concept notes, agenda and supportive documents for the Regional Teacher Forum Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps project 14 February 2026 2 Draft 2026 IMLD activities report Supportive materials for the Regional Teacher Forum Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities Meeting minutes for quarterly check-in with countries under addressing learning gaps project 14 March 2026 3 Draft concept note for regional MLE WG activity Draft report of the Regional Teacher Forum. Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities Draft communication material for addressing learning gaps project 14 April 2026 4 Draft regional MLE WG activity report Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities Revised communication material for addressing learning gaps project 14 May 2026
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS (CONTINUED):
5 12-month progress report on implementation of the Southeast Asian Roadmap on Multilingual Education Inputs to the 6-month progress report on addressing learning gaps project Meeting minutes for quarterly check-in with countries under addressing learning gaps project 14 June 2026 6 MLE WG meeting minutes Country profile on multilingual education in Southeast Asia โ 1 country Follow-up note on the Teacher Regional Forum and linkages with APMED VII Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities 14 July 2026 7 MLE campaign for International Day of the Worldโs Indigenous Peoples Country profile on multilingual education in Southeast Asia โ 1 country Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities 14 August 2026 8 Country profile on multilingual education in Southeast Asia โ 1 country Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities Meeting minutes for quarterly check-in with countries under addressing learning gaps project 14 September 2026
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS (CONTINUED): 9
Country profile on multilingual education in Southeast Asia โ 1 country Draft communication material for addressing learning gaps project Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities 14 October 2026 10 Draft concept note for 2027 IMLD activity Monthly progress report on addressing learning gaps activities Revised communication material for addressing learning gaps project Follow-up note on the Regional Teacher Forum and linkages with APMED VII 14 November 2026 11 MLE WG meeting minutes 2026 MLE WG activities report 2027 MLE WG workplan Inputs to the 12-month progress report on addressing learning gaps project Meeting minutes for quarterly check-in with countries under addressing learning gaps project 14 December 2026
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.
5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent and above) in the field of education, development studies, social sciences or related areas.
Work Experience
Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in the field of international development for education. Minimum 2 years of work experiences within the Asia-Pacific context.
Skills/Competencies
Proven conceptual and analytical skills and knowledge especially in inclusion and learning, multilingual education, and teacher development related topics. Proven ability to plan and organize effectively and manage multiple deadlines. Proven ability to work efficiently in a dynamic and multicultural team environment. Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills. Capacity to work independently and in a timely manner.
Languages
Excellent proficiency of English in writing and speaking.6. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Previous experience working with United Nations, international organizations or government agencies. Work experience as school teacher.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok office the specific requirements as below through careers.unesco.org:
Interested candidates should click on โApply Nowโ and upload the following documents as a single PDF document in place of the Employment History Form.
Before uploading the file, please order the documents in following order:
A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment. Written technical and financial proposals (in English): Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 800 words) The proposed monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in USD. Employment History (using UNESCO Form) CV
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 Organization the best value for money.
ASSESSMENT
Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered. Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Note: