OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Dhaka
Classification of duty station: Field Office
Standard Duration of Assignment : 8 Months
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Individual Consultant
Duration of contract : 8 Months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 17 May 2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Since introducing compulsory primary education in 1990, Bangladesh has improved access, enrolment, and gender parity through EFA and SDG 4 efforts. However, challenges remain, including high dropout rates, poor learning outcomes, and inequalityโespecially related to gender, geographic location and marginalized populations. BANBEIS (2023) reports a 32.85% secondary dropout rate (34.87% for girls). Only 50% of Grade 5 students meet Bangla proficiency, and 30% reach math standards (NSA, 2022). These gaps limit employment opportunities and economic mobility.
UNESCOโs 2024 report, The Price of Inaction: The Global Private, Fiscal, and Social Costs of Children and Youth Not Learning, highlights the economic costs of poor learning outcomes. In response, UNESCO is launching Education Matters: Championing the True Value of Investing in Education for a Stronger Bangladesh, a project promoting data-driven advocacy to strengthen policy and build a more equitable education system. UNESCO is also implementing the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) programme to support sector-wide reforms, skills development, and teacher quality, with a focus on gender equality, inclusion, and innovation.
Under the overall authority of the Head of Field Office, the overall supervision of the Head of Education, and the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer for Education, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the implementation of Education Matters and CapED in Bangladesh.
Long Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Education Matters Programme:
- Support the organization of meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders.
- Draft meeting and workshop materials including minutes and presentations.
- Provide editorial feedback on the Bangla translation of The Price of Inaction shared by Implementing Partner.
- Launch youth-driven advocacy campaigns by engaging youth-led organizations to amplify their voices through social media, public forums, and innovative ideas.
- Draft communication materials including social media posts in consultation with UNESCOโs Communication and Public Engagement team.
- Support coordination with education stakeholders including the Government of Bangladesh, DPs, UN AFPs, I/NGOs and youth-led organizations.
- Support preparation of project updates and donor reporting.
Long Description
Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Programme:
- Support the organization of meetings and workshops with internal and external stakeholders.
- Draft meeting and workshop materials including minutes and presentations.
- Draft communication materials including social media posts in consultation with UNESCOโs Communication and Public Engagement team.
- Support situation analysis of the teacher professional development sub-sector by collecting and reviewing secondary document and data.
- Support coordination with education stakeholders including the Government of Bangladesh, DPs, UN AFPs, I/NGOs and youth-led organizations.
- Support preparation of project updates and donor reporting.
Resource mobilization:
- Draft project concept notes for resource mobilization (topics to be identified in consultation with UNESCO)
Other tasks:
- Carry out additional programmatic, operational, and administrative tasks as delegated by the supervisor.
Long Description
Deliverables and Timeline
UNESCO shall make the payments to the Consultant upon submission and approval by UNESCO of the following outputs during the contract period:
Under the Education Matters initiative:
- Monthly progress reports will be submitted on: 22 May, 22 June, 22 July, 22 August, 22 September, 22 October, 22 November, and 22 December 2025.
- A social media campaign approach paper will be delivered in May 2025.
- Thirty social media posts, including text and graphics, will be developed and submitted by June 2025.
- Editorial feedback on the Bangla translation of The Price of Inaction report will be provided in July 2025.
- Reports of meetings and workshops will be submitted monthly, starting in May through December 2025.
- Editorial feedback on youth-driven advocacy campaign materials will be delivered in August 2025.
- A draft final programme report will be submitted in December 2025.
Under the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) programme:
- Monthly progress reports will be submitted from May to December 2025.
- Editorial feedback on the DSHE teachersโ strategy research report will be provided in September 2025.
- Reports of meetings and workshops will be shared monthly throughout the project period.
Under Resource Mobilization:
- Three draft project concept notes (topics to be identified in consultation with UNESCO) will be developed and submitted progressively by 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)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in the field of Education or Educational Research or Social Sciences or other related disciplines.
Work Experience
- Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in technical, logistical, administrative and management support for programme implementation, preferably with UN agencies or INGOs or government agencies.
Skills and competencies
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, including good drafting skills in English and Bangla.
- Good proficiency in Bangla typing, the use of MS Office and other tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Canva/Photoshop, Adobe, etc.)
- Knowledge of SPSS or STATA would be an added advantage.
- Good organizational, facilitation, and coordination skills to contextualize, develop, and deliver face-to-face, online, and/or orientation, and training on education and education issues.
- Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively with people of different cultural backgrounds.
- Flexibility to adjust work schedules, priorities, and capacity to multi-task and work effectively under pressure.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge of English and Bangla in speaking and writing.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters degree or above related to education or educational research or relevent field.
- Two years of experience and engagement in Education would be an asset.
- Knowledge of another UN language.
APPLICATION PROCESS, BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
Interested applicants will need to fill out the online application and submit their CV, preferably in the format of UNESCO employment history form.
The estimated monthly remuneration is between BDT 30,000 and 40,000 (Subject to negotiations) for a period of around eight months.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members 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. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Female applicants are particularly encouraged to apply!!! All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
- Excellent knowledge of English and Bangla in speaking and writing.
- Minimum 2 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in technical, logistical, administrative and management support for programme implementation, preferably with UN agencies or INGOs or government agencies.
- An advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in the field of Education or Educational Research or Social Sciences or other related disciplines.
- Three draft project concept notes (topics to be identified in consultation with UNESCO) will be developed and submitted progressively by December 2025.
- Carry out additional programmatic, operational, and administrative tasks as delegated by the supervisor.
- Draft project concept notes for resource mobilization (topics to be identified in consultation with UNESCO)