Consultant - Transformative Education

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 8-OCT-2025

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

1. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

This consultancy is based in the Education Section of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and contributes to the Transformative Education programme, which prioritizes work on SDG Target 4.7, including Global Citizenship Education (GCED), Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and the Network on Education Quality Monitoring in the Asia-Pacific (NEQMAP). Guided by the 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development, activities are implemented in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), which supports coordination of the regional GCED network. A whole-institution approach is employed to advance Target 4.7 across Member States through technical assistance, capacity development, inclusive consultations with diverse stakeholders beyond the education sector, and the facilitation of knowledge exchange to address emerging challenges and drive educational transformation. Complementing these efforts, the network aims to strengthen learning assessments and improve learning outcomes while integrating 21st century skills in teaching and learning across the region.

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Within this framework, the consultant will be responsible for preparing and delivering a set of knowledge products—including analytical research pieces, case scenarios, recommendations, conference materials, presentations, reports, and communication packages—to support the workplan of the Global Citizenship Education Network for Asia and the Pacific. These deliverables will place particular emphasis on Global Citizenship Education (GCED), 21st-century skills, learning and competencies, and the Whole-School Approach to GCED.

The consultant is expected to apply strong analytical skills and knowledge of education policy and programme monitoring methods to ensure the quality and relevance of all outputs. The deliverables are intended to strengthen regional collaboration, enhance the visibility of GCED activities, and improve knowledge-sharing processes, while fostering synergies between the two regional networks on GCED and NEQMAP in advancing 21st-century skills.

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory arrangements:
The individual consultant will work under the overall authority of the Regional Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, guidance of the Deputy Director and Chief of Education Section, and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist in Transformative Education at UNESCO Bangkok.

Terms of Reference:

The individual consultant will produce a set of deliverables to support the Regional GCED Network, with a particular focus on providing analytical insights, communications materials, and knowledge products that strengthen regional collaboration, visibility, and knowledge-sharing. The consultant will also make recommendations for GCED Network priorities in 2026 and propose communications strategies to enhance outreach and impact.

Specifically, the individual consultant will undertake the following tasks:
3.1 Related to GCED Network member-led webinars (October 2025):
• Develop the webinar concept, agenda, and communications package for GCED Network member-led activities (4 days).
• Prepare an announcement article and a draft article of GCED regional network activities 2025 (3 days) (maximum 250 words each); while documenting two country experiences presented during GCED member-led webinars.
3.2 Related to GCED Network annual meetings featuring 21st century skills and learning in cooperation with APCEIU (November 2025):
• Prepare the concept notes, agenda, and run-of-show, and meetings packages for two meetings including a power point presentation on network activities, communications package and announcement article, incorporating recommendations for network engagement for end of year activities (8 days) to be held before 5 December 2025
• Prepare two brief articles (approximately 250 words) for the UNESCO Bangkok website, highlighting key messages from the annual meetings and propose priority follow-up actions (3 days).
3.3 Related to the Asia-Pacific GCED Network Annual Report (2025 activities):
• Prepare inputs to contribute to the 2025 annual report (maximum 7 pages plus annexes), in both electronic and hard copies, including insights, progress, achievements, results, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for opportunities for GCED Network and proposals for future improvements (10 days).
3.4 Related to GCED 21st century skills and learning (December 2025):
• Prepare a consolidated power point presentation on network members’ experiences, highlighting progress, key achievements and recommendations. (7 days)
3.5 Related to the thematic report on GCED Network activities:
• Prepare and submit an analytic thematic report (maximum 3 pages plus annexes) focusing on network activities and improved synergies with 21st century skills. (5 days)
3.6 Related to GCED Network activities for 2026:
• Prepare and submit a proposal package for GCED Network activities for 2026, including an evaluation of 2025 activities, and priorities identified during the 2025 annual meeting, to be carried out with APCIEU (10 days).

All drafts must be in line with UNESCO’s style guide (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000141812). The consultant must provide all references to data and other relevant material/resources used for argument presented as footnotes including links to the resources where possible. In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the individual specialist is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Location and Travel:

The consultant will be home-based and work remotely from any location. They must be available for virtual meetings with the UNESCO Bangkok team during official working hours in Bangkok, Thailand (UTC+7).

The consultant may be required to undertake official travel in relation to project implementation during the assignment period. All travel must be in economy class, and in such a case, the consultant will receive a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) at the standard UN rate. This rate should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC. DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out official assignments away from their usual place of residence or work.

The consultant is expected to arrange their own travel and will be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO’s rules and regulations. All travel costs (e.g., the cost of tickets, terminal fares, and DSA) must be agreed upon and fixed in advance between the consultant and UNESCO.

4. TIMETABLE AND DELIVERABLES

Timeframe

From: Mid of October-2025 To End of January-2026 (tentative)

1.1. GCED Network member-led webinar concept notes, agenda, and communications package

1.2. GCED Network activities announcement articles and draft article (max 250 words each)

1.3. GCED Network Meetings conference and communications packages

2.1. Two Network Meetings web articles (approx. 250 words) for UNESCO Bangkok website

2.2. Inputs for the Asia-Pacific GCED Network 2025 Annual Report (max 7 pages plus annexes) in electronic and hard copy

3.1. Power point presentation of key achievements of the network

3.2. Thematic report (plus annexes)

4.1. Proposal package for GCED Network activities for 2026 period (max 3 pages + annexes)

4.2. Evaluation report of 2025 activities

5. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Teamwork (C)Innovation (C)Results focus (C)Planning and organizing (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

6. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Work Experience:

Skills/Competencies:

Languages:

7. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

8. APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission of Application:

Interested individuals are invited to submit the application and requirements to the UNESCO Careers website at https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl.

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the completed form, please add the following documents as extra pages at the end of the Word file:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
• A list of past work or reports/publications written with hyperlinks to access such paper if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline
• Written technical and financial proposals (in English):

o Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment (maximum 2, A4 pages), a workplan and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and
o The proposed consultancy fee for the assignment should be quoted in USD, indicating either a daily or monthly rates or a lump sum amount. The total consultancy fees should include a detailed broken down based on level of effort, time-on-task, or per expected deliverable/output.

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 the best value for money.

Assessment

Note:

9. 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. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

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