OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Dakar
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 30-SEP-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Background
UNESCO and partners have been implementing the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) Programme in partnership with ministries of education and health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with the support of the governments of Sweden, Ireland, Norway, and France since 2018. The Programme envisions a SSA whose children, adolescents, and young people are healthy, educated, and empowered to thrive and reach their full potential to contribute to the development of their community, country, and region. It contributes to reduction in new HIV infections, early and unintended pregnancy (EUP), gender-based violence (GBV), and child marriage, and increased school completion rates at all levels. Initially conceived as a five-year programme, the first phase of the O3Programme concluded in June 2023 having reached 34 million learners and nearly half a million teachers across SSA. Now in its second phase (2023โ2027) the O3 Programme continues to be the largest sexuality education initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting 35 countries. Building on the successes of Phase I, the programme empowers adolescents and young people with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to live healthy lives, stay in school, and thrive. Phase II deepens support to governments to deliver quality, rights-based, gender-transformative health and wellbeing education, while also leveraging digital innovation, creating safe and secure school and community environments, and strengthening accountability and data systems to ensure that no one is left behind. The Programme relies on a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan, with appropriate tools developed and capacity building of staff to ensure fidelity and effective M&E. Plans are presently underway for the mid-term evaluation of Phase 2 of the O3 programme across SSA.
In West and Central Africa, the O3 Programme supports the implementation of the West and Central Africa Commitment for Educated, healthy and Thriving Adolescents and Young People (WCA Commitment). Based on national consultations and regional data, this commitment tackles EUP, child marriage, STI and HIV infections, psychoactive substance use, sexual and gender-based violence, and gender disparities in education. It envisions empowered young people actively contributing to their families, communities and nations. The Commitment sets out nine targets: four impact targets to be achieved by 2032, focusing on reducing EUPs and gender disparities in education, and eliminating GBV and new HIV infections among adolescents and young people, as well as five process targets to be achieved by 2027, focusing on policy reform, resource allocation and youth-friendly health service delivery. At a meeting in Lomรฉ, Togo in 2025, representatives of ministries of education and health of the 25 countries covered by the Commitment validated an accountability framework to monitor progress through defined indicators, data sources and measurement protocols.
Long Description
Scope of Work
Under the general authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education (ADG/ED), the functional authority of the Director of UNESCO's Multisectoral Regional Office in Dakar and the Head of the Education Sector for West Africa, and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer for Education for Health and Well-Being for West and Central Africa, and in close collaboration with the Regional Health Education team in East and Southern Africa and the Section for Health and Education at UNESCO HQs, the consultant will support the monitoring and evaluation of Phase 2 of the O3 Programme. Specifically, the Consultant will undertake the following:
Contribute to the operationalisation of the WCA Commitment accountability framework and compilation of baseline data for participating countries. Support the development of qualitative methods and tools for monitoring progress on key outcomes of the O3 programme. Support activities related to research and evaluation, including, inter alia, the mid-term evaluation of the O3 Programme and the implementation of Global school-based surveys (GSHS and GSHPPS) in WCA. Contribute to the development of routine programme reports and learning products related to education for health and wellbeing in WCA Provide M&E-related technical support and capacity building to UNESCO field staff and partners. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts or other tasks as required.
Long Description
Expected deliverables and consultancy period
The duration of this full-time consultancy will be eleven (11) months from the time of contracting, starting as soon as possible. The Consultant will undertake the activities in accordance with the scope of work and submit monthly deliverables as agreed with UNESCO.
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
Masterโs degree in any of the following fields: Education, Public health, Demography, Development Studies, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Implementation Science, Statistics or other related studies. Minimum four yearsโ experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation in education or health sector. At least two yearsโ experience of work in sub-Saharan Africa or with entities based in sub-Saharan Africa. Track record in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks and plans for large-scale programmes, supported by three (3) examples/references. Experience in collecting and analysing qualitative data, and designing qualitative approaches for progress monitoring. Experience in manipulating and analysing large datasets from population-based surveys to extract relevant information, supported by three (3) examples/references. Demonstrable skills in communicating data and producing knowledge products such as case studies, briefs, success stories, white papers, etc. using programme data. Full working proficiency in either English or French (oral and written) and good knowledge in the other language. Strong analytical skills.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Previous experience working with UN agencies on similar assignments. Capabilities in data visualisation and creation of dashboards. A PhD in any of the following fields: Education, Public health, Demography, Development Studies, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Implementation Science, Statistics or other related studies. Experience with results-based management and adaptive management.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 an 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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