The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitalization and digital adoption in almost all aspects of society, whether government, businesses, health, or education. Digital transformation in education is at the forefront of many countries’ priorities in the Asia-Pacific region. While most governments in the region are clear about the urgency and the imperative of digital transformation in education, they are less so when defining their strategies to put it into practice.
To respond to the call for digital transformation, teacher education institutions need to upgrade their outdated curriculum and teach new pedagogies on digital technologies. Teacher educators also need training if they are expected to produce future teachers who can innovate using digital technology. However, the capacity of teacher educators varies widely across teacher education institutions due to limited opportunities and attention given to them. To tap the tremendous transformative potential of digital technologies in Thailand and the Philippines, UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok has initiated the project “Preparing teachers who can innovate using digital technology.” The project outputs will enhance teacher educators' readiness and accelerate the digital transformation in education across different types and levels of learning, including school education, TVET, and higher education in Asia and the Pacific.
We seek a full-time international consultant to support the project coordination and management. The contracted consultant shall support a variety of tasks related to the project and the overall management of the project, including research, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E).
Work assignment:
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok, the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Chief of the Section for Educational Innovation and Skills Development (EISD), and daily guidance of the Team Leader of ICT in Education, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
Support the coordination and implementation of the project activities:
Assist in internal and external communications with multiple stakeholders to follow up on project progress.
Coordinate meeting schedules and draft meeting minutes in an accurate, organized, and concise.
Coordinate preparation and compilation of project documents, concept notes, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and reports to ensure effective document management.
Liaise with project implementation partners and teacher education institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of various project activities, including organizing conferences, webinars, online forums, training workshops, publications, and other project activities.
Assist in contracting processes, preparation of documents related to partner engagement, and procurement processes of logistic service, including draft of Terms of Reference, vendor form, and contracts.
Review, verify, and reconcile data and reports related to the project to ensure accuracy and conformity with UNESCO policies and procedures.
Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the project:
Follow up on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) indicators, targets, and milestones of the project, preparation of notes and reports for internal evaluation of the project.
Conduct data collection and analysis related to the project. Maintain the up-to-date project repository and ensure the accuracy of data and documents.
Prepare budget monitoring and delivery information and communicate with UNESCO HQ and donor on financial matters as required.
Coordinate for timely updates and maintain the project data in corporate systems and related tools
Prepare various presentations and background information on various project-related matters.
Prepare budget revisions and ensure compliance with donor requirements regarding budgeting and reporting.
Track, monitor, and report on using allocated resources and cost-sharing funds, if any.
Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge management:
Conduct research to support the project knowledge building.
Draft reports synthesizing lessons learned and good practices of project-related matters.
Review and provide technical inputs to develop training, learning materials, and activities to support the implementation partners of the project.
Manage project-related networks and platforms and provide inputs as needed and
Carry out additional tasks as required and assigned by the Section Chief or the Office Director.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
Master’s degree in education, social sciences, international studies, or related fields.
Work Experience:
Minimum two years of relevant professional work experience in national or international organizations, academic or research institutions.
Experience in the Asia-Pacific context and demonstrated understanding of education systems in this region.
Previous exposure to diverse linguistic and cultural contexts across multiple countries concurrently, involving coordination with partners in the operational setting.
Skills:
Proven conceptual and analytical skills.
Proven research skills.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and software
Capacity to work independently and promptly.
Ability to work in a multicultural environment and maintain effective team cooperation.
Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments, and living conditions.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English written and spoken
Desirable Qualifications:
Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific context
Previous experience working with the United Nations, international organizations, or government agencies is an advantage.
