UNESCO strives to promote education in Afghanistan as a fundamental human right while aiming to provide access to quality, relevant and inclusive education for all. UNESCO has over the years been implementing education programmes, and projects in Afghanistan. In alignment with UNESCO’s approved C/4 and C/5 and related country frameworks such as the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan, UNESCO Kabul Office seeks to accelerate the implementation of education programmes, and projects in response to the fast-changing operating contexts. In addition to its leading role in sector-wide coordination and strategic planning while ensuring learning continuity through community-based programmes, and alternative learning modalities in Afghanistan, the Office aims to enhance the knowledge base and knowledge sharing on several critical areas of the country’s education sector, including learning assessment, teacher training, TVET and higher education, inclusive education, curriculum and Islamic education among others.
Against this backdrop, UNESCO Kabul Office is seeking a national consultant to support its Inclusion, Quality of Education and Research (IQR) team within the Education Unit in providing quality assurance to research and assessment outputs, producing and disseminating knowledge products such as study reports, policy and research briefs, factsheets, infographics etc., and identifying knowledge gaps related to education in Afghanistan to formulate new research initiatives. Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the overall authority of the Officer-in-Charge of the UNESCO Office in Kabul, overall supervision of the Head of the Education Unit and direct supervision of the Project Officer (Inclusion, Quality of Education and Research), the consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:
Provide quality assurance to study reports and knowledge products of the Education Unit, with a focus on ensuring their technical accuracy, language appropriateness in line with Afghanistan’s current context, and gender and cultural sensitivity;
Conduct desk research, as required, to support the finalization of the Education Unit’s existing study reports, conceptualization on new research initiatives, and preparation of applications for research-related grants;
Support the direct supervisor in identifying knowledge gaps to be bridged through the formulation of new research initiatives;
Facilitate enumerator training workshops (as a local master trainer) and consultation meetings as part of UNESCO’s research studies and assessments in Afghanistan in collaboration with other IQR team members and international experts;
Ensure accuracy of translations across Dari, Pashto and English languages of research materials such as data collection tools, collected data records, etc.;
Provide management support, as required, to the direct supervisor, including reviewing ToRs for service providers, drafting concept notes for training workshops and meetings, providing inputs for relevant progress and donor reports;
Provide support to technical coordination with the de facto authorities on UNESCO Kabul’s studies and assessments in collaboration with other IQR team members;
Support knowledge management activities as required;
Support resource mobilization initiatives, including providing inputs to proposals/applications for research-related grants; and
Undertake any other tasks as deemed relevant by the direct supervisor and/or UNESCO Kabul senior management.
Duration and working modality:
The duration of this consultancy is 6 months, starting from January 2024. Any extension will be subject to organizational needs, availability of funding and satisfactory performance. This consultancy is office-based, i.e., the consultant is expected to report to office in accordance with UNESCO Kabul Office’s working time. The consultant will be provided with a laptop and necessary office equipment during the assignment
Application Process
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document). Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:
Up-to-date CV with contact details of at least 3 references;
Technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) including a precise description of the experience related to the terms of reference, as well as a brief explanation on the approach to employed to undertake this assignment effectively; and
Financial proposal specifying a proposed final and all-inclusive fee to undertake the assignment (including total fee and monthly rate).
Required Qualifications: Education:
Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the fields of Economics, Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related area.
Work experience:
At least five years of relevant work experience in research in social sectors, preferably relating to education and training, is required. Demonstrated experience working with the UN or international organizations is desirable.
Required Skills:
Good knowledge of research methods and strong analytical and research skills, including proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis with a proven track record of producing high-quality reports;
Good understanding of the education sector in Afghanistan;
Strong communication skills and ability to function well in a multi-cultural team and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of partners;
Ability to work under pressure, to manage heavy workloads and to meet tight deadlines, paying close attention to detail and quality of work;
Results-oriented personality with proven problem-solving skills;
High level of personal and professional integrity;
Strong IT skills including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools. Knowledge of statistical packages such as STATA, R and Python will be an asset; and
Fluency (spoken and written) in English and Dari and/or Pashto.
