OVERVIEW

Position : Education Consultant

Type of Contract : Non-Staff

Duty Station : Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Duration of contract : 8 months (tentatively 12 Sept 2024-11 May 2025)

Recruitment open to : Cambodian National

Application Deadline : 2 September 2024

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and rationale
Funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative (CSESI) seeks to enhance countries’ capacities to mainstream climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability into education sector plans, budgets and strategies as well as to enhance education ministry capacity for cross-sectoral coordination on climate and environment-related policy and programming. Cambodia is one of the priority countries for the Initiative. The CSESI Initiative in Cambodia will be structured around six prioritised components outlined below, which have been developed by CSESI partners (Save the Children, UNESCO-ESD and UNESCO-IIEP) based on consultations with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) and its partners in Cambodia.

Summary of the prioritised components

1. Evidence-based policies and plans
2. Cross-sector coordination and internal coordination
3. Access to climate finance
4. Climate data and evidence for education planning and policies
5. School safety and educational continuity
6. Curricula, pedagogy, and teacher training

Objectives
The Education Consultant will support the implementation of the UNESCO and UNESCO-IIEP areas of work for this project, including Components 1 Evidence-based policies and plans, Component 4, Climate data and evidence for education planning and policies, and Component 6, Curricula, pedagogy, and teacher training.

Long Description

Main responsibilities
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, the direct supervision of the Chief of the UNESCO Phnom Penh Education Unit, and under the guidance from the UNESCO-IIEP and UNESCO ESD Programme Specialists assigned to this project, the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Lead overall coordination and support the implementation of the CSESI UNESCO-led components in Cambodia. Support the strategic planning, budgeting and implementation of the activities under UNESCO-led components to be executed by the UNESCO Phnom Penh office and coordinate closely with national CSESI partner (Save the Children), the MoEYS, country partners, consultants and service providers, to ensure achievement of project objectives and outcomes, including:
a. Work closely with counterparts in relevant MoEYS Technical Departments and Partners; liaise between departments as necessary and facilitate communication between international experts and national counterparts;
b. Support the team in the preparation of project progress reports, summaries, briefs and presentations.
c. Contribute to the preparation of terms of reference and procurement processes of national consultants and service providers, and ensure close supervision for the quality delivery of products and services to implement programme activities;
d. Support and monitor the progress of activity implementation at the country level and by project partners;
e. Assist in managing the budget and administrative aspects of the project, especially where funds are decentralised to the UNESCO Phnom Penh office;
f. Advise the Chief of Education of any potential challenges and work with the CSESI HQ and local team to address the challenges to achieve the programme’s implementation milestones as planned;
g. Ensure that implementation tasks and responsibilities are carried out on time, within budget, and in accordance with the basic principles of good governance
2. Lead the organisation and logistical management for technical meetings and workshops, in close collaboration and communication with CEESI partners and government counterparts, providing administrative and operational support before, during and after the workshops and meetings including developing and consolidating relevant documents, invitation lists and letters, overseeing and supporting logistics including budgeting and contracting of service providers, coordinating with participants on inputs, preparation and data required for the workshop and supporting facilitation during the workshop.

Long Description

3. Provide coordination and technical support to MoEYS departments for the implementation of CSESI, ensuring regular follow up with relevant technical departments, maintaining regular communication, producing necessary technical and operational documents, ensuring necessary letters and supporting documents are produced and endorsed, consolidating and disseminating up-to-date project documents, communication and visibility materials, keeping Phnom Penh Education Chief and CSESI partners informed about MoEYS’ decisions, concerns, and recommendations, and monitoring progress on tasks to be accomplished between missions and seeking input from stakeholders as relevant.
4. Provide technical assistance and guidance to the monitoring and evaluation of the UNESCO-led component in CSESI, including:
a. disseminate and collect the monitoring questionnaires to relevant participants in line with the required methodology;
b. Prepare an outcome report after each workshop or technical meeting;
c. provide quarterly progress reports to the UNESCO Phnom Penh, UNESCO ESD and UNESCO-IIEP Education Specialists on the progress and outcomes of the various project activities including guidance on potential adjustments of ongoing and/or new areas for intervention based on in-country developments and other reports as required ;
d. communicate effectively with all partners and contribute to the project’s final outcome report, provide inputs into “lessons learned” and reporting documents that will draw from the outcomes of the project to provide concrete policy and planning recommendations for ministry officials at central and provincial levels.

5. Provide support to produce communication and visibility materials to widely communicate key messages and the achievements of the climate smart education and education for sustainable development (ESD) initiatives of UNESCO.
6. Translate documents and project reports and provide interpretation during meetings and seminars when required from English to Khmer and vice-versa.
7. Provide technical and strategic guidance to facilitate and coordinate other ESD or climate smart related initiatives and events, including organizing and participating in meetings related to ESD and climate smart initiatives arranged by the government counterparts, NGOs, and other partners as required.
8. Undertake any other tasks assigned by the UNESCO Country Representative and the Chief of Education.

Long Description

Deliverables
As the Education Consultant will support the daily implementation of CSESI workplan, it is expected she/he will submit monthly reports to their supervisor(s) before each monthly payment.

Work location

The Education Consultant will be located at the UNESCO Phnom Penh Office, and will have regular engagement with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and Save the Children staff.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education
Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in education, social science, international relations, public management or related field

Professional experience
• Minimum two years of relevant experience supporting the coordination and implementation of programmes in the field of education, development or climate change, including in contexts involving emergencies and disasters.
• Strong knowledge of educational planning and management, especially in the above mentioned contexts.
• Strong understanding of risk management in education including with governments, donors, NGOs, the UN system and relevant international organisations.
• Experience in development and delivery of training materials. Experience with training in educational planning and/or crisis-sensitive planning is an asset.
• Experience of working in collaboration with or for ministries and development partners on technical assistance programs.

Skills and competencies
• Excellent training, presentation, public speaking and advocacy skills.
• Excellent coordination and management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work productively in multi-cultural teams.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Language skills
• Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English and Khmer.

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)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

CONTRACT MODALITY

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS