OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST:

The Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality seeks a consultant to provide technical support during the implementation of the KIX-GPE project “Lifting barriers: Educated boys for gender equality” (2024-2027). The incumbent will assist particularly on the development and finalization of capacity-building materials for Ministry of Education staff to promote inclusive and positive masculinities through teaching and learning materials, and gender equality in and through education.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Education, the overall guidance of the Director of the Division for Education 2030 (ED/E30), and under the immediate supervision of the Chief of Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality (ED/E30/IGE), the Consultant will work close in close cooperation with the Programme Specialist, the Associate Project Officer, as well as with UNESCO’s Field Offices in Malawi and Cambodia, and with implementing partners, to perform the following tasks:

1. Participate in key meetings.

2. Based on a previously prepared scoping study assessing selected innovations from different countries that have helped keep boys engaged in school and their potential for scaling up , the consultant will a) develop one (1) global guide to review teaching and learning material with the aim to promote inclusive and positive masculinities in curriculum and learning materials, and b) prepare one (1) 3-days training programme for Education Ministry Staff and curriculum development staff to review existing teaching and learning materials to make them gender-transformative with a particular view to address harmful and restrictive male gender norms:

• Carefully review and analyze the Scoping Study.
• Do a mapping of similar guides and training programmes and review these.
• Develop an outline for the Global Guide (around 80 pages) and present it to the consortium for feedback and guidance.
• Prepare a first, second and final draft of the Global Guide and share it with the consortium for input and final validation.
• Based on the Global Guide, present a first outline of the 3-days training module and present it to the consortium for feedback and guidance.
• Prepare a first, second and final draft of the training module and present it to the consortium for feedback and validation.

3. Support the organization of and lead in-person consultative workshops on the revision of existing teaching and learning materials in Cambodia, Lesotho and Malawi (country mission of 3 days each), in close collaboration with UNESCO’s field offices and national partners.

• Liaise closely with colleagues in UNESCO field offices in Cambodia, Lesotho and Malawi to organize the workshops
• Design the consultation workshops, including the development of materials: e.g. 3 handouts, 3 concept notes, 3 agendas.
• Lead the workshops presenting the Global Guide and the draft training modules, and moderate the discussions.
• Collect and document feedback on how to adapt the guidelines to the national context.
• Draft reports on the 3 workshops to UNESCO HQ (max 20 pages each).

4. Building on the consultative workshop and in close coordination with the consortium, UNESCO’s FOs and national partners, adapt the global guide into 3 national contexts, resulting in 3 national guides (around 50 pages each) to review existing teaching and learning materials for Cambodia, Lesotho and Malawi:

• Present a general outline for the 3 national guides to the consortium for guidance and feedback, highlighting any potential specificities due to national contexts.
• Consult with colleagues of UNESCO’s Field Offices and national partners to accurately capture each country’s context.
• Present a first draft (3) for review and input by the consortium.
• Present a final draft incorporating feedback for further comments and validation.

Timeline deliverables

#. Task/ Deadline (draft)

1. Participate in the inception meeting/ 16/12/24

2. Scoping Study analysis and mapping of similar guides and training programmes/ 23/12/24

Global Guide Outlines/ 03/01/25

First draft of the Global Guide/ 17/01/25

Second draft of the Global Guide/ 07/02/25

Final draft of the Global Guide / 21/02/25

First draft of the training module/ 10/03/25

Second draft of the training module/ 26/03/25

Final draft of the training module/ 11/04/25

3. Design of consultative workshops/ 25/04/25

Delivery consultative workshops in Cambodia, Lesotho and Malawi (country mission of 3 days each)/ 23/05/25

Workshop final reports (3)/ 30/05/25

4. Outlines presentation for 3 national guides/ 11/06/25

First draft of 3 national guides/ 27/06/25

Second draft of 3 national guides/ 18/07/25

Final draft of 3 national guides/ 08/09/25

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial):

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in education, gender, development studies, social sciences or a related field;
• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the development of gender-transformative teaching and learning materials and/or capacity building in this area at the international and/or national level;
• Experience in organizing consultations with national stakeholders including, in particular, governments;
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English, including the ability to prepare clear and concise analytical reports and documents;
• Strong coordination skills and ability to interact with a wide range of internal/external partners and stakeholders.
• Tact and diplomatic skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Work experience in the UN or experience with assignments for the UN;
• Understanding and knowledge of UN mandates and its programming in relation to Human Rights and Gender Equality;
• Work experience in the area of masculinities;
• Work experience in sub-Saharan Africa and/or South-East Asia;
• Knowledge of and experience in developing knowledge management products.