Home-based: Education Specialist Consultant

A. Background: 

UNESCO and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 9 September 2022, on the margin of the high-level commemoration of the “International Day to Protect Education from Attack”. The MOU represents a significant milestone amid UNESCO’s reinvigorated engagement to support Member States to protect and ensure the right to education for all, particularly for conflict-affected populations. Areas of collaboration in the MOU further the impetus of the international community towards ensuring implementation of the United Nations (UN) Security Council (SC) Resolution 2601, aiming to address the exhibited need for ameliorative programmes in support of conflict-affected teachers and learners and ensure their right to education.

Within the framework of the Agenda 2030, the Education 2030 Framework for Action of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 clearly indicates the urgent need to address education in emergencies and protracted crises, noting that conflicts can leave entire generations traumatized, uneducated and unprepared to contribute to the social and economic recovery of their countries or regions. Conflict is a major barrier to access to education, stalling and in some cases reversing progress towards sustainable development. Quality education in contexts of emergencies and protracted crises is immediately protective, providing life-saving knowledge and skills and psychosocial support to those affected. Education equips children, youth, and adults with skills needed for a sustainable future, to prevent disaster, conflict, and disease and rebuild peaceful societies, among others.

B. Project Description and Objective: 

Adopting the UNSC Resolution 2601, to safeguard the right to education in armed conflict, the United Nations Security Council “urged Member States to provide the necessary protection and assistance to children, including those in vulnerable situations such as internally displaced persons, children undergoing reintegration assistance, refugees and children with disabilities, among others.”

Within this context, Member States need, therefore, support to institute measures to develop inclusive, responsive, and resilient education systems to meet the needs of children, youth, and adults in crisis contexts, including former child and youth associated with armed forces and armed groups.

In contexts of emergencies, protracted crises, conflict and post-conflict settings, UNESCO plays a crucial role in providing long-term interventions, to restore and reconstruct educational systems, and promote social cohesion and sustainable development, along the humanitarian – development – peace nexus.

Within this background, the UNESCO Doha Office and the Analysis and Outreach Hub on CAAC in Doha, will collaborate on the development of a teacher guide to support children and youth in conflict situation with a specific focus on reintegration of former combatants.

Teachers are the backbone of every education system. Competent and empowered teachers play an important role in the actual effectuation of inclusive education systems and programmes that respond to the specific needs of different groups. In conflict and post-conflict settings, however, teachers may be in short supply and may not have sufficient qualifications and/or experience to deal with hard conditions, augmented learners’ needs and complexities. The role of teachers in the reintegration of former combatants is critical and an integral part of the education response to conflict and crises. It is therefore with this in mind that the UNESCO Doha Office and the Analysis and Outreach Hub on CAAC in Doha, will launch a call for the development of a teacher guide on the reintegration of former combatants through education. Within the scope of the MOU between UNESCO and OSRSG CAAC, and building on the respective organizations’ work and expertise, it is expected that the teacher guide will support education systems to be inclusive of all children and youth, including former combatants.

C. Responsibilities: 

Under the guidance of the Analysis and Outreach Hub on CAAC in Doha, and in regular consultation with UNESCO Doha Office, the Consultant will:

1. Conduct a desk review:
   • Mapping of teacher training existing tools, resources, programmes, platforms, working groups, academic and non-academic literature related to the education of former CAAFAG.
   • Mapping of relevant key stakeholders in the education and reintegration of former CAAFAG.
   • Organize a series of consultations with relevant key stakeholders including UN agencies, civil society, Ministries of Education, policy makers, academia and experts to gain insights and feedback.
2. Develop a teacher guide:
   • Develop a teacher guide with guidelines for teachers and practitioners. The teacher guide should provide:
     • An overview of children in armed conflict and the reintegration of former CAAFAG (stigmatization, role of families and communities, etc);
     • Guidance on how to respond to the specific needs of former CAAFAG through education; iii. Key messages: the teacher guide will be global in nature as its guidance will be applicable to a broad range of contexts.

D. Expected Outcomes: 

1. Report based on desk review and consultations: 3 months
2. Teacher Guide - Global: 2 months

E. Location:

The consultant/individual contractor is expected to work remotely.

F. Duration of Work:

The estimated duration of work is five (5) months, starting in September 2023.

G. Qualifications: 

Functional Competencies: 

• Ability to engage with a cross-section of stakeholders in the United Nations, civil society and the public sector.
• Outstanding communication skills.
• Solid expertise of/in child protection issues, including of the CAAC monitoring and reporting mechanism of grave violations against children in armed conflict.
• Ability to share knowledge and pass on expertise, including on very complex issues.
• Excellent research, writing, communication and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of gender and disability inclusion issues, particularly in relation to child protection.
• Familiarity with the UN system and solid knowledge of the children and armed conflict mandate.

Education:

• Advanced degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in education with a specific focus on Education in Emergencies and Protracted Crises. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: 

• At least fifteen (15) years’ experience in the education sector.
• Extensive experience in teacher professional development, with a particular focus on development of teacher training programmes in emergency and conflict settings.
• Specific experience and knowledge relevant to the reintegration of children associated with armed forces and groups is desirable.
• Experience working internationally including with the UN organizations with a focus on the Arab States.

Language:

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required;
• Arabic would be an advantage.

How to Apply: 

Applications should be sent to Randall Tilson, randall.tilson@un.org as below and include:

1. Candidate Profile or (P11), go to www.inspira.un.org to register and create an account and candidate profile, if you do not already have one.
2. Motivation Statement (which is part of the Candidate Profile)
3. One writing sample unedited by others

Please refer to “Education Consultancy” in the subject line of your email.

*** The deadline to apply is 31 July 2023 ***