DRAFTING THE UNESCO ARAB REGIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT STRATEGY

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KEY CONSIDERATIONS ------------------ **PLEASE DO NOT MODIFY THE FIELDS OF THE SECTION BELOW.** **OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Beirut Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 31-MAR-2021 (Deadline extended due to IT maintenance) UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- UNESCO, the United Nations agency responsible for Education, operates in the Arab region through a network of Field Offices, Category 1 Institutes and Category 2 Centres aimed at advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on Quality Education, in cooperation with Member States and other United Nations agencies. The UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Arab States located in Beirut (UNESCO-Beirut) coordinates these efforts. In order to plan its work in the region, UNESCO developed in 2016 the ‘UNESCO Arab Regional Education Support Strategy’ running from 2016 to 2021. This strategy was later complemented by the ‘UNESCO Strategic Framework for Education in Emergencies in the Arab Region’ covering the 2018-2021 period. As both documents are about to expire, UNESCO is launching a process aimed at developing a new Strategy that will run from 2022 to 2025. This Strategy will cover all UNESCO’s areas of work in the Education Sector (all formal education levels and adult education) in all contexts, including emergency situations. It will be anchored in UNESCO’s programme defined in the current and upcoming Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and quadrennial Programme and Budget (C/5) and cover a key phase of the Decade of Action to achieve SDG 4 by 2030. KEY CONSIDERATIONS ------------------ The Arab Region has been under stress for over a decade. Political instability, conflicts, climate change, the refugee and economic crises, and – more recently – the COVID-19 pandemic, have hit hard Arab countries and most particularly vulnerable communities, women and young people. The education sector has been particularly touched by regional challenges, and some Member States are still struggling in ensuring access to education, especially for the most vulnerable. Nevertheless, a stronger and more efficient education system is instrumental to mitigating regional challenges and contributing to prosperity and peace. Developing the UNESCO Arab Regional Education Support Strategy in a new post-COVID-19 context is an opportunity to make the most of Education to overcome the difficulties that the Arab Region is facing, and to build a more just and resilient ‘next normal’. **Purpose** The contractor shall support UNESCO in the organization of consultations with UNESCO internal and external stakeholders – including Member States, Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, United Nations agencies, donors – and draft the Arab Regional Education Support Strategy 2022-2025. Ultimately, this work is aimed at supporting an effective strategic positioning of UNESCO and impact in the field of education in the Arab region. While the Strategy is not aimed at replacing the Programme defined in the C/4 and C/5, it will build on them to maximise UNESCO’s contribution to the region, and serve as a resource mobilization and communication tool. **DUTIES, TASKS AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS** --------------------------------------- 1. Conduct a desk review of available UNESCO documents and other relevant research related to Education in the Arab region as well as UNESCO’s global and regional priorities and positioning, in order to identify relevant content and key issues for the development of the Strategy; 2. Map UNESCO’s and other key stakeholders’ activities and engagement in the region; 3. Support the organization and running of consultations in view of updating the Strategy; 4. Develop surveys, documents and tools to lead discussions with UNESCO internal and external staff and stakeholders in view of updating the Strategy; 5. Participate in meetings, write minutes and seize key messages in order to feed the updated Strategy; 6. Draft the Strategy in English, and collect and integrate feedback from UNESCO, Member States and other stakeholders; 7. Develop Power Point presentations and other useful tools to present the content of the Strategy at all stages of the development process; 8. Provide technical expertise to UNESCO Beirut Chief of Education on strategic positioning of UNESCO on education for the region. Output: Arab Regional Education Support Strategy 2022-2025. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Advanced degree (Ph.D preferred) in social sciences, preferably education. - Professional experience of at least 8 years, relevant in the field of education policy and strategy development; - Professional knowledge about education challenges and issues as relevant to education in the Arab region; - Rigorous experience in research, and development of strategic and policy documents in the field of education; - Strong intellectual leadership, analytical and report writing skills; - High self-initiative and flexible in quickly adjusting to the changing workplan requirements; - Directly relevant professional experience in the Arab region is an asset; - Familiarity of work with UNESCO and UN agencies in the Arab region is an asset; - Fluent written and spoken English and Arabic are required; good knowledge of French is an asset. **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- Candidates are requested to attach: - CV; - Cover letter; - A technical proposal (no more than three pages, including a tentative schedule); - A financial proposal; - A sample document, publication or article in English, entirely written by the candidate. **WORKING MODALITIES AND DURATION** This consultancy is home based with possible travel to Beirut (Lebanon) and/or other countries in the Arab region (depending on COVID-19-related travel restrictions). It is planned to start as soon as possible and will run until November 2021. **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.