Financing Models Mapping for Education and Sustainable Development in Thailand

Support mapping and analysis of financing mechanisms for education in Thailand.

Application deadline in 7 days: Tuesday 4 Aug 2026 at 00:00 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Support mapping and analysis of financing mechanisms for education in Thailand.

You have:

  • Demonstrated experience in public finance, local government finance, economics, education finance, development finance, fiscal decentralization, public policy, or related fields.
  • Strong research, analytical, and data synthesis skills.
  • Experience conducting desk reviews, data mapping, and policy analysis.
  • Knowledge of local government systems, public financial management, fiscal decentralization, education financing, or development financing is highly desirable.
  • Understanding of financing for sustainable development and SDG financing frameworks is an asset.
  • Ability to present complex information in a concise and user-friendly format.
  • Experience with Excel, data visualization tools, and analytical reporting.
  • Familiarity with Thailand's development context or Southeast Asia is desirable.
  • Advanced university degree in economics, public policy, public administration, finance, education, development studies, or a related field.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCO Bangkok) is exploring opportunities to strengthen understanding of local financing ecosystems and financing models that can support sustainable local development, quality education, and the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This assignment will contribute to UNESCO's work on education financing, evidence generation, policy dialogue, and local development by mapping and analyzing financing mechanisms available to local governments and other local actors in Thailand. Particular attention will be given to financing approaches that can support equitable access to education, lifelong learning opportunities, and local implementation of SDG 4 alongside broader sustainable development objectives.

The findings will help inform UNESCO's programmes, partnerships, research, and advocacy efforts related to education financing, sustainable development, local governance, and financing for development. The resulting analysis will serve as an evidence base for identifying opportunities, challenges, and innovative practices in local financing, including mechanisms that can strengthen education outcomes at the local level, notably through UNESCO Learning and Creative Cities. The Online Volunteer's contribution will support UNESCO's efforts to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities through evidence-based policymaking, strengthened local capacities, and enhanced investment in education and local development.

We are looking for an Online Volunteer with experience in public finance, local governance, development financing, education financing, or economic research to support a short-term assignment on local financing in Thailand. Under the guidance of programme specialist, the Online Volunteer will support the mapping and analysis of financing models and financing mechanisms available to local governments and local development actors in Thailand, with particular attention to opportunities for supporting education and SDG achievement.

Specifically, the Online Volunteer will: - Conduct a desk review of relevant literature, policy documents, reports, and databases related to local finance, education financing, and subnational financing in Thailand. - Map key financing models, mechanisms, and instruments used by local governments, including public finance, fiscal transfers, local revenue generation, borrowing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, philanthropy, and innovative financing approaches. - Identify and compile relevant quantitative and qualitative data from publicly available sources. - Develop a structured inventory/database of financing mechanisms, including their characteristics, eligibility requirements, scale, and potential applications for local development and education initiatives. - Assess the extent to which identified financing mechanisms and local financing models can support education development priorities, including equitable access to quality education, lifelong learning opportunities, skills development, and local implementation of SDG 4. - Analyze trends, opportunities, gaps, and challenges in local financing in Thailand. - Identify examples of promising practices and innovative approaches that could support localized development, education outcomes, and SDG financing, including through UNESCO Learning and creative Cities. - Prepare a concise analytical report (approximately 10-15 pages) summarizing findings, key trends, and recommendations for further exploration.

The Online Volunteer will be expected to provide regular progress updates and participate in periodic virtual check-ins with the project team.

Candidates should have demonstrated experience in public finance, local government finance, economics, education finance, development finance, fiscal decentralization, public policy, or related fields. The ideal candidate should possess: • Strong research, analytical, and data synthesis skills. • Experience conducting desk reviews, data mapping, and policy analysis. • Knowledge of local government systems, public financial management, fiscal decentralization, education financing, or development financing is highly desirable. • Understanding of financing for sustainable development and SDG financing frameworks is an asset. • Ability to present complex information in a concise and user-friendly format. • Experience with Excel, data visualization tools, and analytical reporting. • Familiarity with Thailand's development context or Southeast Asia is desirable. • Familiarity with UNESCO's areas of work, particularly education and sustainable development, is an advantage.

• Advanced university degree in economics, public policy, public administration, finance, education, development studies, or a related field.

Potential interview questions

Can you provide an example of a successful project you were involved in related to education financing? This assesses your direct experience and contributions in education financing. Outline the project context, your role, and the impact of the project.
How do you approach conducting desk reviews and data mapping? This question evaluates your methodological skills and experience. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you implement to assess funding opportunities for local governments? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenge you faced in public financial management and how you overcame it. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure data consistency and validity in your analyses? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you discuss your familiarity with sustainable development goals? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What tools do you prefer for data visualization and why? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you plan to present complex information to a non-technical audience? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 5 days ago - Updated 54 minutes ago - Source: unv.org