Senior Technical Consultant: Supporting SDG 4 in the Arab Region Under COVID-19 Conditions

Consultant

Overview

Analyze education financing in the Arab region and provide policy recommendations.

You have:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D preferred) in economics, education policy, and related social sciences.
• Professional experience of at least 8 years, relevant in the field of education economics, including public education financing.
• Professional knowledge about education challenges and issues relevant to education financing and SDG4.
• Rigorous research experience working with qualitative and quantitative data.
• Strong intellectual leadership, analytical and report writing skills.
• High self-initiative and flexible in quickly adjusting to the changing workplan.
• 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.
• Professional proficiency in English and Arabic (French is an asset).

Contract

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**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) : 10-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** ----------------------------------------- Ambitions for education are essentially captured in [Sustainable Development Goal 4](https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000259784) (SDG 4) of the 2030 Agenda which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” [by 2030](https://en.unesco.org/themes/education2030-sdg4/timeline). UNESCO is responsible for coordinating the international community to achieve this goal through partnerships, policy guidance, capacity development, monitoring and advocacy. This places UNESCO in a unique position to support member states in achieving the SDG4-Education 2030 agenda. The year 2020 faced new challenges primarily in relation to the COVID-19 global pandemic that forced school closures and stark decline in both domestic and international economies. The unprecedented global social and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed our world’s fragility and interdependence, affecting every country, community and family. Most of the countries in the region have relied on alternative learning modalities, primarily through the use of technology. However, much of practical training for skills development was interrupted and exposed and deepened existing inequalities, including socioeconomic ones that lead to the exclusion of the poorest, most disadvantaged and marginalized, as well as those under fragile situations in the region. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, transition to a ‘new normal’ poses new questions on how to progress and monitor SDG 4, especially in the area of education financing. OBJECTIVES ---------- Public Financing for Education Data on education finance are fragmented and scattered across different ministries in general. Reliable and quality data are important to monitor efficiency in spending and ensure accountability on use of resources. With the rapidly progressing reliance on technology for education, the business/financial structure of education institutions are also shifting with increased demand toward reduction of tuitions. This requires an analysis of education financing that will trigger policy dialogues toward a sustainable/effective financing mechanism for an equitable education system. While there are some research conducted for higher education, such analysis is still limited for early childhood, pre-primary and basic education. At the global level, COVID-19 related school closures risk increasing the annual financial gap in low- and lower-middle-income countries to achieve SDG4 from $148 billion USD to nearly $200 billion USD the aid to education is projected to fall by $2 billion USD by 2022. Governments around the world, including those in the Arab region, are prioritizing spending on health and economic stimulus and social safety nets during this time of global pandemic, resulting in a sharp decline of education funding. These priorities are short-term measures. Nevertheless, even before the pandemic, the impact of increased education expenditure was not necessarily reaching the poorest and most vulnerable children and the funding toward education was showing a declining trend. In this respect, education decision makers and stakeholders must identify how to safeguard funding toward public basic education, and prioritize where the investment should focus (e.g. going back to school vs improving access to technology vs improving e-learning) in order to pursue the SDG 4 goals. **OBJECTIVES** -------------- Within the framework of the UNESCO Beirut – Open Society Foundation Project Agreement to support SDG4 in the Arab States “*SDG4 Furthering Quality Education for the Future in the Arab States*”, UNESCO Beirut is seeking support from a senior education economist/education financing expert to analyze the status of education financing in the region and generate policy recommendations for the future. Concretely, the Consultant shall undertake following tasks and deliver corresponding outputs: Outcome: *Improved evidence-based policy dialogue and advocacy on education financing for the future.* **SCOPE OF WORK** ----------------- - Conduct research on education financing with analysis of: public financing for education; past funding mechanism, current trends on financial needs in the public basic education system in the Arab states. The analysis is expected to answer questions such as (yet not limited to): What is the status of public education budget before and after COVID-19? How has the resource allocation changed? What is the share of domestic financing vs external support? How is equity reflected in the financing plan?How has the crisis changed how school administration approach financial planning? What operational and structural changes might emerge from this point onwards? What lessons can be learned from the past? - Concluding recommendations for education decision makers and stakeholder on how to ensure resources to build better education systems after COVID-19. - Provide technical expertise to UNESCO Beirut Chief of Education on education financing throughout duration of contract. Output: Education Financing Analytical Report for the Arab States beyond COVID-19. Reporting Throughout the assignment, the Senior Technical Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Regional Director of UNESCO Beirut Office and will report to the Chief of Education. During the fulfilment of his/her work, the Senior Technical consultant will ensure regularly communication with Chief of Education prior to the delivery of expected tasks/reports. The Senior Technical Consultant is expected to work closely with UNESCO colleagues based in Beirut as well as in the field offices, Open Society Foundation specialist, member states and other key stakeholders in the region. **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](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **QUALIFICATIONS** ------------------ - *Advanced degree (Ph.D preferred) in economics,education policy, and related social sciences;* - *Professional experience of at least 8 years, relevant in the field of education economics, including public education financing;* - *Professional knowledge about education challenges and issues as relevant to education financing and SDG4* - *Rigorous research experience working with qualitative and quantitative data* - *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;* - *Professional proficiency in English and Arabic (French is an asset)* **ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES** ------------------------- The consultant may be required to travel pending the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. A travel work plan will be added if/when possible. - The consultant(s) will be engaged six months out of the eight-month period. - The Senior Technical Consultant is expected to work in his/her residence and carry out the assignment in close consultation and collaboration with UNESCO team. - The consultant(s) will provide his/her own laptop and cell phone; - The payment will be made against approved deliverables. **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.

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Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.unesco.org