International Digital Education Consultant

Contract Duration – 10 months Working arrangement: Office based with travel UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. TERMS OF REFERENCE Lao PDR has been selected by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) as one of the countries that will be part the GPE Technology for Education (Tech4Ed) technical assistance initiative. UNICEF is the selected grant agent for the GPE Tech4Ed to help co-design and implement this initiative with GPE and the technical partner EdTechHub, in close coordination with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and other key stakeholders in Lao PDR. The initiative draws on the technical expertise, tools and resources of UNICEF and the EdTech Hub to strengthen capacity of and within partner countries to use technology to improve education access and learning outcomes for children. More specifically the Tech4Ed initiative will provide technical, policy and cross-sectoral assistance for countries embedding or scaling technology into their education system. Led by the MoES Digital Transformation Steering Committee and with UNICEF’s support, GPETech4Ed work plan for Lao PDR has been developed and approved by the GPE Secretariat. The GPETech4Ed work plan was developed through extensive consultation processes through the education sector working groups both at the national and sub-national level, ensuring engagement of multi-sectoral key stakeholders, both government, non-government and private sector entities. The GPETech4Ed work is based on a comprehensive situation analysis of Tech4Ed in Lao PDR, that confirmed that despite the steady expansion of access to education, several persistent challenges continue to constrain progress in education quality, inclusion, and efficiency. Available data shows low student learning outcomes such as increasing drop-out and out-of-school rates, persistent inequities in access, and insufficient financing for education. In response, digital transformation of education has identified as a priority in the national and sector strategies to address the systemic issues. If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Digital Education Consultant.pdf Minimum requirements: • Education: Advanced university degree in relevant field, such as education, information technology, public administration, or others relevant. In lieu of a specific academic degree, relevant experience may be considered to meet this requirement. • Work Experience: • At least 5 years of professional work experience in any relevant field including ICT in education, digital pedagogy and digital learning, teaching/education. • Experience in the education sector in Laos/Southeast Asia is a strong asset. • Experience in costing exercise related to digital transformation is a strong asset • Language Requirements: Fluency in English is a requirement. Knowledge of Lao language or Thai language is a strong asset. • Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Knowledge of the Lao PDR’s education sector and the broader digital landscape and the related policies, strategies, actions plans, etc as a strong asset • Desirables: Prior work experience with UNICEF or other UN organization is an asset For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System): • An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV) • Cover letter • A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal Digital Education Consultant.docx Remarks: UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information. All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.