[Hiring] Consultancy: Learning Assessments and SDG 4 Indicator Methodology @UNESCO

Role Description

As the custodian agency for SDG 4 indicators, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is responsible for developing methodologies, maintaining global databases, supporting countries in reporting data, and producing technical guidance to improve the quality, comparability and use of education statistics.

Learning assessments play a central role in SDG 4 monitoring, both for reporting on SDG indicator 4.1.1 and for producing several other indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes. To support countries, assessment providers and policymakers, UIS develops technical guidance, decision-support tools and reporting mechanisms, including:

• Criteria for reporting on SDG indicator 4.1.1
• Vetting mechanism
• Learning Assessment Buyer's Guide

UIS is also responsible for maintaining and disseminating a range of SDG 4 indicators derived from learning assessments and other data sources, together with their associated metadata and methodological documentation.

As part of its ongoing work programme and preparations for regional consultations and the UNESCO Conference on Education Data and Statistics, UIS is seeking a consultant to support the revision and development of guidance materials and communication products, contribute to methodological work on learning indicators and indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes, update selected SDG 4 indicator datasets and documentation, and prepare analytical products to strengthen the dissemination and use of UIS education data.

Assignments

Under the overall authority of the Head of the Foresight, Research and Methodology Section, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Revision of the Buyer's Guide to International Student Assessments (2025 edition): Review documents and inputs, consult with partner organizations, incorporate feedback, and draft a revised Buyer's Guide.
• Learning Assessments Online Decision Tree: Develop a concept and implementation proposal for an interactive online decision tree.
• Vetting Mechanism communication document: Develop a concise communication document to support the positioning and promotion of the UIS Vetting Mechanism.
• Discussion Paper on learning indicators: Prepare a discussion paper reviewing key methodological, conceptual and implementation challenges related to learning indicators.
• Technical Note on indicators derived from cross-national assessments: Prepare a technical note reviewing methodologies used to produce SDG indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes.
• Update of SDG indicators and metadata: Update datasets for selected indicators, validate and revise datasets, and document all revisions made.

Contract Duration

The consultancy will be carried out over a period of 5 months, with an expected start date shortly after the completion of the selection process. The assignment will be home-based (remote), with deliverables submitted according to the schedule below.

Deliverables

• Revised Learning Assessment Buyer's Guide: Draft framework and recommendations by July 2026; final revised Buyer's Guide by August 2026.
• Learning Assessments Online Decision Tree: Concept and implementation proposal by August 2026.
• UIS Vetting Mechanism communication document: Communication document by August 2026.
• Discussion Paper on learning indicators: Discussion paper by August 2026.
• Technical Note on indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes: Technical note by September 2026.
• Statistical fact sheet on bullying prevalence: Fact sheet by September 2026.
• Updated SDG indicator datasets and documentation: Updated datasets and documentation by October 2026.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent, or higher) in statistics, demography, economics, mathematics or related domains.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant work experience in applied social statistics, ideally related to the assessment of learning outcomes.
• Preferably 3 to 5 years acquired at the international level within a UN or similar agency, or a government ministry.
• Demonstrated expertise in education statistics, learning assessments and SDG 4 monitoring.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to review indicator methodologies, validate datasets and assess comparability across data sources.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Solid knowledge of cross-national learning assessment programmes and of the SDG 4 monitoring framework.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting, manage multiple concurrent deliverables and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven research experience in education is desirable.

Languages

• Excellent proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is an asset.

Application Process

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form. At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

• Part 1: Technical Proposal
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• A statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment;
• An indication of the approach (methodology, detailed workplan) he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment;
• Part 2: Financial Proposal
• A competitive fee for the assignment, quoted in EUR/USD/CAD/GBP and expressed on a monthly basis.

Selection and Recruitment Process

All candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks.

Additional Information

UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.