[Hiring] Consultant for Support the Ministry of Education in Developing the New National Strategy of the Preuniversity Education @AGORA

Role Description

Contract Duration: 7 months

Working arrangement: Home Based

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.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: External ToR TMC0002100 p.pdf

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Education, Social Sciences, or relevant disciplines.
• At least 10 years of experience in education policy development, education governance, strategic planning, and sector-wide analysis of education systems.
• Proven experience in the design, implementation, and/or review of national education strategies or sector plans, preferably in EU Member States, accession countries, or the Western Balkans region, including Albania.
• Demonstrable expertise in monitoring and evaluation, including the development of results frameworks, indicators, and performance monitoring systems in the education sector.
• Strong understanding of European Union education policies, the European Education Area, and alignment with EU acquis (particularly Chapter 26 – Education and Culture).
• Experience in addressing equity and inclusion in education, including policies targeting vulnerable and marginalized groups.
• Familiarity with emerging global education priorities, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence in education, and skills for the future (green and digital transitions).
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder consultation and facilitation, including engagement with government institutions, development partners, academia, civil society, and youth.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality policy documents in English (knowledge of Albanian is considered an asset).
• Experience in development of financial costing and scenarios for education sector would be considered an asset.

Requirements

• Experience working with international organizations, including the United Nations and/or the European Union, is considered an asset.
• Proven ability to coordinate a team in a collegial style under tight timelines.
• Proven ability to build consensus among a broad range of stakeholders including development partners and government both from within and outside the sector.

What to submit

• Letter of interest summarizing the educational background, the working experience that is relevant to the assignment, and the specific role the candidate will play.
• Short proposed methodological approach as for deliverables set forth.
• Updated Resume
• Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall be submitted in USD, and must include the consultancy fee, the communication costs and all other individual expenses or applicable costs. The travel lump sum will be defined by the consultant in the financial offer in USD.

Child Safeguarding

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF's Commitment

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.

Application Process

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
• Short proposed methodological approach as for deliverables set forth

Remarks

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes. 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.