Education Sector Planning and Reform Design Consultant - Global Education Practice (Remote - Internationals only)

Contract Duration – 8.5 months

Working arrangement: remote

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

UNICEF works with governments and partners to strengthen education systems and improve equitable learning outcomes for all children. As part of its systems strengthening agenda, UNICEF supports countries in developing evidence-based education sector reforms, strengthening sector planning processes, and advancing implementation of transformative education policies and programmes.

Within this framework, the Global Education Practice (GEP)’s Policy Reform and Programme Design team supports countries to strengthen policy design, sector planning, programme development, and implementation approaches grounded in evidence, equity, and system transformation principles.

Many UNICEF programme countries are currently engaged with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the development and implementation of GPE Partnership Compacts and related grant processes, including contexts where UNICEF serves as Grant Agent, or implementing partner under GPE System Transformation Grants (STG), System Capacity Grants (SCG), Multiplier or sector lead. Countries require technical support to identify and prioritize system reforms, develop coherent reform packages, align financing and implementation arrangements, and strengthen the use of evidence in decision-making processes and sector planning.

To support these priorities, UNICEF seeks an experienced consultant to provide technical assistance on education sector planning and reform design.

The consultant will be based in the GEP Policy Reform and Programme Design team and work in close coordination with the Data, Economics and Assessment for Learning and Skills (DEALS) team and Global Policy and Liaison team to ensure alignment between sector planning, reform prioritization, evidence generation, and financing analysis.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master’s in education, economics, public policy, international development, social policy, or related field.
• Work Experience:
  • Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in education sector planning, education policy reform, systems strengthening, or related areas;
  • Demonstrated experience supporting countries engaged in GPE processes, including Partnership Compact development and/or GPE grant implementation;
  • Experience in education sector analysis, reform design, financing, policy implementation, or learning systems strengthening;
  • Proven experience in evidence-based policy and programme design;
  • Experience working with governments, multilateral organizations, and development partners;
  • Familiarity with UNICEF programming and global education priorities is an asset.
• Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic is an asset
• Knowledge/expertise/Skills:
  • Strong analytical and strategic planning skills
  • Excellent drafting and facilitation skills
  • Ability to synthesize complex technical information into practical recommendations
  • Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills

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 for Eduation Sector Planning Policy 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 .