International Consultant – Education Planning, Research, Monitoring, Data

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Afghanistan.

📋 Description

• Conduct a technical evaluation of GPE System Capacity Grant activities and UNESCO education program priorities.

• Assist with the implementation, monitoring, assessment, and operationalization of the AESSP and associated education sector planning processes.

• Contribute to sector analysis, scenario-based planning, program prioritization, and operational frameworks.

• Lead the creation of the gender preparedness and recovery plan.

• Review technical inputs, briefing notes, presentations, planning documents, and analytical materials.

• Direct the design, execution, and finalization of the 2026 Education Situation Report and related sector analysis.

• Analyze the effects and costs related to restrictions on girls' secondary and higher education.

• Evaluate research concepts, methodologies, analytical frameworks, Terms of Reference, and data collection tools.

• Ensure the quality of research products and facilitate consultations with researchers, experts, and education partners.

• Assist with monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks under GPE SCG, AESSP, and other UNESCO initiatives.

• Review monitoring methodologies, questionnaires, reporting templates, observation tools, interview instruments, and focus group tools.

• Provide guidance for collaborative monitoring field visits and evidence-generating activities conducted in the field.

• Review triangulated partner information, field findings, and other data sources.

• Support the documentation and dissemination of monitoring findings and lessons learned.

• Guide the collection, consolidation, validation, and analysis of education program and sector data.

• Review and ensure the quality of the integrated education sector dashboard.

• Lead the beta testing and implementation of integrated education dashboards.

• Provide technical contributions to dashboards and data-visualization products.

• Assist with GPE SCG reporting and project closure, including monthly and final narrative reports.

• Consolidate implementation progress, achievements, indicators, challenges, mitigation strategies, and lessons learned.

• Prepare technical closure and handover documentation along with a concept note for the next GPE SCG project cycle.

• Review and finalize the capacity-development plan, providing technical inputs for training activities.

• Participate in technical meetings, consultations, and working groups.

• Coordinate technical inputs with UNESCO colleagues, consultants, and education partners.

• Prepare technical documentation, meeting materials, presentations, and follow-up notes.

• Track assigned activities and identify delays, risks, dependencies, and issues.

⛳️ Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, international development, public policy, economics, social sciences, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, or a related field.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in education sector planning, program implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation, education data, capacity development, or closely related fields.

• Proven experience supporting education sector planning, sector analysis, program planning, or implementing education system-strengthening initiatives.

• Experience in designing or executing monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks, results frameworks, indicators, and data collection systems.

• Background in conducting or managing quantitative and qualitative research and translating findings into policy- or program-relevant analyses.

• Proficiency in education data collection, quality assurance, analysis, reporting, and visualization.

• Experience preparing technical reports, analytical briefs, program reports, and presentations.

• Familiarity with designing or supporting capacity-development activities, including training plans, technical materials, and learning tools.

• Prior professional experience in the Afghanistan education sector.

• Experience working with multi-stakeholder education programs involving UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, and/or other education sector actors.

• Strong knowledge of education sector planning, programming, and results-based management.

• Excellent analytical and research skills, including the ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative evidence.

• Strong competencies in monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

• Proficient in education data management, quality assurance, analysis, and visualization.

• Capacity to translate complex evidence into clear, actionable program and policy recommendations.

• Strong technical writing and reporting abilities.

• Capability to design monitoring, research, and data collection methodologies and tools.

• Ability to develop capacity-development approaches and materials.

• Strong planning, organization, and prioritization skills; adept at managing multiple technical workstreams.

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.

• Strong communication, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.

• Sound judgment, discretion, and sensitivity in handling program and sector information.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

🏝️ Benefits

• UNESCO will cover Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and travel expenses in accordance with relevant UNESCO rules and regulations.

• Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, in line with UNESCO consultancy rates/monthly fees.

• Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.