Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Beirut
Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]
Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 14-June-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) is a key component of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education while promoting lifelong learning for all. SDG 4 encompasses ten targets, including goals focused on primary and secondary education, access to quality pre-primary education, vocational training, and the promotion of education for sustainable development (ESD) and global citizenship education (GCED). These targets seek to address education access, quality, equity, and learning outcomes, ensuring that individuals worldwide are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for personal growth and societal development.
SDG 4.7 is a key target under the broader SDG 4 on quality education. It calls on countries to ensure that, by 2030, all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. This includes, among others, education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. SDG 4.7 emphasizes the transformative role of education in shaping values, attitudes, and behaviors that support inclusive, just, and sustainable societies.
In November 2023, countries adopted at UNESCO the Recommendation on education for peace and human rights, international understanding, cooperation, fundamental freedoms, global citizenship and sustainable development. The overarching aim of this Recommendation is to provide guidance to Member States (MS) in their efforts to infuse into education, by taking a multi-stakeholder approach, the purposes set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, the Constitution of UNESCO, the International Bill of Human Rights, and other relevant international human rights instruments.
PURPOSE
UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, as the secretariat of the regional coordination, monitoring and reporting on SDG4 in the Arab States, is planning to organize a series of online technical meetings to raise the awareness of Member States about the existence of the Recommendation and its content, to be followed by a regional workshop to develop a regional roadmap aiming at supporting the operationalization of the Recommendation in the Arab countries.
By bringing together key stakeholders from across the Arab region, this initiative seeks to foster a shared understanding of the 2023 Recommendation and facilitate its meaningful integration into national education systems.
The process will be implemented in two main phases:
Online Technical Meetings with Member State Focal Points and Stakeholders – July/August
One or more technical meetings will be held with the designated focal points for the Recommendation in Arab countries and other relevant stakeholders. These sessions aim to:
2. Regional Workshop to Develop a Regional Roadmap – September
Building on the outcomes of the online meetings, a regional in-person workshop will be convened. The objective of the workshop will be to come up with a Regional Roadmap that:
Under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for UN Coordination for the Arab States and UNESCO Representative to Lebanon and Syria and direct supervision of the relevant Programme Specialist, the Consultant shall undertake the following tasks:
Desk Review and Mapping Identify existing national and regional initiatives that align with or support the implementation of the Recommendation. Map key actors and institutional mechanisms relevant to value-based education in the region.Support the Online Meetings Contribute to the design of the agenda, content, and facilitation methodology for online technical meetings with Member State focal points and stakeholders. Develop background notes, guiding questions, and supporting materials to frame discussions. Moderate the online meetings, document discussions, and synthesize key findings, insights, and country inputs. Identify emerging themes, challenges, and opportunities across national contexts.
3. Preparation for Regional Workshop
Draft a concept note and agenda for the regional workshop, incorporating inputs from the online meetings. Propose an interactive and participatory methodology to co-develop the regional roadmap with workshop participants. Prepare presentations, tools, and templates to guide group work and discussions. Lead the moderation of the Regional Workshop.4. Development of the Regional Roadmap
Lead the drafting of the regional roadmap for the operationalization of the Recommendation in the Arab States, based on inputs from the meetings and workshop. Ensure the roadmap includes strategic priority areas, proposed actions, timelines, and roles for implementation at both national and regional levels. Propose coordination and monitoring mechanisms, as well as linkages with other regional and global education commitments, including SDG 4.7. Ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality, inclusion and safeguarding aspects in the roadmap. Present the roadmap during an online meeting to all the stakeholders who participated in the process to gather feedback.
5. Finalization and Reporting
Revise and finalize the regional roadmap based on feedback from UNESCO and involved stakeholders. Submit a final report summarizing the process, methodology, key findings, and recommendations for follow-up actions. Provide all relevant annexes, including meetings/workshop materials and summaries.
Inception Report: including detailed work plan with timeline and methodology, initial outline of the roadmap, and preliminary mapping of relevant initiatives and key actors in the region. Technical Package for Online Meetings: including agenda, background notes, guiding questions, presentation slides, supporting materials…etc. Regional Workshop Package: including concept note and finalized agenda, presentation slides, group work templates, and facilitation tools. Draft Regional Roadmap with clear articulation of strategic priorities, actions, implementation roles, timeline, and monitoring mechanisms. Final Regional Roadmap after incorporating UNESCO and stakeholders comments. Final Consultancy Report: Narrative report outlining the overall process, methodology, key findings, challenges, and recommendations for next steps.
Academic qualifications
Master’s degree or higher in education, international development, or other related social sciences, or equivalent years of experience in the field of ESD/GCED.
Work Experience
7 years of proven knowledge and experience in Education, Social Sciences, GCED, ESD, Peace and Human Rights Education (GCED/ESD – SDG Target 4.7) or any other related fields Knowledge of UNESCO’s position in GCED and ESD. Experience in designing and facilitating interactive workshops. Previous experience working with UNESCO, UN agencies, or other international organizations.
Language
Excellent written and spoken English. Arabic is an asset.
Skills/competences
Strong strategic and analytical skills. Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender and national contexts. Strong organizational, networking, and partnership-building skills. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within teams. Excellent writing and communication skills (both oral and written).
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members 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. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
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