Consultancy for Developing Handbook on Education Admin Data - Module on Tech & Vocational Training

UNESCO; Montreal; Remote; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

UNESCO seeks a Senior Expert Consultant to develop a modular handbook on measuring technical and vocational education and training (TVET) using administrative data. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree and demonstrated expertise in educational data systems, along with experience creating practical guidance documents. This contract, lasting from 7 to 11 months, offers an opportunity to influence education systems through research-driven modules.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior-level expertise in national TVET data and statistical systems.
• Experience developing practical guidance documents or handbooks.
• Strong understanding of international statistical standards relevant to education data.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and draft the handbook module on TVET.
• Draft content prioritizing indicators and institutional environment for data production.
• Review feedback and ensure alignment with standards.

Skills

Communication

Research

Data Analysis

Project Management

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in education, statistics, social sciences, public policy

Job description

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector:UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station:Montreal

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family:Education

Type of contract:Non Staff

Duration of contract:From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to:External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time):18/06/2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background and objectives

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) plans to develop a practical, authoritative, and referenceable resource on education administrative data systems and their statistical use. This resource will be a modular handbook designed for enhanced usability and adaptability, allowing countries to adopt modules incrementally. The handbook aims to build on existing resources, including LASER, EMIS and ISCED), and provide countries and other stakeholders with a blueprint for action and insight in strengthening their education administrative data systems. The current plan of the modular series includes topics on legal frameworks and institutional setup on administrative data, higher education, technical and vocational education and training, early childhood care and education, and teachers.

UIS seeks to engage a Senior Expert Consultant to develop the module on measuring technical and vocational education and training (TVET) via administrative data.

Long Description

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

The Senior Expert Consultant is expected to carry out the research and draft the handbook module measuring TVET via administrative data. More specifically, the specific responsibilities of the expert consultant will include:
• Conducting background research and data analyses relevant to the module.

• Drafting comprehensive content for the module, including but not limited to:
oPriority indicators emerging from global, regional and national policy monitoring frameworks regarding TVET, including concepts, definitions (within ISCED), calculation methods and data requirements, highlighting administrative data.
oInstitutional environment for the production of required administrative data on TVET, including legislation and policies on TVET; provision, management and funding of TVET programmes and institutions, etc relevant to data collection, compilation and reporting.
oProduction of required administrative data on TVET, including process and procedures of administrative data collection and reporting, inter-ministerial/agency coordination for data production, data flow and sharing, etc.
oProcedures and practices of data standardization and quality assurance, including data harmonization and validation to create cohesive datasets.
oChallenges such as incomplete data coverage of TVET programmes and institutions, overlapping definitions, duplication, etc, and solutions and good practices.
oDevelopment of case studies from relevant countries.
oDrafting of tools such as checklists, sample legislation, indicator lists, data templates, metadata standards, and reporting frameworks, as appropriate for the module.

•Incorporating relevant international statistical standards and existing technical sources (e.g., ISCED, LASER, EMIS).
•Reviewing and incorporating feedback on drafts from the UIS team and other reviewers.
•Ensuring the module aligns with the overall objectives and structure of the handbook.
•Contributing to the development of annexes such as glossaries, templates, and references.

Long Description

Deliverables

The primary deliverables will be well-written and comprehensive modules as agreed upon with UIS, with the target publication date of Feb 2026. More specifically:
Deliverable 1 (1 month)
• Module outline, including case studies, tools and templates

• Module development plan, including milestones in view of the target publication date

Deliverable 2 (4 months)
•First draft of the module, including case studies, tools and templates (as appropriate)

Deliverable 3 (2 months)
•Final draft of the modules, incorporating feedback from UIS and other reviewers

Cost and technical arrangements
The total consultancy fee will be agreed upon in advance. Payments will be made upon acceptance of deliverables, as per the schedule below:

Deliverable 1:20%
Deliverable 2:50%
Deliverable 3:30%

The consultant is responsible for ensuring the quality and timely delivery of all outputs, with no additional costs to UIS beyond the agreed contract amount. Two weeks following the final deliverable due date are added for the UIS to complete all required revisions and administrative procedures, if needed.This assignment will be carried out remotely. Communication will primarily be through email, video conferencing, and other virtual platforms. The Consultant is responsible for the cost of any expenses in connection with the contract.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework . REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in education, statistics, social sciences, public policy, or a related field.

Experience

• Demonstrated senior-level expertise in national TVET data and statistical systems.
• Demonstrated experience in developing practical guidance documents, handbooks, or similar resources.
• Strong understanding of international statistical standards and frameworks relevant to education data (e.g., ISCED 2011, SDG 4 indicators).

Language

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Experience working with international organizations or government agencies on education data systems is highly desirable.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.

APPLICATION PROCESS

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

A cover letter outlining the candidate’s interest, qualifications, availability, and proposed consultancy fee;

An updated CV

Two samples of relevant work in education data and statistics, ideally related to the module.

Only the proposals that include all the four aforementioned elements will be considered. Failure to provide any of those will result in an incomplete application which will not be considered.

UNESCO places significant importance on achieving the objectives outlined in the Terms of Reference. Consequently, the evaluation of proposals will prioritize the technical components. From the proposals that meet the criteria specified in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO will select the one that provides the best value for money for the Organization.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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.

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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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