OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : [[Education]]

Duty Station: [[Apia, Samoa]]

Classification of duty station: [[Field Office]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[1 to 6 months]]

Job Family: [[Programmes]]

Type of contract : [[Individual Consultant]]

Duration of contract : [[3 months]]

Recruitment open to : [[External Candidates]]

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : [[27 August 2023]]

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

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

BACKGROUND

UNESCO leads the development of a renewed Roadmap, Beyond Limits: New Ways to Reinvent Higher Education, informed by contributions from global stakeholders. The Roadmap calls for substantive changes that clear paths for inclusive quality higher education (HED). In this transformation, the Roadmap identifies six challenges: (i) enabling people’s rights to HED through equitable and sustainable access; (ii) shift from restrictive focus on disciplinary or professional training to more holistic student learning; (iii) inter- and trans-disciplinary open dialogue and promote diverse perspectives; (iv) realizing lifelong learning approach and flexible learning pathways; (v) considering all types of programmes, formal-nonformal, on-campus, hybrid and online); and (vi) learners manage their own leaning pathways using various technological options. UNESCO leads the development of a renewed Roadmap, Beyond Limits: New Ways to Reinvent Higher Education, informed by contributions from global stakeholders. The Roadmap calls for substantive changes that clear paths for inclusive quality higher education (HED). In this transformation, the Roadmap identifies six challenges: (i) enabling people’s rights to HED through equitable and sustainable access; (ii) shift from restrictive focus on disciplinary or professional training to more holistic student learning; (iii) inter- and trans-disciplinary open dialogue and promote diverse perspectives; (iv) realizing lifelong learning approach and flexible learning pathways; (v) considering all types of programmes, formal-nonformal, on-campus, hybrid and online); and (vi) learners manage their own leaning pathways using various technological options.

At the 24th and 25th Consultation Meetings of the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES) in 2021 and 2023, the PHES discussed consideration for quality assurance of higher education in the Pacific, including the on-going transformation to online and blended learning and shared experiences and aspirations for strengthening higher education opportunities in Pacific. PHES dialogued the needs for better coordination and linkages between higher education, industries and the workforce, as well as meeting the diverse needs for higher education and importance of inter-disciplinary approaches, research capacity, issues of labor mobility and brain drain. Ensuring learning outcomes of the education system as a whole including higher education, the increasing role of technologies, and the importance of concerted efforts to improve equitable access to quality higher education across regional and national institutions were also raised.

Long Description

OBJECTIVES

In this context, this proposed consultancy is to assess the status of higher education development and UNESCO’s support needs in member states and among higher education institutions in this transformation in the context of Pacific SIDS, which was also accelerated through COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed work will (i) consult on national university development in Tonga and Solomon Islands and explore the possibility in Kiribati to identify priority areas of UNESCO’s assistance; (iii) update the status and support needs of preparatory work towards ratification of Regional and Global Convention(s) by Samoa, Fiji, Niue, and Cook Islands and (ii) explore the possibility of establishing a UNESCO supported Pacific higher education consortium in consultation with the regional and national universities and other tertiary institutions, Ministries of Education and other stakeholders, as per endorsed by 25th PHES and in conjunction with an existing network which focuses on the research aspect. The consultancy will also organize at least two information webinars for the region to deepen understanding on the benefits and processes of the Regional and Global Conventions ratification. The consultancy work is to be done in close consultation and guidance under the UNESCO Pacific office.

TASKS

1. Consult with key stakeholders and explore viable options for UNESCO supported Pacific higher education consortium possibility. This would include the scope, objectives, membership, modality, and lead institution(s) in partnership with UNESCO.
2. In close collaboration with UNESCO Pacific office, identify UNESCO support needs for national university development the Pacific, in particular in Tonga and Solomon Islands and exploration in higher education options in Kiribati, FSM and RMI.
3. Update the status and support needs towards the ratification of regional/global conventions of higher education in Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Fiji.
4. Organize at least two information webinars for the Pacific member states to inform processes and examples towards the Tokyo and Global Conventions of Higher Education.
5. Summarize recommended actions to be considered for implementation during the biennium 2024-2025, cost estimates as much as feasible, and key partner institution(s) (existing and potential) with coordinates.

Long Description

OUTPUTS AND TIMEFRAME

1. Submit Interim report on Tasks #3 and #2 on stakeholder consultations and background research by Sept 29, 2023.
2. Schedule agenda and draft invitations for two information webinars by Sept 29, 2023.
3. Submit Interim report on Task #1 on stakeholder consultations and background research by Oct 31, 2023.
4. Delivery of one information webinar and list of participants by Oct 31, 2023.
5. Final Report with summary recommendations with cost estimates and key partners (Task #5) to be submitted by Nov 30, 2023.
6. Delivery of the second information webinar and list of participants by Nov 30, 2023.

Long Description

MODALITY

• The assignment will be home-based and provide support virtually.
• The duration of the assignment is for three months intermittently starting on the 1 September to the 30 November 2023.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in education, social science or other related areas is required.

Work experience and other requirements:

• Solid knowledge and experience in higher education research, institutional and partnership development;
• Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of emerging developments and needs in higher education, including effective usage and considerations of technologies;
• Experience in working and coordinating with government, higher education institutions, industry and other stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect and to handle sensitive communication constructively;
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience working on national, regional or international education programmes/systems;
• Understanding of human rights approach, gender equality and their application in policies, and programming;
• Ability to take initiatives and produce quality outputs in a timely manner;
• Ability to accommodate frequent virtual meetings within Pacific work hours

Languages (Essential): English

Knowledge of Office ICTs: Standard office software for communication, reporting, remote meeting, presentations, and other functions needed for the assignment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in Pacific region.
• Experience in establishing and/or managing higher education networks.
• Experience managing and administering higher education institutions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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