Consultant (Islamabad, Pakistan)

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract :Consultant Contract

Level :Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit :Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station :Islamabad

Work location : On site

Duration of contract: 5 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+5 Time) :26/07/2026

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

National Consultant

A. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment aims to support the effective coordination and implementation of the project “Empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Managers through Capacity Building for Institutional Transformation and Sustainable Development in Pakistan” under the supervision of the Head of Education, UNESCO Pakistan. It requires coordination among UNESCO-UNEVOC, GIZ Pakistan, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs), and other relevant stakeholders; support the organization of online and face-to-face training activities, workshops, and policy dialogues; assist in monitoring, reporting, documentation, and communication activities; and contribute to the overall achievement of the project objectives aimed at strengthening leadership and institutional capacities within Pakistan’s TVET sector.

B. BACKGROUND

The UNESCO-UNEVOC project "Empowering TVET Managers through Capacity Building for Institutional Transformation and Sustainable Development in Pakistan" is implemented under the multi-Donor Action co-financed by BMZ and the European Union. The project aims to strengthen the leadership and management capacities of 300 TVET managers at federal and provincial levels through a blended learning approach combining online learning, face-to-face workshops, and a national policy dialogue. The programme engages federal and provincial TVET institutions including NAVTTC, TEVTAs, Boards of Technical Education (BTEs), Trade Testing Boards (TTBs), and other relevant national stakeholders. UNESCO Islamabad serves as the in-country operational focal point, working in close coordination with UNESCO-UNEVOC in Bonn. To ensure effective in-country coordination and operational delivery of the programme's three main events - the online and face-to-face capacity-building training, the knowledge production activities, and the national policy dialogue - UNESCO seeks to engage a National Consultant based in Islamabad.

Long Description

C. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment aims to ensure effective in-country coordination, technical facilitation, and operational support for the implementation of the TVET Leadership and Management Capacity-Building Programme in Pakistan. The Consultant will serve as the key liaison between UNESCO Islamabad, UNESCO-UNEVOC, national stakeholders, and programme participants throughout the full implementation cycle.

The scope of the assignment includes supporting the coordination and implementation of the TVET leadership and management capacity-building programme in Pakistan. The Consultant will facilitate coordination with UNESCO-UNEVOC, GIZ, NAVTTC, TEVTAs, and other relevant stakeholders; support the organization of training activities, workshops, and policy dialogues; assist in monitoring, reporting, and documentation processes; and contribute to communication, visibility, and overall programme implementation in accordance with UNESCO procedures and project objectives.

ASSIGNMENTS

The main responsibilities of the Consultant shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Facilitate the Implementation of the Capacity-Building Programme

The Consultant will provide the following hands-on facilitation support for all three programme events: the online learning phase, the assignment phase and the face-to-face workshops. The consultant will liaise with training facilitators, international and national experts, and UNESCO-UNEVOC to ensure content readiness, logistical alignment, and participant preparedness ahead of each event; Facilitate the preparation of all event-related documents, including workshop agendas, concept notes, briefing materials, participant guides, and session presentations; Support the review and evaluation of online assignments, practical exercises and other deliverables submitted by participants enrolled in the programme; Support logistical arrangements for all face-to-face events (venues, equipment, catering, transportation) in close collaboration with UNESCO administrative staff; Provide on-site facilitation support during workshops sessions, including event management, coordination of breakout groups, and time management and ensure systematic documentation of each event, including attendance records, session notes, photographs, and immediate participant feedback.

Long Description

2. Support the Development of Knowledge Products (Field Data Collection)

The Consultant will provide the following direct technical and operational support to the knowledge production activities planned under the programme, with responsibility for field-level data collection. The Consultant will support the review, and finalization of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, including participant surveys, structured interview guides, focus group discussion protocols, and observation checklists; Organize and coordinate field data collection activities across federal and provincial TVET institutions, ensuring adequate coverage of target groups at top, middle, and entry management levels; Conduct or supervise interviews, surveys, and consultations with TVET managers, government officials, and institutional stakeholders as required; Compile, organize, and conduct preliminary analysis of collected data, providing structured summaries and datasets to UNESCO-UNEVOC and international experts for deeper analysis; Contribute substantively to the development of knowledge products, including the needs assessment report, the Handbook for TVET Leadership in Pakistan, programme evaluation reports, and case studies, by providing field-grounded evidence and institutional insights; and ensure that data collection activities respect ethical principles, data protection standards, and gender-sensitivity requirements.

Long Description

3. Support the Organization of the Policy Dialogue

The Consultant will play a key operational and facilitation role in the preparation and delivery of the national policy dialogue for top-level TVET management by undertaking the following tasks. The Consultant will: Support the development of the background documentation for the policy dialogue; Support the identification and invitation of high-level participants, including senior government officials from NAVTTC, TEVTAs, BTEs, TTBs, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT), and relevant development partners; Manage logistical arrangements for the event in coordination with UNESCO staff; Provide real-time facilitation support during the policy dialogue, including coordination of thematic sessions, documentation of key discussions, and management of time and group dynamics; Prepare a policy dialogue report capturing key findings, agreed positions, emerging recommendations, and a follow-up action matrix; and Support follow-up actions arising from the policy dialogue, including communication with participants and transmission of outputs to relevant stakeholders.

4. Facilitate Stakeholder Mobilization and Engagement

The Consultant will ensure active and sustained engagement of all relevant stakeholder profiles across the three events through the following: Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder mapping covering all relevant institutions and profiles, including federal and provincial government agencies, TVET institutions, development partners, private sector representatives, and training participants; Develop and implement strategies, mechanisms, and guidance to ensure the active participation, engagement, and successful completion of the programme by all participants and stakeholders, in close coordination with NAVTTC, TEVTAs, UNESCO-UNEVOC, and other relevant partners; Facilitate targeted outreach to ensure participation of priority profiles, including women managers, representatives of underserved provinces, and private sector TVET stakeholders; Maintain ongoing communication with all stakeholders before, during, and after programme events to sustain engagement and follow-through on commitments; and Document stakeholder feedback, concerns, and expectations, and ensure these are systematically reported to UNESCO-UNEVOC and relevant national counterparts.

5. Facilitate Operational Tasks, UNEVOC Missions, and Communication & Visibility

Provide the following operational support for programme implementation activities, including in support of UNESCO-UNEVOC field missions and communication objectives: Provide logistical, administrative, and coordination support for UNESCO-UNEVOC missions to Pakistan, including scheduling, stakeholder meeting arrangements, venue coordination, and mission documentation; Serve as the primary in-country operational contact for UNESCO-UNEVOC Bonn, ensuring timely information exchange, progress updates, and rapid response to operational needs; Support the implementation of the programme's communication and visibility plan, including preparation of social media content, event coverage materials, photo documentation, and web articles in coordination with UNESCO Islamabad's communication team; Maintain up-to-date records of all programme activities, including participant databases, activity logs, and monitoring data, in compliance with UNESCO procedures;Contribute to the preparation of periodic progress reports, briefing notes, monitoring updates, and donor reports as required by UNESCO-UNEVOC and UNESCO Islamabad; and Undertake any other operational tasks assigned by the Head of Education, UNESCO Islamabad, in support of the successful implementation of the programme.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT: The Consultant will operate under the overall guidance of the UNESCO Country Representative and the direct supervision of the Head of Education, UNESCO Islamabad Office. For the effective execution of the assignment, the Consultant will also maintain regular coordination with UNESCO-UNEVOC and follow the relevant reporting and communication channels established for the programme.

CONTRACT DURATION

Five months, effective from August to 31 December 2026.

DELIVERABLES

S. No.

Deliverables

Description

Timeline

Cost Distribution

D1

Inception Report

A structured document outlining:

• Detailed work plan aligned to the five functional areas
• Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategy
•  Communication and visibility plan

Within 2 weeks of contract signature

20%

D2

Implementation Support Report – Capacity-Building Programme

A structured report on operational facilitation support provided to the 3 parts of the capacity building programme events (online training, online assignments and face-to-face workshops)

By completion of all capacity-building events

20%

D3

Knowledge Production Support Package

A consolidated set of data collection and knowledge outputs, including:

• Quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments (surveys, interview guides, observation tools)
• Field data collection records and analysis notes
• Compiled datasets and summary of findings
• Input contributions to knowledge products (needs assessment, handbook, case studies)

Progressive delivery; consolidated package by month 4

20%

D4

Policy Dialogue Facilitation and Stakeholder Engagement Report

A report documenting the facilitation of the national policy dialogue and stakeholder mobilization, including:

• Stakeholder identification, mapping and engagement records
• Policy dialogue organization documents (agenda, concept note, briefing materials)
• Facilitation notes and proceedings
• Follow-up action matrix with responsible parties and timelines
• Communication and visibility outputs related to the event

Within 2 weeks following the policy dialogue

20%

Long Description

D5

Final Consultancy Report

A comprehensive end-of-assignment report covering:

• Summary of all activities and outputs achieved under the five functional areas
• Assessment of progress against planned deliverables
• Lessons learned and good practices
• Challenges encountered and mitigation measures applied
• Recommendations for sustainability and follow-up

By end of contract

20%

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (master’s level or equivalent) in Education, TVET, Public Policy, Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, or a related field

WORK EXPERIENCE: 

1. Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in project coordination, education, TVET, capacity development, or development cooperation;
2. Demonstrated experience in coordinating training programmes, workshops, and multi-stakeholder engagement activities;
3. Demonstrated experience in field data collection using quantitative and/or qualitative methods;
4. Experience in drafting technical documents, reports, and programme materials;
5. Experience working with or supporting government institutions, development partners, or UN agencies.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES: 

• Excellent communication, analytical, report-writing skills and database packages.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong coordination and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and online collaboration platforms.

LANGUAGES: 

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of Urdu would be useful.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.