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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Results  

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

Background

As reported in the 2024 UNESCO Global report on teachers: Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession, teachers play a critical role in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals SDG 4- equitable, inclusive, and quality education with lifelong learning opportunities for all. Qualified teachers have been found to be the most significant school factor linked to students' learning progress. This association has been recognized in high level international meetings including the 2021 International Commission on the Futures of Education; the 2023 Transforming Education Summit (TES), where the "transformative role of teachers shaping the future of education" was emphasized.

As part of its Plan for Global Evaluations, UNICEF is conducting the "Evaluation of UNICEF contributions to teacher development and improved learning outcomes." This evaluation recognizes the importance of supporting teachers and teaching, indicating that "the number and functions, deployment, capability and working conditions of teachers are key determinants of learning; as are time-on-task, pedagogical practice and accountability for learning outcomes", as described in the 2019–2030 UNICEF Education Strategy. The evaluation is scheduled to be conducted between October 2024 and May 2025, with a sample of around 20 countries selected for in-depth analyses

Role of the National Consultant

We are seeking a junior national consultant to collaborate with the international evaluation consultants conducting the global evaluation, with support for the in-depth data collection mission in Sri Lanka. The methodology for the Sri Lanka data collection and analyses plan is guided by and consistent with the methodology proposed for the global evaluation. It is expected that the international evaluation consultants will lead the evaluation for consistency, the local knowledge and experience of a national consultant are crucial. The national consultant’s overall objective is to support the preparation, coordination and execution of the mission under the direction of the evaluation team leader.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of mission: Under the direction of the Team Leader, support the preparation of the mission, including support to the team leader in documentation review in local language, scheduling key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus groups and logistics. (3 days)
• Stakeholder engagement: Support during interviews with key stakeholders, including Ministry of Education officials, local government officials, and implementing partners. (3 days)
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Help facilitate FGDs with teachers, including interpretation if necessary, and provide notes and reflections to the team leader. (1 day)
• Debriefing and reporting: Participate in debriefing sessions with the international evaluation consultants, provide notes and comments on the briefing report. (day)

Activities /Tasks

Support the preparation of the mission, including scheduling key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus groups, logistics and support organizing orientation with Ministry of Education and UNICEF evaluation team - 10 days

Support during interviews with key stakeholders, including local government officials and implementing partners - 4 days

Help facilitate FGDs with teachers, including interpretation if necessary, and provide notes and reflections to the team - 1 day

Participate in debriefing sessions with the international evaluation consultants and provide support, notes and comments on the report - 3 days

Ethical considerations

Consultants involved in the assessment must ensure the absence of conflicts of interest and proactively declare any potential risks of bias. The assessment process must uphold impartiality and independence, safeguarding against undue influence. To adhere to the highest ethical standards, all consultants are required to sign and comply with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Code of Conduct for Evaluation. This includes maintaining confidentiality, respecting stakeholders' rights, and ensuring a transparent and inclusive evaluation process. Additionally, any primary data collection involving beneficiaries or adolescents must secure ethical clearance from an independent ethical review board.

Duty station:  Sri Lanka (home based)

Duration:     Feb-April (18 days)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education/ Experience /Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

 Education:

University degree- master’s in education, social sciences, economics, development studies, studies evaluation or related fields, with demonstrated research experience

Experience -

At least 3 years of experience in education, political science, sociology, or related fields, with previous experience in teacher development.

Up-to-date knowledge and experience in teacher development, obtained through research, programming, or academic endeavours, is an asset.

Proven experience in evaluation and programme reviews is an added advantage.

Familiarity with UNICEF programming and management systems is an added advantage.

Strong experience in writing reports, documentation to convey programming efforts.

Experience with the ethics of evidence generation; familiarity with ethical safeguards.

High proficiency in Sinhala, Tamil, English, and other local languages language, communication, and writing skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate in LKR to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable) 

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered  

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.