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, support

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an International Consultant Foundational Learning and Skills Development. The duration of this assignment is 7 months starting as soon as possible and the consultant will be office based (hybrid).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

UNICEF seeks an experienced international individual Consultant for a consultancy work in a hybrid mode for a total of 140 working days across May to December 2025. At least 10 days of field visits/travel outside of Vientiane but within Laos should also be anticipated. In close coordination with MoES, UNICEF Lao PDR team and other key stakeholders, the consultant will provide his/her technical assistance in delivering the specified deliverables. The major scope of work would include:

• Scaling of adaptive learning initiative (EduTen) – Foundation Learning
• Localization of Tinkering with Tech (skills development) – STEM and 21st century skills development
• Updating of Khang Panya Lao (KPY) digital learning platform – Digital learning and skills
• Conceptualization of a strategic approach to addressing child marriage and early pregnancy that enables adolescent girls to stay in school and continue learning – Prevention of school dropout
• Evidence generation on key thematic areas and interventions – including (not limited to) tracking of students supported by MoES’ scholarship programme (targeting the most disadvantaged students), learning progression through EduTen, Tinkering with Tech and KPY (both teachers and students)
• In-country inception phase of the GPE (Global Partnership for Education) Tech for Ed Initiative linked to the development of the forthcoming Digital Education Strategy Action Plan, ensuring agreement among parties.

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

• Minimum 5 years of related experience in education development, particularly in the areas of the work specified in the TOR
• Work experience in development countries, especially those in Laos and/or Southeast Asia, and with the government and UN, is a strong asset.
• Experience in relevant technical work at national level as well as hands-on experience in sub-national level
• Strong interpersonal communication and coordination skills; team work skills
• Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required

Submission of applications: 

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents: 

• Letter of Interest (cover letter) 
• CV or Resume 
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available) 
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost, including travel, accommodation cost and insurance with medevac for this assignment as per work assignment. 

Assessment Criteria: 

A) Technical Evaluation (70 points)  

Advanced degree in education, social science, international development, or related fields. ………. (5 points) 

Minimum 5 years of related experience in education development, particularly in the areas of the work specified in the TOR........... (25 points) 

Work experience in development countries, especially those in Laos and/or Southeast Asia, and with the government and UN, is a strong asset............ (20 points) 

Experience in relevant technical work at national level as well as hands-on experience in sub-national level........... (10 points) 

Strong interpersonal communication and coordination skills; team work skills........... (5 points) 

Fluency in English, both oral and written........... (5 points) 

B) Financial Proposal (30 points) 

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 50 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price. 

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Please find attached the TOR here:  TOR_International Consultant Foundational Learning and Skills Development_VA.pdf

Financial Template to be filled by the consultant:  Financial Proposal Template-updated Oct 2024.doc

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

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.