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, Hope

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Higher Education of São Tomé and Príncipe (MECCES-STP), in partnership with UNICEF, is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the education sector, covering all levels of education. The 2019–2023 Education Policy Charter established strategic goals and priorities for the development of the education sector. After more than six years of implementation, it is necessary to carry out an in-depth analysis of the current state of the sector, gathering evidence to inform decisions on the adjustments and reforms to be adopted. This process aims to support the development of a new Education Policy Charter (CPE) for the 2026–2030 period, with a transformative approach aligned with the country’s needs. It is important to highlight that significant efforts have been made to strengthen the education system in São Tomé and Príncipe, with interventions across all levels of education. Currently, several projects are underway, supported by various partners, focusing on key priority areas, namely:

• improving the quality of education;
• promoting a safe and inclusive school environment;
• strengthening the production and use of data and evidence;
• and increasing access to education and the well-being of children.

The outcomes of the Education Transformation Summit, the Partnership Compact, the preliminary data from the Report on the State of the National Education System (RESEN), as well as the PASEC assessments, represent valuable sources of evidence that will inform the development of the EPC 2026–2030. Finally, it is worth highlighting that the drafting of the Education Policy Charter (EPC) for the 2026–2030 period will be accompanied by the corresponding Multiannual Sectoral Action Plan (MSAP) 2026–2030, which will outline the strategic and operational actions for the education sector in São Tomé and Príncipe. [Include information about the country/specific programme. 

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will be expected to implement the following activities:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, based on recent studies and assessments carried out in São Tomé and Príncipe in the education sector and other social and environmental sectors, to ensure that the development of the new policy document is integrated with current multisectoral and thematic approaches.
• Propose an evidence-based approach to ensure that the new education policy document is effective in its implementation, taking into account the challenges faced during the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the previous Education Policy Charter (EPC) 2019–2023.
• Coordinate and lead the process in a participatory manner, engaging various stakeholders through creative and innovative dynamics, while considering international/regional best practices and the local context.
• Design both documents, providing clear and precise guidance (a step-by-step process) to ensure ownership and engagement from all parties, based on the Theory of Change to be developed in the initial phase of the process.

If you would like to know more about this position and deliverables outlined, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TdR of reference Education_International or national Consultant To develop a new Education Policy Charter (CPE).pdf 

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

• Master's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Public administration, or relevant disciplines.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic planning and analysis, program design in public administration, and systems strengthening, as well as in developing strategies and action plans.
• Proven prior professional experience in designing capacity-building and management tools, as well as monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to work in a consultative manner under tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to build consensus among a wide range of high-level and technical stakeholders, including the UN, development partners, civil society, and government, both within and outside the sector.
• Sound understanding of Libya’s public financial management system, budget calendar, expenditure documentation, and institutional landscape for social protection is essential.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, computer literacy, and effective advocacy abilities.
• Fluency in Portuguese is a requirement; English/French/Spanish is an asset. 

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.