Consultant

UNESCO is recruiting a Consultant for their Somalia office. The successful candidate will bring strong Consultancies experience spanning at least 5 - 6 years. The closing date for this vacancy is Nov, 13.

Type of contract :

Consultant Contract

Level :

Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit :

Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station

Somalia

Work

location :

On site

Duration of contract

:

2 months

Hiring open to :

External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+3 Time) :

13/11/2026

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

OVERVIEW

UNESCO and UNICEF are supporting the Government of Somalia through the Peacebuilding Fund project Building Peace Through Religious Education in Somalia. The project promotes peacebuilding, social cohesion, inclusive teaching and safeguarding in traditional and Integrated Quranic Schools. The teacher-training component will build on the Peace Curriculum developed with the ulema network, resources from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (MEISA), UNESCO's Transformative Pedagogy for Peacebuilding and UNICEF safeguarding expertise.

Long Description

O

bjective of the consultancy

The consultant will support the preparation and implementation of a needs assessment and focus group discussions, and lead the analysis and reporting of findings. The assignment will identify teachers' capacities, community expectations and practical requirements for the subsequent teacher-training programme. It does not include developing the full training package or delivering Master Trainer training.

ASSIGNMENTS

Scope of work

The consultant will work under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and the direct supervision of the UNESCO Project Manager in Mogadishu, with technical guidance from the Education team of the Regional Office and UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) and in coordination with the UNESCO project team, UNICEF and relevant government counterparts.

1. Review existing evidence.

Review available Peace Curriculum, MoECHE and MEISA materials, previous consultations, Quranic-school mapping and relevant UNESCO/IICBA/UNICEF resources. Identify existing evidence and gaps to guide the assessment, without undertaking a comprehensive curriculum revision.

Long Description

1. Refine the methodology and tools.

Develop and refine the research questions, sampling approach, questionnaires and discussion guides with the project team. Cover teaching practices, peacebuilding, safeguarding, gender and inclusion, community expectations and conditions for training. Ensure clear Somali wording, cultural appropriateness and suitability for analysis.

1. Support testing and data collection.

Support pre-testing and revision of the tools; prepare facilitator guidance and brief designated field personnel on the methodology and agreed safeguards, including informed consent, confidentiality, secure data handling, Do No Harm and referral of protection concerns through agreed channels. Provide methodological support during implementation, check coverage and data quality, and document constraints and deviations from the agreed approach. Organization and conduct of focus group discussions in Jubaland and Banadir may be included in the assignment (to be decided in consultation with relevant government authorities).

Long Description

1. Process and analyse findings.

Consolidate, clean and code survey data and qualitative records from both locations. Analyse data by school type, location and relevant inclusion dimensions; triangulate with existing evidence and explain limitations. Maintain a documented dataset and coding framework.

1. Report and support the use of findings.

Prepare an integrated report, presentation and matrix linking findings to teacher-training requirements. Contribute to the stakeholder consultation, incorporate consolidated feedback and hand over final reports, instruments and data to UNESCO.

CONTRACT DURATION

2.5 Months

DELIVERABLES

Deliverables and indicative timing

D.1. Inception package (Methodology, sample, instruments, field responsibilities, safeguards, analysis plan and work schedule), Indicative timing: Weeks 1-2

D.2. Data package (Cleaned and coded data, qualitative records, coding framework and data-quality/coverage note), Indicative timing: Weeks 3-6

D.3. Draft findings (Integrated report, presentation and matrix linking evidence to teacher-training requirements), Indicative timing: Weeks 7-8

D.4. Final package (Revised report and supporting materials, response to feedback and agreed data handover), Indicative timing: Weeks 9-10

Note: Timing is indicative and subject to confirmation. Reports will be submitted in English and agreed field instruments in Somali. All deliverables must be provided in editable formats

.

Long Description

Working arrangements and safeguards

Planning assumptions are 40 assessment sites and focus group discussions in 12 schools, subject to confirmation. UNESCO will coordinate counterpart engagement, field access, logistics and field facilitation. Direct fieldwork and travel assigned to this consultant must be specified before contracting; separate Jubaland facilitation is not automatically included. The methodology, sample and instruments require UNESCO technical clearance before use. UNICEF will be consulted on safeguarding; any IICBA review will follow the agreed support arrangement.

Apply informed consent, confidentiality, secure data handling and Do No Harm throughout. Ensure voluntary participation and safe opportunities for female teachers and other participants to contribute. Any direct engagement with children requires prior approval, age-appropriate methods and agreed consent, assent and safeguarding arrangements. Refer protection concerns through agreed channels.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

For detailed information, please consult the

UNESCO Competency Framework

.

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

About Somalia

Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa and has a growing job market, particularly in the humanitarian, development, and private sectors. Major employment hubs include Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, Baidoa, and Kismayo, with opportunities from international NGOs, UN agencies, government institutions, and an expanding private sector.

Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Shaqo Soomaaliya • La-talinta • Shaqo Cusub • La-talin

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Required qualifications

WORK EXPERIENCE

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

LANGUAGES

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in education, social sciences, applied social research, peace studies or a related field.

• At least five years of relevant experience in education research, training-needs assessment or social research, including survey design, quantitative and qualitative enquiry and analysis.
• Experience conducting research or consultations in Somalia, with knowledge of traditional and Integrated Quranic education and the institutional and community context.

• Ability to work with teachers, government counterparts, religious scholars and communities, and apply gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive and safeguarding approaches.
• Strong analytical, planning and communication skills;
• Experience in teacher professional development, peace education or work with UN/international development partners would be an asset.

• Fluency in written and spoken Somali and English.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Long Description

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.

Apply on employer site

Apply at: https://www.unesco.org/en/careers