Working Group and Research Coordinator

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultancy  

Level : Middle

Hiring Unit : Education

Duty Station : Khartoum

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 11 months

Hiring open to : Internal and External candidates.

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+2 Time) : 18.11.2026

 

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

BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW

Sudan’s education sector continues to operate in a complex and rapidly evolving context, requiring sustained coordination among national authorities, development partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations and other education stakeholders. Within this environment, maintaining a common framework for sector priorities, coordinated planning and policy dialogue is essential to ensure that available resources and technical support contribute coherently to national education objectives.

The Sudan Transitional Education Plan (TEP) 2025–2027 provides this overarching framework, establishing agreed priorities for the education sector and guiding collective efforts towards maintaining access to education, improving teaching and learning, and strengthening the capacity and resilience of the education system. It also provides an important basis for aligning partner interventions, monitoring sector progress and identifying areas requiring further technical and policy attention.

The Local Education Group (LEG) serves as the principal sector coordination and dialogue platform supporting this process. It brings together key education stakeholders to promote alignment around national priorities, facilitate information sharing and consultation, review progress and challenges, and strengthen coordination between government and education partners. Through its technical structures and engagement with sector partners, the LEG supports collective oversight of TEP implementation and provides a platform through which technical evidence and sector priorities can inform strategic dialogue and decision-making.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

UNESCO OFFICE

The UNESCO Sudan Office supports national efforts to advance education, science, culture, communication and information in line with UNESCO’s mandate and national development priorities. Working closely with government institutions, UN agencies, development partners and civil society, the Office provides technical assistance, supports capacity development, promotes policy dialogue and facilitates coordination in UNESCO’s areas of competence.

In the education sector, UNESCO works closely with the national education authorities and sector partners to support education planning, policy development, system strengthening and institutional capacity development. Particular attention is given to strengthening sector coordination, education data and planning, teacher development, inclusive and equitable education, alternative learning pathways, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and evidence-informed decision-making. In the current context, UNESCO also plays an important role in supporting coordinated implementation and monitoring of national education priorities through the TEP and the LEG.

CONSULTANCY RATIONALE/SCOPE OF THE CONSULATNCY

PROJECT BACKGROUND 

 

The Sudan Transitional  Education Programme (TEP) 2025–2027 serves as the primary strategic framework for advancing national education priorities, strengthening sector policy dialogue, and supporting system-level reforms. It provides an overarching framework for coordinating and monitoring priority interventions and for promoting greater alignment among government, development partners and other education stakeholders. The System Capacity Grant (SCG) complements the TEP by providing targeted support to strengthen institutional capacities, technical mechanisms and coordination structures required for effective implementation of sector priorities.

Within this framework, the Local Education Group (LEG) Technical Working Groups (TWGs) provide important technical platforms for translating sector priorities into coordinated technical action. The TWGs contribute to the implementation and monitoring of the TEP, facilitate technical dialogue and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, and support research and evidence generation to inform policy and sector decision-making. They also provide an important link between specialized technical work and the broader strategic dialogue and coordination undertaken through the LEG.

The consultancy will provide dedicated coordination, research and technical support to strengthen the effective functioning and sustainability of the TWGs. This will include facilitating coordination within and across the Working Groups, strengthening their linkages with the LEG, supporting their contributions to TEP implementation and monitoring, and coordinating relevant research and evidence-generation activities. The consultancy will also support relevant SCG-funded activities and help ensure that TWG technical outputs, evidence and recommendations are systematically documented, followed up and used to inform sector dialogue and decision-making.

CONSULTANCY RATIONALE/SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY

This consultancy will support the effective functioning, coordination, and sustainability of the LEG Technical Working Groups (TWGs), ensuring that they serve as effective technical mechanisms for advancing TEP implementation, research and evidence generation, implementation of relevant SCG activities, and sector policy dialogue.

The consultancy will strengthen linkages between the TWGs and the LEG, promote collaboration across Working Groups, and ensure that their work and outputs contribute effectively to TEP implementation, monitoring, research, policy development, and sector-level decision-making.

Long Description

CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVES

Under the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Office in Sudan and the direct supervision of the Head of Education Programme, and in close coordination with LEG Coordinator, the consultant should support the effective functioning, coordination, and sustainability of the LEG Technical Working Groups and strengthen their contribution to TEP implementation, monitoring, research and evidence generation, SCG activities, and sector policy dialogue. The specific tasks of Consultancy would include:

 

T1: Manage day-to-day TWG operations, including workplans, meeting schedules, agendas, facilitation, documentation, visibility and continuous follow-up with focal points and members.

 

T2: Strengthen cross-TWG coordination and linkages with the LEG; streamline TWG outputs and recommendations for LEG consideration and follow up on relevant LEG decisions.

 

T3: Coordinate TWG contributions to TEP implementation, monitoring and review, including follow-up on activities and indicators, technical inputs, review processes, and sector consultations.

 

T4: Coordinate research and evidence generation, establish and operationalize the National Research Group, support relevant SCG activities, facilitate technical follow-up on priority areas, and maintain documentation, trackers, knowledge products, and periodic reporting.

Long Description

TIMELINES, DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Level of effort: This consultancy requires up to 20 working days per month, with regular engagement at least three times per week with the  TWGs, UNESCO, the Ministry of Education, and relevant LEG partners.

 

Deliverable: A Monthly Technical Working Groups Coordination and Progress Report.

The monthly report will cover the status of TWG meetings, workplans and action points; progress against TWG priorities and activities; and TWG contributions to TEP implementation and monitoring, and any recommendations for improvements.

 

It will also cover research and evidence-generation activities, the National Research Group and researcher collaborations; relevant SCG-supported activities; cross-TWG coordination and inputs to the LEG; and technical products completed during the month.

CONTRACT DURATION

11 months.

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 degree or PhD) in Education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Research Methods, or a closely related field.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 5 years of progressive professional experience in the education sector, with a proven track record of coordinating technical working groups, sector committees, or multi-stakeholder platforms.

Demonstrated understanding of LEG architecture, GPE processes, TEP and SCG; proven experience managing research and evidence-generation agendas; and solid experience engaging Ministry officials, UNESCO, UN agencies, and international development partners.

 

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Strong project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple workstreams, track actions, and deliver high-quality technical products under tight deadlines.

Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, including the ability to translate technical outputs, research papers, and data into concise policy briefs and progress reports; strong professional report, minutes, and terms-of-reference writing skills.

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LANGUAGES

Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English.

 

 

Long Description

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

 

Work Experience

• Experience supporting Local Education Groups (LEGs), Technical Working Groups, Education Clusters, or comparable multi-stakeholder education coordination mechanisms.
• Previous experience working on GPE-funded programmes, particularly System Capacity Grants (SCG) or education sector planning and implementation processes.
• Experience coordinating or managing education research, assessments, evaluations, or evidence-generation initiatives, including collaboration with national and international researchers.

 

Skills/Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Sudan’s education sector context, institutional structures, and current sector priorities.
• Familiarity with TEP implementation and monitoring, GPE processes, and SCG programming.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple technical workstreams and facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Strong research coordination, analytical, synthesis, and knowledge-management skills.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

UNESCO invites qualified individual consultants to submit their applications through the UNESCO Careers Website.

Applicants should submit:

1. CV and Cover Letter.
2. Technical Approach Statement (maximum 3 pages) outlining the proposed methodology and approach to setting up, operationalizing, and managing the National Research Group, including coordination between national and international researchers.
3. Financial Proposal with the expected daily fee in USD, considering a level of effort of up to 20 working days per month.

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.