Technical and Vocational Education and Training

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Ukraine

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) :

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

Duration of contract: 6 months with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Nationals and Internationals may apply for this position.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine is strengthening its engagement in the area of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in response to the evolving needs of Ukraine's education and skills ecosystem, particularly within the broader context of preparing for post-war recovery, socio-economic reconstruction, and labour market transformation.

In recent years, numerous international and national partners have contributed to launch initiatives to reform, modernize, and digitalize Ukraine's TVET system. However, there is currently a need to map and analyze those efforts in order to identify synergies, overlaps, and potential gaps. This will allow UNESCO to strategically position itself as a key partner in TVET, in line with the UNESCO Strategy for TVET (2022–2029) and with the Government of Ukraine's priorities on TVET reform after recent adoption of Law on Professional/Vocational Education.

To support this objective, UNESCO is recruiting a national or international TVET consultant to conduct analytical work and resource mobilization.

This is a home-based consultancy, with several missions to Kyiv which will be agreed with the consultant. 

Long Description

The objective of this assignment is to support UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine in:

•    Understanding the national TVET landscape through mapping of actors, projects, and initiatives.

•    Identifying gaps and opportunities for UNESCO's engagement and programme development.

•    Developing partnerships and mobilizing resources for new TVET initiatives.

•    Representing UNESCO in national and international coordination mechanisms on TVET and Skills more in general.

•    Ensuring alignment with global UNESCO strategies and frameworks on skills development.

Under the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine, the direct supervision of the Head of Education and the guidance of the Section for Youth, Literacy and Skills Development at UNESCO Headquarters, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for TVET, and other relevant partners, the consultant is responsible for carrying out the work stipulated under this terms of reference. The following section outlines potential components to be carried out during the consultancy period that would be further discussed and determined with the expert in the inception phase. 

Key responsibilities

Analytical and strategic mapping:

•    Conduct a comprehensive mapping of TVET actors, programmes, and initiatives in Ukraine (governmental, international, UN agencies, NGO, and private sector), including analysis of focus areas, coverage, target groups, and funding levels. This mapping should build upon already existing mapping conducted by TVET actors. 

•    Identify key trends, challenges, and best practices in TVET delivery, governance, and policy reform.

•    Assess the impact and effectiveness of major ongoing initiatives and partnerships in the TVET ecosystem.

•    Identify gaps and niches where UNESCO could add value, propose areas for future technical cooperation, and contribute to national priorities.

•    Prepare periodic analytical briefs, presentations, and reports summarizing findings and strategic recommendations for UNESCO's engagement.

Programme design and resource mobilization:

•    Develop concept notes, project proposals, and funding briefs aligned with UNESCO's global priorities and Ukraine's TVET reform agenda.

•    Identify and liaise with potential donors and development partners to explore funding opportunities for TVET-related projects.

•    Contribute to the formulation of project documents following UNESCO's Results-Based Management (RBM) principles.

•    Support the Office in monitoring the implementation of any new TVET-related initiatives that emerge from this analytical work.

Long Description

Coordination and representation:

•    Serve as UNESCO's technical focal point for TVET in Ukraine, maintaining close communication with the Ministry of Education and Science and other key stakeholders.

•    Facilitate coordination and knowledge sharing among national and international actors involved in skills development.

•    Represent UNESCO in meetings, working groups, and public events related to TVET, skills, and employability.

•    Contribute to joint UN initiatives or sector-wide programmes where TVET and skills development are relevant.
Liaison and alignment with UNESCO global frameworks

•    Ensure coherence of country-level work with the UNESCO Strategy for TVET 2022–2029 and the organization's broader mandate on education and skills.

•    Maintain active coordination with UNESCO HQ's Section for Youth, Literacy and Skills Development and with UNEVOC on global trends, tools, and methodologies.

•    Contribute to knowledge generation by documenting national experiences, innovative practices, and lessons learned to feed into regional and global platforms.

Communication and visibility:

•    Develop communication materials and knowledge products highlighting UNESCO's role in the TVET field in Ukraine.

•    Support the organization of public events, workshops, and dialogues to raise awareness on the importance of TVET for reconstruction, employability, and inclusion.

•    Contribute to media and advocacy efforts in collaboration with the Office's Communication team.

Expected Deliverables:

•    Comprehensive mapping report of the TVET landscape in Ukraine (including stakeholders, programmes, and funding flows).

•    Analytical brief identifying gaps, challenges, and potential areas for UNESCO engagement.

•    At least two project concept notes or proposals developed and shared with potential partners/donors. One proposal should be developed specifically for the potential joint programming among UN agencies in Ukraine facilitated by UNESCO. 

•    Regular progress updates and presentations to UNESCO and partners.

•    Contribution to at least two national coordination mechanisms or events on TVET.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Professionalism (C) -
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

•    Advanced university degree in Education, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field.

•    Specialization in TVET, skills development, or labour market studies is highly desirable.

Experience:

•    Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in TVET, education reform, or skills development.

•    Proven experience conducting sectoral analysis, mapping studies, or programme evaluations in the education or employment sectors.

•    Demonstrated experience in developing project proposals and mobilizing resources.

•    Familiarity with UNESCO's work on TVET, including the Strategy for TVET 2022–2029 and UNEVOC network, is an asset.

•    Experience engaging with government ministries, donor agencies, and private sector partners in Ukraine or similar contexts.

Skills and Competencies:

•    Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.

•    Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, with experience in stakeholder coordination.

•    Capacity to represent UNESCO with professionalism in high-level meetings and forums.

•    Good knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) and project cycle management.

•    Ability to work independently and produce quality outputs under tight deadlines.

Languages:

•    Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is essential.

•    Knowledge of Ukrainian language is an asset.

Long Description
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interested candidates should send following documents: 

1)    An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
2)    Written technical and financial proposals (in English):

• Approach and methodology for carrying out the assignment, a detailed workplan showing a timeline for completion of activities, the assignment's important activities/deliverables and milestones/deadlines and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any, and 

• The proposed daily or monthly rates or the amount/budget to be charged for the assignment, including all necessary costs in detailed budget breakdown which should be quoted in USD. Please show any travel costs separately.
3)    Contact details of three (3) referees, including names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of individuals familiar with your professional work.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.  

Additional Information:

• Travel costs should be included in the financial proposal.

• This contract is for a period of 6 months, with the possibility of extension. Estimated start month is January 2026.

Assessment:

• Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.

• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Note: 

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

• Please submit your application at 

• Queries of a technical nature about these TORS may be directed to:

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UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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