Consultancy to Update a UNESCO Publication on Global Citizenship Education

OVERVIEWParent Sector: Education Sector (ED)Duty Station: ParisJob Family: EducationType of contract: Non StaffDuration of contract: 8 monthsRecruitment open to: External candidatesApplication Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time): 09-NOV-2025UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, ProfessionalismOVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSTBackgroundI n 2015, UNESCO published the Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives to support the UN Secretary-General’s 2012 Global Education First Initiative, which identified global citizenship as one of its three key priorities. The publication provided the first comprehensive pedagogical guidance on the topic. It was the result of extensive global research and consultations with experts, enriched by feedback from UNESCO and partner institutes and through various events and forums, and tested in diverse countries to ensure cultural and geographic relevance, including through APCEIU and ASPNet. Designed as a resource for educators, curriculum developers, trainers, and policymakers, it also serves practitioners working in non-formal education settings.A lot has changed and been learned since the Guide was originally published and it is timely to update the Guide to benefit from past experiences and lessons in GCED conceptualisation and practice as well as to better reflect current conditions and address new needs in the realm of GCED.Since its original publication, a wide range of new scholarly and practice work has progressed that further expands our understanding of GCED and provides additional topics and learning objectives. UNESCO and partner institutes and centres have also produced additional specific guidance and research on issues of relevance to GCED, such as on social and emotional learning and on education for democracy and rule of law, which should be considered by the updated Guide.Similarly, world events, new technologies, and socio-political dynamics have emerged over the last decade that make GCED critical (e.g. misinformation, conspiracy theories, hate speech, increasingly polarized societies, new forms of racism, new expressions of toxic masculinity, increased violent conflict and rejections of multilateralism), but that also require expanded guidance and potentially new topics and learning objectives and resources to be added.Moreover, there is a need to update the Guide to more explicitly ground it in the 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development, and to help in its operationalization at school level. Included in the Recommendation are a range of guiding principles, curricular learning objectives, and action areas of peace, human rights, sustainable development, global citizenship, international understanding and freedoms, which are of relevanceto teaching GCED. UNESCO is also developing new guidance on the 2023 Recommendation (i.e. such as an Implementation Guide for the 2023 Recommendation, which is being finalized and expected to be published soon in 2025). The update to this Guide will benefit also and should consider this new and forthcoming guidance.To support the UNSCO Section of Global Citizenship and Peace Education in this undertaking, a senior consultant will be required to lead the drafting process together with the UNESCO secretariat.Overall objectiveTo review and update the Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives publication with the most recent context considerations, GCED practice and lessons, any new relevant approaches and tools, as well as anchoring the approach in the 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.This will involve analysing progress and lessons to date, new relevant conceptualisations and guidance, and relevant regional and global contextual changes and, on that basis, revising, updating or adding new areas of discussion and action into the publication to support the teachers and learners, in order to make the GCED concept more robust, systemic and applicable to different levels of education, as well as to ensure the topics and examples are up to date for today’s context and needs. It is not expected that this revision will result in a major overhaul of the whole Guide.Main responsibilities/tasksUndertake necessary background research, particularly literature and programmatic review of GCED to ascertain the core issues and lessons that should inform the revision process and propose a more detailed methodology for the revision.Lead the drafting in close collaboration with and guidance by the UNESCO Secretariat and the Core Team, as well as a Technical Group of Experts.The drafting and consultation will include integration of different rounds of feedback from the Core Team and the Technical Group of Experts as well as of inputs from different key stakeholders through surveys or workshops, including through relevant sector and expert groups in the world. It will also include preparation of surveys and facilitation of discussions through virtual or in-person meetings and workshops, possibly at the margins of other education sector events and drafting succinct summaries of such consultations.DeliverablesShort summary of the literature and programmatic review with core lessons and issues identified.Zero draft/annotated outline of the proposed revised Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives and a proposed full methodology for data collection.1st draft of the revised Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives ready for feedback from the Technical Group of Experts and any other relevant UNESCO staff and entities ( approximately 80 pages including everything; 320 words/page).2nd draft of the revised Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives with first round of feedback integrated and ready for the second round of feedback ( approximately 80 pages including everything; 320 words/page).Final draft of Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives with all feedback integrated and ready for editing and publishing ( approximately 80 pages including everything; 320 words/page).In performing the work under these TORs, the selected consultant will grant UNESCO the full worldwide copyright rights to the publications and will ensure that all other entities and individuals consulted and contributing to the production of this publication (whether through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, online contributions or reviews), will state in writing that that UNESCO obtains the rights to the responses (all contributors will be acknowledge in the publication), as per the relevant UNESCO guideline.COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Professionalism (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSRequired experienceA PhD in a specialized field relevant for the topic of this assignment – for example, International Development, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related fields.At least 10 years of proven experience in leading research and writing reports/publications on topics related to education in general, and GCED in particular, including experience in applying qualitative and/or quantitative methods.Excellent analytical and demonstrated drafting skills in English as demonstrated by at least 3 relevant high-quality publications/reports/guides.Experience with implementing similar assignments within the United Nations or International Organizations demonstrated by at least 2 relevant assignments.Experience in chairing/facilitating multicultural and interdisciplinary technical/expert working groups.Experience working with multilateral organizations, preferably in the UN system or UNESCO, is an asset.Language(s)Excellent knowledge of English is required.Good knowledge of French or any other UN language is an asset.CONDITION OF WORKThe consultant is expected to work online with possible travel to UNESCO Headquarters or any other venues, if necessary, for example, to participate in the technical workshops.APPLICATION PROCESSAPPLICATION PROCESSInterested candidates are invited to submit:(i) their CV(ii) a 2-3 page proposal with the methodology and any suggested team members for this work, and(iii) financial proposal.SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESSPlease note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.FooterUNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members 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. 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