Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)
Duty Station: Erbil
Job Family: Education
Type of contract : Non Staff- Individual Consultancy
Duration of contract : Tentatively 25 November 2025 – 31 January 2026
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 17-11-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
A. Background
The Mosul University library was extensively damaged during the conflict. The space once housed more than one million books, periodicals, manuscripts, and government publications from as early as the 1920s. As a house of learning and knowledge at the center of the University, the Library was among the first institutions targeted after their occupation of Mosul in 2014. The library was deliberately set on fire, almost all its collection was destroyed, and its building severely damaged. In the absence of the central library, more than 60,000 students, university lecturers, and staff did not have easy access to the required literature for their research and academic projects. UNESCO aims to build resilience and promote rapid recovery and transition in Mosul.
Education provides physical, psychosocial, and cognitive protection that can sustain and save lives during a crisis. Education remains a fundamental human right, and quality learning opportunities should be available for all ages. The Mosul University library plays an important role in realizing this objective by supporting the revival of the spirit of Moslawi youth, ensuring access to a safe learning environment, especially for young girls, and fostering peaceful coexistence among the youth of Mosul. The physical infrastructure rehabilitation of the Central Library was completed in February 2022 by UNDP, but the operationalization of the library required urgent support to put in place the necessary measures for designing library functionalities and providing the modern tools and instruments necessary to effectively perform those functionalities from acquisition to archiving and digitization of the existing old and new library materials and holdings. Additionally, technical and professional capacity strengthening of the library staff through tailored practical training programs was highly needed. The gaps within institutional and professional capacities of the Central Library resulted in undermining the wider investment and prospects of the university in offering a holistic approach to learning and research.
To address these urgent needs, the “Restoring Mosul University Library” project was implemented from 1 June 2023 to 31 January 2026. Supported by AICS, the project was implemented by UNESCO in close partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the University of Mosul as the primary beneficiary, with active involvement from its leadership, staff, and students. The project also involved some national and international partners like the Sacred Abbasid Shrine from Iraq, Ulster University from UK, Open Computer Library Center, Arab Unified Catalogue (ARUC) and the University of Saint Joseph (USJ). Additionally, 21 institutions and publishers were involved, through Erbil International Book Forum, in providing the library with the needed knowledge resources.
With the overall objective of making the Mosul University Library fully functional and ensuring that it is perceived as an essential knowledge resource and a cultural connecting place, the project included the following activities:
1- Capacity-building: Development and implementation of a training program for more than 87 Library staff in various areas such as library management, acquisitions, cataloguing, scanning and archive management, conservation, digitization, repository management, Koha LIS (Library Information System) use and communication. The training was followed by practical application throughout the project duration.
2- Application of the LIS: Selection, customization and deployment of an enterprise software solution, covering the Library local functions and remote e-services, including acquisition, warehousing, interchange and virtual integration with other libraries’ content and catalogues, cataloging, classification, collection management, local and remote access and circulation/borrowing/reading/interlibrary loan, reference services, research and instruction, patron and subscriber relation management, management of scanned materials, periodicals, ebooks, rare materials and manuscripts.
3- Conservation, restoration, digitization, and indexing/cataloguing: Restoration, preservation, conservation, digitization and bookbinding of rare and other endangered library materials including rare books, manuscripts, and historical documents, through the establishment of an on-site laboratory with modern chemical and mechanical technologies.
4- Partnerships: Establishment of partnerships with relevant institutions across the world, for reinforcing the sustainability of the library’s functions and operations. These partnerships, in particular, aimed at facilitating the provision of international expert advice and support to capacity building as well as result in agreements on acquisitions of relevant up-to-date knowledge material and support library services.
B. Project outcomes and outputs
Below is an outline of the project results with the impact, outcomes and outputs of the project:
Impact: The Mosul University Library is recognized as a physical and virtual meeting place of educational and cultural inspiration, contributing to the rebirth of Iraqi civil society as an essential knowledge resource for students, teachers, staff, and community members.
Outcome 1: Restoration of the Mosul University Library to create a well-functioning and adequately equipped library, allowing access to quality sources of learning and education.
Outcome 2: Perception of Mosul University Library by the community as the main source of knowledge and information through existing references, recovered manuscripts, and a network of partners.
This evaluation is being conducted at the conclusion of the implementation period and aims to assess achievements, challenges, and opportunities for sustainability.
The independent external final evaluation will be summative in nature with formative dimensions. The key objectives of the evaluation include the following:
Specific objectives:
The evaluation findings will be used by UNESCO, the donor AICS, the University of Mosul, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) to inform future planning, policy, and programming.
I. Geographical Coverage
The project Targets the Central Library of Mosul University with benefits to the whole campus and other departmental libraries. The evaluation will be conducted in Erbil, and Mosul governorates in Iraq.
II. Target Groups
III. Evaluation Criteria & Questions
a. Relevance
b. Effectiveness
c. Efficiency
d. Coordination
e. Pathways to Impact
f. Sustainability
The evaluation will apply a mixed-methods approach harnessing both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including:
The evaluation shall be conducted in line with United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation, UNEG Guidelines for Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations and UNEG Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation, and the UNESCO evaluation manual.
The evaluation aims to review the project's log-frame, determine whether the project has met its objectives and outcomes to date. It will consider clear criteria, questions, information required, sources and methods. The determinants of performance, when calibrated, must be discussed with the project team. Evaluation tools such as interview questionnaires, observation checklists etc. may be developed to ensure how the information or data can be collected or retrieved from different stakeholders. Key-stakeholders’ review should be conducted with data quality assurance and privacy measures being stipulated.
On-site visit to project locations should be arranged in a timely fashion. An inception report will be submitted by the evaluator at the initial stage of this evaluation providing a detailed methodological approach.
As part of the qualitative data collection, the evaluation team is encouraged to consult with relevant regional or international institutions with experience in manuscript restoration and conservation, such as the Al-Aqsa Mosque Centre for the Restoration of Islamic Manuscripts in Jerusalem, to gather comparative insights and identify potential good practices.
The proposed period of the implementation of the evaluation will be from 25 November 2025 to 31 January 2026. The evaluation will include missions to Iraq including travel to Erbil, and to Mosul with the UNESCO team.
The evaluation of the project “Restoring Mosul University Library” will be managed by the UNESCO Iraq Office. The evaluator will be responsible for his/her logistical needs, including international travel, accommodation, laptop, administrative support, meeting arrangements, data collection, and the dissemination and printing of evaluation tools such as questionnaires. However, UNESCO will facilitate travel arrangements from Erbil to Mosul and access to the project location, in coordination with local stakeholders. Office space in Mosul will be provided by UNESCO or project partners for the duration of the evaluator’s fieldwork. UNESCO’s team will support the evaluator by providing relevant documentation, contact information, and help schedule meetings with key stakeholders. The team will also review and provide feedback on the draft report and assist in sharing the final report with relevant stakeholders and partners for their comments.
Evaluation Reference Group
In line with external project evaluation best practices, and UNESCO guidelines, an evaluation reference group will be established to accompany the evaluation process and provide feedback on inception report, draft and final evaluation report. The reference group comprises members from UNESCO Field Office in Iraq, UNESCO regional evaluation associate, and project partners ــــ including MoHESR, UoM, AICS and other members of the project steering committee such as the Prime Minister Advisory Council (PMAC). The reference group shall liaise and meet with the evaluation team during the evaluation, as necessary.
Period: 25 November 2025 – 31 January 2026
Tentative schedule
The tentative schedule of the deliverables is as follows:
The evaluation will have three main deliverables (to be written in English): an inception report, a draft evaluation report, and a final evaluation report. These deliverables are the responsibility of the external evaluator, with inputs and feedback from UNESCO.
The final evaluation report (maximum 30 pages, excluding annexes) shall be prepared in English and include the following elements:
In addition, communication materials will be discussed and agreed upon during the inception phase, based on intended audiences and available resources.
Furthermore, the consultant should also provide a concise summary version of the evaluation report (2–3 pages) presenting a shorter overview of the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations, to facilitate effective communication with various stakeholders.
Academic Qualifications:
Work Experience:
Language Requirements:
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English & Arabic is required.
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” ,then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information in English:
* Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information below, upload the file at the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form.
Only applications with the below requested information will be considered.
1- A Technical Written proposal (2-3 Pages Maximum) consisting of:
• Comments on the Terms of Reference, if any (in brief);
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV), and a statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.
• A cover letter outlining their relevant experience and proposal /approach to the assignment.
• A description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment.
• Examples of previous work related to undertaking assignment
• A work plan with detailed milestones and key deliverables/activities
• List of work assignments and/or THREE (03) contacts as references – to be filled and returned to UNESCO as part of the submission.
2-A Financial proposal in US dollars. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately. Please design the payment scheme against a clear and specific set of deliverables and milestones as reflected in the work plan.
Please 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.
UNESCO 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. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals 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. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.
