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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Justification

(UNICEF Digital Education Strategy 2025-2030)

The UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office continues to accelerate these priorities across the region. With support from Airtel Africa continuing through mid-2027, we continue to advocate for and support countries to empower teachers through the development and implementation of the Pathways Framework and the Superstar Teacher Toolkit to take advantage of the increasing availability of internet connectivity.

Therefore the Digital Impact section in UNICEF ESARO is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical assistance to country offices in the region, particularly those engaged in the Airtel partnership, and support the oversight and implementation of digital learning programming.

Scope of Work

1. Goal and objective:

Under the supervision of the Regional Technology for Development Business Analyst, the consultant will –

• Coordinate and provide technical support to ESAR countries to advance the Digital Education agenda in the region, including strengthening programme design, mentoring, and monitoring of the programme implementation.
• Ensure that the offices in the region maintain their momentum for implementing the digital learning priorities in the remaining time period of the partnership with Airtel Africa
• Support and expand the implementation of systems-oriented investments in digital education throughout the region, together with partners such as GIGA and Edtech Hub;
• Create documentation of best practices, develop knowledge products on digital learning, organize workshops, webinars, learning sessions and disseminate within UNICEF across stakeholders.
• Participate in regular meetings and contribute to providing updates and share insights and reflections from country coordination and implementations.

2. Activities and Tasks:

The following activities are expected to be undertaken under this assignment -

1. 1. Analyze and provide written suggestions to CO workplans to identify opportunities for integration of UNICEF's Edtech priorities based on new global digital education strategy, including connectivity lessons-learned from Airtel and GIGA and the use of the SuperStar Teacher Toolbox and Pathways Framework for increasing the digital capacity of teachers
   2. Guide the design of the final Pathways Framework package for dissemination and support launch
   3. Provide quarterly analysis of implementation of the Airtel partnership activities in 7 countries, including the use of zero-rated platforms, utilization of in-kind data donation, and technical assistance provided
   4. Review End-of-Year reporting from 21 country offices and consistently update a comprehensive Powerpoint deck of the status of digital learning in the region
   5. Provide technical support to the development of additional topics for the Superstar Teacher Toolbox - such as the pedagogical approaches on the use of shared devices in a classroom and inclusive education – including support to adaptation of contents into online courses to be uploaded on the global Learning Passport library and other national platforms
   6. Provide organizing support to the Year 5 Airtel Convention partnership meeting
   7. Provide technical support to 3-4 countries in the region to utilize the Pathways Framework and Superstar Teacher Toolbox for teacher digital capacity development plans
   8. Provide support to the creation of a regional Long-Term Agreement for digital education content development and support the analysis of LTA proposals
   9. Document feedback and key M&E learnings from the first set of 3-4 countries using the Pathways Framework to be integrated into the next version
   10. Travel to provide on-site technical assistance to ESAR countries as needed during the contract period
   11. Provide support to the finalization process for the UNICEF ESARO – Airtel Africa 5-year partnership report
2. Work relationships:

The consultant will report directly to the Regional Technology for Development Manager in UNICEF ESARO’s Digital Impact section; however, they will liaise regularly with the ESARO Private Sector Partnerships team. At the HQ level, other important relationships will be the UNICEF Learning Innovation Hub, the GIGA team, and the new Education Centre of Excellence being established in early 2026, as well as the digital learning focal points in each ESAR Country Office.

4. Outputs/Deliverables:

The expected deliverables for this consultancy are specified in the table below -

Payment Schedule

Payment schedule is indicated in the above table linked to each deliverable. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of the deliverable as determined by the supervisor of the contract.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

1. Education: Advanced university degree or equivalent experience in Education, Education Technology, ICT or related field of study. *A first University Degree in a relevant field, combined with 7 additional years of professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
2. At least 8 years of proven experience in the implementation of technology programmes;
3. Solid experience in the design and implementation of education programming at scale;
4. Excellent writing skills, planning and coordination skills, with proven ability to work independently;
5. Previous work with UNICEF (HQ or RO) is an added advantage;
6. Previous work experience in advising or implementing digital education initiatives in developing contexts, especially Africa, is an added advantage
7. Indicate the length of relevant work experience that is required in the technical area for this consultancy
8. Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values
9. Competencies: list the competencies that the consultant should have for the assignment.
10. Languages: Fluency in English (verbal and written) is mandatory. Knowledge of French and Portuguese is an added advantage.

Administrative issues

• The consultant is expected to be remote-based, and ideally available during the working hours of 10am to 4pm Nairobi time.
• While the consultant is expected to be remote-based, there is potential travel to supporting countries (up to five during the contract period). If the consultant is required to quarantine while traveling, UNICEF will pay for the quarantine if not organized by the host country.

Conditions

• All travel (in case of any) will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract will not be considered ‘staff members’ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants.
• The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV  and their technical and financial proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System)

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.