Technical Assistance - MTSS Model for Primary and Secondary Education
New Closes 21 Aug 2026
Type of contract : Individual Consultant
Level : 3
Hiring Unit : Education Sector
Duty Station : APIA
Work location : Apia
Duration of contract : 5 months
Hiring open to : International and National Consultants
Application deadline (Midnight UTC+13 Time) : 21 August 2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
The Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) is leading the implementation of the System Transformation Grant Project (STG) – ‘A maua’a Fa’avae o ataata lelei na o ā Taeao: Quality Foundations to Prosperous Futures Project’, with UNESCO serving as the Grant Agent. The Project is a USD 2.5 million education reform initiative funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
The Project prioritizes teacher development, gender equality, inclusion, and community participation, ensuring interventions are holistic, evidence-based, and responsive to the diverse and intersecting needs of all Samoan learners. This is a four-year Project that focuses on three key domains: (i) early childhood education (ECE) and transitions to primary, (ii) foundational learning in primary schooling, and (iii) secondary-level technical and vocational education and training (TVET) pathways.
The Project goals and outcomes align with education priorities identified in international, regional, and national development strategies, including: the United Nations 2030 Agenda (Sustainable Development Goal 4); the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent; the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) 2018–2030; Samoa 2040; the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (2021–22 to 2025–26); and the Samoa Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2025–2030.
The Project involves broad collaboration across the education sector, including the National University of Samoa (NUS), the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA), national education institutions and training providers, and development partners.
Under Key Domain (ii): Foundational Learning in Primary Schooling, the Project seeks to establish an evidence‑based and contextually adapted Multi‑Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
Leading up to the design of this Project, there were consultations and reviews of Samoa’s education sector plans which have highlighted that strong literacy and numeracy skills in primary school are essential for students’ smooth transition and success in secondary education, where these skills are assumed and necessary for learning across all subjects.
The Sector Mid‑Term Review of the Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2019–2024 found that literacy and numeracy required urgent attention (as evidenced by national achievement results from Year 4 and Year 6 testing). For example, 2022 SPELL analysis indicated that whilst a significant proportion of Year 2 students were working AT expected level (L3&L4) for Gagana Samoa (45.8%) and Numeracy (43.8%), most Year 4 students were working TOWARDS expected levels for Gagana Samoa (75%) and Numeracy (89%).
The Samoa’s Partnership Compact which also informs the outcomes of this Project, has highlighted that “Learner Centred Progressions” conceptualised here as systematic and multi-layered interventions or the MTSS, from an early stage in schooling, is critical for students to meet learning targets, complete their education cycles, and continue their journeys to secondary and post-secondary learning and work.
A maua’a fa’avae, o ataata lelei na o ā taeao” Project, has made provision to engage a professional expertise to lead, design, the strategic scoping and planning of an evidence-based and contextually adapted MTSS early intervention program to strengthen all primary students’ learning of literacy and numeracy and enhance their learning progression in subsequent levels of schooling, taking a whole-child approach.
The objective of the assignment is to support the MEC to develop a relevant evidence-based MTSS early intervention model contextualized for Samoa and use data-driven planning to achieve systems transformation.
Under the guidance and close consultation with the MEC through its Policy, Planning and Research Division the recruited Technical Assistant is required to scope, plan and prepare for operationalization of an evidence-based contextually adapted MTSS early intervention program.
The specific tasks for this Consultancy would include.
The key outputs of the Consultancy and their expected deliveries are as follows:
| Deliverables | Outputs | Expected Completion Date | Percentage paid |
| Phase 1: | |||
| 1 | Workplan | Five days after Contract signing | 20 % |
| 2 | Literature Review & MTSS Model Identification Report | 30 Days after submission of Deliverable 1 | 20%
|
| 3 | Diagnostic Assessment Findings and Recommendations Report | 30 Days after submission of Deliverable 2 | 20 % |
| 4 | MTSS Pilot School Profiles | 30 Days after submission of Deliverable 3 | 20% |
| 5 | MTSS Costed Operational Plan | 30 Days after submission of Deliverable 4 | 20 % |
The Deliverables will be thoroughly reviewed by the MEC and UNESCO, with success measured against documented evidence of work. Upon meeting satisfactory completion and quality, the report will be approved for payment.
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
EDUCATION
A master’s degree in education or postgraduate qualification in the area of education planning and management, or teacher training and development, or assessment and learning, primary or secondary level curriculum development, or programme management and education statistics.
WORK EXPERIENCE
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
LANGUAGES
Any travel costs associated with executing the MTSS programme are included in the proposal to undertake the assignment. The proposal is all-inclusive of costs.
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).
We review listings for quality, but organizations may update or amend a posting at any time, so confirm the role and closing date on the organization's official site before applying. No genuine employer charges a fee to apply, interview, or process an application — treat any request for payment as a scam. If a detail looks wrong or the posting seems fraudulent, report this job.
