Consultancy: Learning Assessments and SDG 4 Indicator Methodology

JOB DETAILS

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 - Middle

Hiring Unit : Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station : Montreal

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 5 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC−4 Time) : 21/07/2026

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

OVERVIEW

As the custodian agency for SDG 4 indicators, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is responsible for developing methodologies, maintaining global databases, supporting countries in reporting data, and producing technical guidance to improve the quality, comparability and use of education statistics.

Learning assessments play a central role in SDG 4 monitoring, both for reporting on SDG indicator 4.1.1 and for producing several other indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes. To support countries, assessment providers and policymakers, UIS develops technical guidance, decision-support tools and reporting mechanisms, including the criteria for reporting on SDG indicator 4.1.1, the vetting mechanism and the Learning Assessment Buyer's Guide. UIS is also responsible for maintaining and disseminating a range of SDG 4 indicators derived from learning assessments and other data sources, together with their associated metadata and methodological documentation.

As part of its ongoing work programme and preparations for regional consultations and the UNESCO Conference on Education Data and Statistics, UIS is seeking a consultant to support the revision and development of guidance materials and communication products, contribute to methodological work on learning indicators and indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes, update selected SDG 4 indicator datasets and documentation, and prepare analytical products to strengthen the dissemination and use of UIS education data.

ASSIGNMENTS

Under the overall authority of the Head of the Foresight, Research and Methodology Section, the consultant will perform the following tasks. Deliverables will be reviewed by the designated UIS project manager and accepted by the responsible UIS authority in accordance with UNESCO procedures.

• Revision of the Buyer's Guide to International Student Assessments (2025 edition): Review the documents and inputs provided by UIS; consult with partner organizations, assessment experts and country representatives as requested by UIS (which will define the consultation process, consultees, modality and timeline); incorporate feedback; and draft and finalize a revised Buyer's Guide presenting learning assessment options in a clear, balanced and evidence-based manner to support informed decision-making aligned with national priorities and SDG 4 monitoring needs. Conflicting feedback will be arbitrated by the designated UIS Project Manager. 
• Learning Assessments Online Decision Tree: Develop a concept and implementation proposal for an interactive online decision tree that supports users in identifying assessment options that best fit their objectives, context and requirements.

Long Description

• Vetting Mechanism communication document: Develop a concise communication and advocacy document (approximately 2–4 pages) to support the positioning and promotion of the UIS Vetting Mechanism, explaining its purpose, value and benefits for countries, assessment providers and policymakers, and proposing key messages and communication approaches for different audiences. The document will eventually inform the production of a brochure on vetting.
• Discussion Paper on learning indicators: Prepare a discussion paper reviewing key methodological, conceptual and implementation challenges related to learning indicators beyond SDG indicator 4.1.1 (including 4.5.2, 4.a.1, 4.a.2 and 4.c.7), identifying emerging issues, potential solutions and areas requiring further technical discussion, as an input to regional consultations and preparations for the UNESCO Conference on Education Data and Statistics. 
• Technical Note on indicators derived from cross-national assessments: Prepare a technical note reviewing the methodologies used to produce SDG indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes (excluding learning outcome indicators), including indicators 4.5.2, 4.a.1, 4.a.2 and 4.c.7; identify methodological and comparability challenges, assess current approaches and propose options for strengthening international comparability and reporting. 
• Update of SDG indicators and metadata: Update datasets for indicators 4.5.2, 4.5.6, 4.a.1, 4.a.2, 4.c.5 and 4.c.7 by incorporating newly available data; validate and revise datasets to ensure consistency with UIS standards, indicator methodologies and published time series; review and update the associated metadata documents and methodological notes; and document all revisions made. 

CONTRACT DURATION

The consultancy will be carried out over a period of 5 months, with an expected start date shortly after the completion of the selection process. The assignment will be home-based (remote), with deliverables submitted according to the schedule below. The consultant will work under the overall authority of the Head of the Foresight, Research and Methodology Section, with deliverables reviewed by the designated UIS project manager and accepted by the responsible UIS authority in accordance with UNESCO procedures. Payment will be linked to the satisfactory delivery and acceptance of the deliverables listed below.

DELIVERABLES

• Revised Learning Assessment Buyer's Guide: (i) Draft framework and recommendations for the revision – by July 2026; (ii) Final revised Buyer's Guide and related materials, incorporating UIS and consultation feedback – by August 2026. 
• Learning Assessments Online Decision Tree – by August 2026: Concept and implementation proposal for an interactive online decision tree, including proposed functionality, user pathways, content structure and implementation considerations. 
• UIS Vetting Mechanism communication document – by August 2026: Communication and advocacy document (approximately 2–4 pages) presenting the purpose, value and benefits of the UIS Vetting Mechanism, including key messages and communication approaches for different audiences. 
• Discussion Paper on learning indicators – by August 2026: Discussion paper on methodological, conceptual and implementation challenges related to learning indicators beyond SDG indicator 4.1.1 (indicators 4.5.2, 4.a.1, 4.a.2 and 4.c.7), including emerging issues, potential solutions and areas for further technical discussion. 

Long Description

• Technical Note on indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes – by September 2026: Technical note reviewing methodologies used to produce SDG indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes (excluding learning outcome indicators), including methodological and comparability challenges and options for strengthening international comparability and reporting.
• Statistical fact sheet on bullying prevalence – by September 2026: Fact sheet presenting data analysis of the prevalence and trends of school bullying based on SDG indicator 4.a.2, including an assessment of the methodological strengths and limitations of the indicator and suggestions for strengthening its measurement.
• Updated SDG indicator datasets and documentation – by October 2026: Updated datasets, metadata documents and methodological notes (where applicable) for indicators 4.5.2, 4.5.6, 4.a.1, 4.a.2, 4.c.5 and 4.c.7, together with documentation of all revisions made.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent, or higher) in statistics, demography, economics, mathematics or related domains.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant work experience in applied social statistics, ideally related to the assessment of learning outcomes.
• Of these, preferably 3 to 5 years acquired at the international level within a UN or similar agency, or a government ministry.
• Demonstrated expertise in education statistics, learning assessments and SDG 4 monitoring.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to review indicator methodologies, validate datasets and assess comparability across data sources.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills, with proven ability to produce clear, well-structured technical guidance, discussion papers, fact sheets and communication products for diverse audiences (policymakers, assessment specialists, statisticians).
• Solid knowledge of cross-national learning assessment programmes and of the SDG 4 monitoring framework, including indicators derived from assessment data.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting, manage multiple concurrent deliverables and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven research experience in education is desirable.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required, as all deliverables will be produced in English.
• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

Part 1: Technical Proposal

• An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• A statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment;
• An indication of the approach (methodology, detailed workplan) he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO;

Part 2: Financial Proposal

• A competitive fee for the assignment, which should be quoted in EUR/USD/CAD/GBP and expressed on a monthly basis.

Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered. Responses to the mandatory pre-screening questions form an integral part of the application; candidates who do not meet the eliminatory criteria will not be considered further. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.