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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of Assignment

The Ministry of Education in Zambia, through the Directorate of Primary, is dedicated to enhancing and advancing learner achievement in both literacy and numeracy. Recognizing the critical role these foundational skills play in lifelong learning and academic success, the Ministry continually seeks ways to improve instructional practices and educational outcomes. In response to the implementation of the revised 2023 Competency Based Curriculum — which aims to better equip learners with practical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities — the Ministry has identified the need to revisit and update the existing literacy and numeracy frameworks. These frameworks provide essential guidance to teachers on effective methods for teaching literacy and numeracy, ensuring that instruction is aligned with current educational standards and best practices. To facilitate this important undertaking, UNICEF, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, is seeking the services of an Individual Consultant for a three-month assignment from May to July 2026. The consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the Ministry’s efforts to revise and align the literacy and numeracy frameworks with the 2023 Competency Based Curriculum. This process will involve thorough review of current frameworks, stakeholder consultations, and the development of updated documents that reflect the new competency-based approach, ensuring that teachers are well-equipped to deliver quality education.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0001983 ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced degree in Education, or a related field.
• Work Experience:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the Education sector, in similar contexts.
  • At least 5 years’ experience working with Ministries of Education, preferably within the African context.
  • At least 8 years’ experience working in Education sector with experience in Literacy and numeracy.
  • Proven experience in developing or reviewing educational policies or guidelines, preferably in Literacy and numeracy.
  • Demonstrated experience in facilitating stakeholder consultations and validation processes.
• Skills:
  • Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Language requirements: Proficiency in both spoken and written English.
• Desirables:
  • Familiarity with the Zambian education context is an added advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0001983 Financial proposal.docx
• Technical proposal:
  • An explanatory note on the understanding of the ToR and the reasons for the application
  • A brief technical proposal highlighting the understanding of the ToR and an outline of the methodological approach and an appropriate timetable
  • Samples or links to Samples of previous relevant work listed as references of the proposer (at least three), on which the proposed key person directly and actively contributed or authored
  • Three references of the proposer of past and on-going relevant assignments. s. UNICEF may contact references for feedback on services provided by the proposers

Remarks:  If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.