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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

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Advert - Individual Consultant to conduct a comprehensive gender analysis of the education system in the Maldives.

For every child, a champion! 

Background and Context:

The Maldives has made notable progress in educational access and gender equality, achieving universal access to primary and lower secondary education with gender parity. Despite these advancements, gender disparities in learning outcomes and educational transitions remain evident. According to consecutive years of National Assessments of Learning Outcomes (NALO), girls generally outperform boys academically. Girls tend to excel in subjects like Dhivehi and English, while boys often perform better in Mathematics. This trend highlights a gender gap in specific academic areas, which can influence future educational and career choices. Furthermore, the transition from secondary to higher education reveals additional gender-based challenges. Although girls often excel academically, societal expectations and traditional gender roles can limit their participation in certain fields, particularly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. A study on higher education in the Maldives found that gendered subject choices persist, with women underrepresented in STEM fields and men underrepresented in education and health sectors (Shafina, 2020). Women are often limited in leadership roles, particularly at decision-making levels.

Social norms, expectations, and the education system influence how girls and boys perceive their own potential and aspirations. Education systems play a crucial role in shaping gender roles. Historically, educational systems worldwide, including in the Maldives, have reinforced traditional gender roles by directing boys and girls towards different subjects and careers based on societal expectations. These biases can limit opportunities for one gender and reinforce gender stereotypes. However, education also has the power to challenge and transform these roles. By promoting gender equality and encouraging both boys and girls to explore a wide range of subjects, assume leadership roles, and fostering a learning environment that values diversity, equality, and inclusion, students are more likely to pursue careers and roles that align with their interests and aspirations rather than societal expectations. This can lead to a more balanced representation in various fields and contribute to greater gender equality in society.

Recognizing the transformative power of education, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has initiated an education transformation agenda that includes a strong focus on gender-responsive and equity-focused education sector planning and financing, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education, the World Bank, and UNICEF. To inform the next Education Sector Plan (ESP), the MoE aims to undertake a comprehensive gender analysis of the education system, guiding equitable budget allocations and ensuring a stronger focus on inclusion and gender responsiveness in the education system.

This TOR seeks the services of a consultant to undertake the gender analysis.

How can you make a difference? 

Objectives:

1-To provide evidence-based recommendations for the ESP and education budget allocation, promoting gender equality, equity, and inclusion.

2- To identify the key factors contributing to boys’ and girls’ disadvantage in learning and transition across education levels and propose targeted, evidence-based interventions to address these challenges.

3- To use the analysis for evidence-based advocacy and targeted interventions to address specific gender disparities.

4 – To examine how gender intersects with other dimensions of inequality – such as disability, geographic location (e.g., remote or atoll-based communities), and socio-economic status – to understand the barriers to education and inform inclusive, equity-focused policy and programming.

For the detailed Terms of Reference, please visit the link: 

 VA TOR for Gender Analysis of the Education System.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced degrees in Gender Studies, Education, Social Sciences, International Development, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience conducting gender analyses, preferably in the education system
• Experience working with education sector planning is a strong advantage
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to conduct participatory consultations with diverse stakeholders
• Experience working in Islamic countries or contexts with similar socio-cultural dynamics is considered a strong asset.
• Display cultural sensitivity and inclusion

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual 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 not 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

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. 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.