UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW
I. Background
Building on the success of the implementation of the Strengthening Teacher Education Programmes in Cambodia (STEPCam), UNESCO and the MoEYS are implementing the second phase of STEPCam (STEPCam Phase II), supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
As a critical cross-cutting component of the programme, STEPCam promotes a uniform approach to digital transformation in Cambodia’s education system and the effective use of digital tools for quality teaching, learning, and education management. The MoEYS, with support from STEPCam, has developed Cambodia’s National ICT and AI Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT-AI CFT). The ICT-AI CFT will inform the review of the PRESET curriculum and development of targeted CPD courses focusing on artificial intelligence and promoting its ethical use, as well as developing ICT in education and EdTech pedagogy skills among teachers and teacher educators.
To foster research and thought leadership to drive the digital transformation of the education system in Cambodia, STEPCam is supporting the establishment of an Educational Technology (EdTech) Innovation Hub at the Phnom Penh Teacher Education College (PTEC) in Cambodia mandated to promote research and innovation in ICT in education, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, develop ICT in education competencies in Cambodia’s teaching force and provide advisory services to education stakeholders, ensuring a uniform approach to the use of digital technology in the education system.
II. Objectives
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, the supervision of the Chief of the Education Unit, and direct supervision of the STEPCam Programme Manager, the Consultant will provide technical support to Component 4 of STEPCam Phase II: Digital Transformation in Education
Preparing for the effective adoption of digital strategies for education delivery.
The Consultant will work in close consultation and collaboration with the STEPCam programme team, technical departments of the MoEYS, TEIs, and other Development Partners supporting the MoEYS to establish the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI and provide strategic advice, technical support
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and capacity building for the operations and sustainability of the EdTech Innovation Hub to fulfil its mandate as the leading specialised institute for driving thought leadership, research and innovation and teacher development to drive digital transformation in education in Cambodia.
The main objectives of the consultancy are:
1. Provide strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub institute on educational technology and digital transformation at PTEC
2. Lead the capacity building at the EdTech Innovation Hub on institutional management and administration, and research and innovation
3. Provide technical support to seek new partnerships and resource mobilisation for the EdTech Innovation Hub
4. Provide technical advice and quality assurance for the development of new ICT and AI CPD courses in collaboration with the STEPCam programme team and technical experts
5. Provide strategic technical advice to UNESCO’s country-level portfolio on EdTech and digital transformation
III. Specific tasks
Specific tasks include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1. Strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at PTEC
i. Provide technical support to the MoEYS to oversee the process for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub located within PTEC, ensuring its overall institutional capacity to fulfil its mandate, including facilitating consultation workshops/technical meetings to secure high-level buy-in from MoEYS leaders, development partners and other stakeholders
ii. Provide technical advice to the MoEYS for the recruitment and/or selection of management personnel and technical experts for the EdTech Innovation Hub, as well as the selection process of candidates for the flagship Fellowship Programme which will support action research and the design, testing, and scaling up of digital and AI-enabled pedagogical incubation in the classroom
iii. Lead the facilitation of technical meetings with potential partners identified for potential partnerships in research collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity building for the EdTech Innovation Hub
iv. Provide technical support and work collaboratively with the MoEYS technical departments, selected TEI to review, update and implement the EdTech Innovation Hub’s operational and capacity building plans, as well as develop the long-term sustainability strategy and plan of the Hub
v. Provide technical oversight for the procurement and installation processes of digital and/or physical infrastructure and equipment for the operational readiness of the EdTech Innovation Hub targeted by Q4 2026
vi. Provide technical advice to the MoEYS and EdTech Innovation Hub in developing and operationalizing an interoperable digital knowledge platform and repository database for research outputs related to ICT and AI in education
2. Capacity building at the EdTech Innovation Hub
vii. Act as the lead trainer in designing structured training programmes and developing training materials for training workshops/sessions targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows, including but not limited to:
MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel: A total of 5 two-day training sessions on strategic planning, management and daily operations of the Hub, focusing on implementation of the flagship Fellowship Programme, grant management, quality assurance of research outputs, partnership building and resource mobilisation, and thematic topics related to ICT and AI in education
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2.1. Agenda, concept note, presentations and all relevant documents developed in preparation of the consultation workshop to finalise the design, mandate, operational and capacity building plans of the EdTech Innovation Hub, as well as to update and finalise the Strategic Roadmap to guide and promote the development of competency-based ICT teacher training/CPD programmes
2.2. Final version of the operational and capacity building plans of the EdTech Innovation Hub
2.3. Final complete version of the implementation guidelines for the Fellowship Programme
2.4. First report on strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4
3. Deliverable 3: By 2 November 2026
3.1. Final Strategic Roadmap to guide and promote the development of competency-based ICT teacher training/CPD programmes
3.2. Complete draft version of the partnership and resource mobilisation plan detailing a mapping of institutions and/or experts with specialised expertise in EdTech and digital pedagogies
3.3. Second report on strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4
4. Deliverable 4: By 14 December 2026
4.1. Final version of the partnership and resource mobilisation plan detailing a mapping of institutions and/or experts with specialised expertise in EdTech and digital pedagogies
4.2. Progress report demonstrating the progress and achievements made on the following:
Progress/status of brokering new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements for the EdTech Innovation Hub
Completion (at least 50%) of the structured training programme, including a complete package of materials developed for training workshops/sessions targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows
Strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4, including the reports of fellowship outputs on innovation projects, research products, and course content development products
Operationalisation of the Digital Knowledge Platform and Repository Database, including recommendations for enhancement and long-term management
5. Deliverable 5: By 28 February 2027
5.1. Progress report demonstrating the progress and achievements made on the following:
Completion (100%) of the structured training programme, including a complete package of materials developed for training workshops/sessions targeted at the MoEYS technical departments, EdTech Innovation Hub personnel and Fellows
Fourth progress reporting on strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 4, including the reports of fellowship outputs on innovation projects, research products, and course content development products
Second progress reporting on the progress/status of brokering new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements for the EdTech Innovation Hub, demonstrating clear progress achieved in advancing new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation opportunities
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5.2. Complete draft version of the Sustainability Strategy and Plan for the EdTech Innovation Hub, which should include, but not limited to, the following: (i) medium-term and long-term strategies to advance its mandate and further expansion, (ii) monitoring and evaluation, (iii) strategies for financing and/or revenue generation, (iv) strategies for capacity building and sustainability, (v) strategic communications, and (iv) projected five-year annual operational costs for the EdTech Innovation Hub
6. Deliverable 6: 30 May 2027
6.1. Final completion report for the consultancy, detailing:
Achievements and key results for strategic technical support for the establishment, daily operations and institutionalisation of the EdTech Innovation Hub at the selected TEI under Objectives 1, 2 and 3, including ensuring the operational readiness of the Hub
Strategic and programmatic recommendations to UNESCO for expanding its country-level support in EdTech and digital transformation in education
Strategic and technical recommendations for the way forward (medium-term and long-term) for the EdTech Innovation Hub in strengthening its role as the leading institute for research and innovation in EdTech and digital transformation in education
All technical advice and inputs provided to the STEPCam programme team, technical experts and Fellows for the ICT and AI CPD course outlines and course content development
Final progress reporting demonstrating concrete progress andachievements in brokering new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation agreements for the EdTech Innovation Hub, demonstrating progress and achievements in advancing new partnerships and/or resource mobilisation opportunities
6.2. Final complete version of the Sustainability Strategy and Plan for the EdTech Innovation Hub, which should include, but not limited to, the following: (i) medium-term and long-term strategies to advance its mandate and further expansion, (ii) monitoring and evaluation, (iii) strategies for financing and/or revenue generation, (iv) strategies for capacity building and sustainability, (v) strategic communications, and (iv) projected five-year annual operational costs for the EdTech Innovation Hub
Final approval of deliverables will be under the authority of the STEPCam Programme Manager, after receiving pre-approval from relevant MoEYS departments when necessary.
Prior to submission, the Contractor ensures that proper copyediting and proofreading have been carried out for all deliverables, and the relevant templates and formats have been closely followed. The Contractor may be requested by UNESCO to revise the deliverables if they are determined by UNESCO to require revisions to meet the required standard of quality. No additional payment will be made for the revision of the deliverables.
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HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates are kindly requested to click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History Form (Word file). Employment History Form / My Documents’. The candidate must insert the extra pages with the following required information in English:
1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Technical proposal (3 pages maximum), including a description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment
3. Financial proposal, indicating a daily rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.
4. The contact details of three referees
The completed Employment History Form and the required information should be attached as a single combined file.
Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. If you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at phnompenh@unesco.org.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.