Senior International Consultant for Skills Strategy Development in Afghanistan

Senior

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+5 Time) : 28/06/2026

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

OVERVIEW

UNESCO has been supporting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills development in Afghanistan through multiple strategies and programmes, including the TVET Strategy 2020–2024 and other sectoral frameworks. These efforts have focused on strengthening skills development systems, improving employability, and promoting socio-economic resilience.

However, significant contextual changes following the August 2021 power shift have fundamentally altered the education and skills development landscape. These include:

• A shift from formal, system-based TVET delivery to community-based and non-formal modalities
• Severe restrictions on girls’ and women’s education, particularly beyond Grade 6, and on women’s participation in work and public spaces
• A sharp decline in international aid, affecting employment opportunities and service delivery systems
• A substantial increase in returnees from Iran and Pakistan, now estimated at around 10% of the population
• Weak coordination, standardization, certification, and accreditation systems for community-based non-formal skills development

To respond to this evolving education, skills and labour-market context in Afghanistan, UNESCO seeks to lead a structured process to develop a strategy for skills development interventions by adapting, revising and updating past TVET and skills development strategies. The assignment will realign previous frameworks with current socio-economic realities, emerging learner and labour-market needs, delivery modalities, stakeholder configurations, and relevant global frameworks and priorities, including the SDGs, UNESCO’s Strategy for TVET 2022–2029, the 2015 UNESCO Recommendation concerning Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and ILO frameworks on skills development as well as lifelong learning frameworks.

The revised strategy will place a strong emphasis on community-driven and private sector-driven livelihoods and skills development interventions, private sector engagement and partnerships, and the inclusion of adolescents, youth, women, returnees and vulnerable populations. It will also identify practical pathways for certification, quality assurance, recognition of skills, and linkages to employment, entrepreneurship and further learning. Under UNESCO’s leadership, the assignment will ensure structured consultations with education and skills development partners, relevant UN agencies, NGOs, private sector actors and other key stakeholders to promote ownership, alignment and operational relevance.

Long Description

The overall objective of the assignment is for the senior consultant to support UNESCO in developing a practical, evidence-based, and context-responsive Skills Development Strategy for Afghanistan for enhanced livelihoods and economic development.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Conduct a desk-based review of existing TVET, skills development and livelihood-related strategies, frameworks, assessments and programme documents, and update the knowledge base to inform the revision of the strategic framework.
• Review existing skills mapping results and develop data collection tools and undertake a mapping of non-formal skills training and education provision to fill data gaps, including relevant surveys and stakeholder consultations, to support coherence, standardization, and scalability of non-formal skills initiatives.
• Develop an updated strategic framework and strategy for non-formal TVET and skills development informed by the analysis that reflects current operational realities, contextual constraints, learner needs, delivery modalities and stakeholder capacities.
• Develop a practical implementation framework to support implementation of the revised strategy, including priority interventions and sequencing.
• Identify concrete entry points for private sector engagement and propose practical mechanisms to strengthen partnerships with employers, business associations, local markets, cooperatives and other relevant economic actors.
• Inform and support livelihood and skills development opportunities for adolescents, youth, women and returnees and other vulnerable populations, with attention to inclusion, certification, quality assurance and pathways to employment, entrepreneurship or further learning.

ASSIGNMENTS

Under the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Office in Kabul and the direct supervision of the Head of Education, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct a desk review of existing and past TVET strategies and related policy frameworks in Afghanistan, including but not limited to the TVET Strategy 2020–2024 and the Afghanistan Education Sector Support Plan (AESSP) for 2026-27, relevant labour market and socio-economic assessments, returnee reintegration analyses, and partner programme documents.
• Update the existing knowledge base on non-formal TVET and skills development in Afghanistan, with attention to current socio-economic realities, operational constraints, learner needs, delivery modalities, funding trends, and stakeholder capacities.
• Analyze ongoing non-formal and community-based skills development initiatives implemented by development partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and other actors (including livelihood skills interventions).
• Identify critical structural challenges, including fragmentation of programmes, lack of standardization and harmonization across initiatives, weak linkages with the labour market, limited private sector engagement, and gaps in recognized certification, quality assurance, accreditation mechanisms and also recognition of skills.
• Review existing mapping results and develop data collection tools to support a mapping exercise on non-formal skills training and education provision to fill data gaps, including tools for stakeholder mapping, programme mapping, private-sector engagement analysis, and consultations with implementing partners and target groups.
• Review existing mapping results and map non-formal TVET and skills development initiatives to fill any data gaps, including a 5W mapping of who is doing what, where, for whom, and through which delivery modalities, to promote coherence, standardisation, and scalability across interventions. This will include mapping relevant stakeholders across the TVET and livelihoods ecosystem, including development partners, implementing agencies, national and international NGOs, private sector actors, and representatives of youth, communities, and returnees. Another key component is the identification of feasible pathways for introducing or strengthening systems for skills recognition, certification, and quality assurance.
• Design and implement an inclusive and structured consultation process, under UNESCO’s leadership, with relevant education partners, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector actors, community representatives, youth, women, returnees and other vulnerable groups.

Long Description

• Establish and convene a reference group to steer and advise on the development processes of the strategy.
• Conduct a series of bilateral and group consultations to gather perspectives on current challenges, opportunities, and priorities for community-based livelihoods and skills development. Particular attention will be given to the role of the private sector in shaping demand-driven skills development and employment pathways.
• Actively engage existing coordination mechanisms, including the Afghanistan Coordination Group (ACG), the Education and Skills Joint Platform (ESJP), and the Social Protection Technical Working Group (SP-TWG) as well as the Tertiary Education and Skills Development Working Group (TESWG). The consultant will facilitate discussions within these platforms to ensure alignment and coherence with broader sectoral efforts.
• Organize and facilitate validation sessions, including TESWG and ESJP consultations, to present preliminary findings and strategic directions, and to incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final strategy. The consultation process should be participatory, inclusive, and well-documented.

3. Development of the adapted Skills Development Strategy for Afghanistan and the implementation plan

• Building on the review and consultations, lead the development of a concise and actionable Skills Development Strategy for Afghanistan. The strategy will explicitly position itself as an adaptation and contextualization of previous strategies, rather than a completely new framework, ensuring continuity while responding to the current socio-political and economic realities.
• Articulate a clear vision, strategic objectives, and priority interventions that are presented in a results-based logical framework to reflect the Theory of Change. The strategy will define practical approaches for strengthening coherence and connectivity across fragmented skills development initiatives and promoting greater harmonization among partners.
• Map existing and propose additional practical private sector engagement pathways, outlining mechanisms for partnerships, skills matching, apprenticeships, and employment linkages. The strategy should propose realistic and context-sensitive approaches to improving livelihoods outcomes, especially for youth and returnees.
• In light of restrictions on girls’ and women’s education, ensure that the strategy incorporates context-appropriate and sensitive approaches to inclusion, identifying feasible entry points for women’s participation in skills development and livelihoods activities.
• Ensure that the final strategy will be concise, practical, and user-oriented, avoiding unnecessary complexity while maintaining analytical rigor and strategic clarity.
• Ensure that the strategy reflects current operational realities, contextual constraints, learner needs, delivery modalities, stakeholder capacities and relevant global frameworks and priorities, including the SDGs, UNESCO’s Strategy for TVET 2022–2029, the 2015 UNESCO Recommendation concerning Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and ILO frameworks on skills development and lifelong learning.

4. Validation, finalization and dissemination

• Support the validation of the draft strategy through structured engagement with key stakeholders, including presentations and discussions within the ESJP, TESWG and other relevant coordination fora.
• Based on the feedback received, the consultant will revise and finalize the strategy, ensuring that it reflects stakeholder inputs while maintaining coherence and strategic integrity.
• Propose a dissemination and uptake plan to ensure a wider understanding and use of the strategy.

5. Support strategic direction of UNESCO’s Skills Development and Literacy Teams and Initiatives in Afghanistan

• Make recommendations for UNESCO’s strategic direction of ongoing skills development, literacy and non-formal education initiatives in Afghanistan, in light of the skills development strategy for the sector and UNESCO’s competitive areas of advantage in the field to ensure both internal and external coherence.
• Support Education team at UNESCO Kabul Office in implementation of skills certification, recognition of learning and quality assurance initiatives (including through private sector partnerships).

Lead preparation of UNESCO in Afghanistan’s Skills Development and Literacy Action Plan for 2027 and 2028.

The consultant will work closely with UNESCO’s Education Unit and partners for six months from July to December 2026. The assignment will be primarily home-based with regular virtual coordination and 1 or 2 missions as needed (2-3 weeks per mission).

UNESCO will reimburse the necessary daily subsistence allowance, the most economical, direct round-trip flight tickets between the country of residence and Kabul, Afghanistan, and visa fees, in line with UNESCO’s administrative and human resources rules and regulations. The consultant is provided with the necessary equipment and office space when undertaking missions in Kabul, Afghanistan.

DELIVERABLES

Remuneration will be based on the submission and validation of the following deliverables. All reports/materials should be drafted in English and submitted in an editable format. The fee is payable in installments upon certification by UNESCO of satisfactory performance by the consultant for the work corresponding to each payment.

• Inception report (methodology, workplan)
• Review and analysis report
• Skills mapping report
• Stakeholder consultation summary report
• Final strategy and costed implementation and results framework for the skills sector in Afghanistan
• Proposed dissemination plan
• UNESCO in Afghanistan’s Skills Development and Literacy Action Plan 2027-28
• Final report (summary of process and recommendations)

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 .

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, social sciences, development studies or related areas.

WORK EXPERIENCE

The Individual Consultant should demonstrate relevant work experience in respect to the work assignment through at least undertaking 3 similar projects that satisfy the following requirements:

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in TVET, skills development, and livelihoods at international level (2 countries or more), including in highly restricted contexts and environments.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven experience working on non-formal and community-based skills systems.
• Experience in private sector engagement and labour market systems.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Mandatory

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills;

Mandatory

Proven ability to synthesize complex information into concise outputs;

Mandatory

Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills;

Mandatory

Excellent strategy development and strategy formulation skills;

Mandatory

Strong understanding of labour markets and livelihoods programming;

Mandatory

Ability to work in complex and sensitive environments; and

Mandatory

Strong IT skills, including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools;

LANGUAGES

• Mandatory: Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individual consultants are invited to submit the following application package to UNESCO:

Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information above, upload the file to the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form. Only applications with the above requested information will be considered.

The remuneration for this consultancy will be proportionate to the qualifications and experience of the consultant and within the UNESCO consultancy rates/monthly fees.

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.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.