Contract Duration: 7 Months

Working arrangement: Office Based

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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.

For every child, the right to Education.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to design and develop a comprehensive, inclusive, and competency-based Non-Formal Education (NFE) learning package under the Alternative Learning Opportunities (ALO) Project for out-of-school children aged 10–14 years.

This is a temporary, output-based assignment with specific and measurable deliverables to be completed within a defined contract period.

The consultancy will ensure that the package integrates contextually relevant curriculum content, learner-centered pedagogy, and appropriate assessment strategies aligned with national education standards and equivalency frameworks.

Against clearly defined deliverables and timelines, the consultants will develop and submit structured course modules, teaching-learning materials, facilitator guides, and assessment tools and techniques that respond to the diverse needs of marginalized and out-of-school children, including those in hard-to-reach and vulnerable contexts.

Each deliverable will be reviewed and accepted against agreed quality standards prior to payment, with remuneration linked to the satisfactory completion of outputs rather than time served.

The assignment will ensure alignment with the priorities of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) and technical guidance from UNICEF, promoting flexible, accelerated, and inclusive learning pathways that facilitate transition to formal education, skills development, or other lifelong learning opportunities.

The consultants will not perform any staff functions, ongoing managerial or representational responsibilities, or tasks outside the scope of the defined deliverables.

The consultancy will conclude within the specified contract duration upon completion and acceptance of the final deliverable.

Scope of Work:

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of UNICEF and in close coordination with the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE), the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

A. Inception and Planning

• Review relevant policies, frameworks, and existing NFE materials, including BNFE guidelines and programme documents.

• Develop and submit an inception report outlining methodology, workplan, and design framework for the NFE package.

B. Curriculum and Package Review and Design

• Design a competency-based NFE curriculum framework for out-of-school children aged 10–14 years.

• Define learning outcomes, course structure, content sequencing, and duration aligned with national standards.

• Integrate foundational skills, life skills, and flexible learning pathways within the curriculum.

C. Review and Development of Teaching-Learning Materials

• Develop learner-friendly, inclusive, and contextually appropriate teaching-learning materials.

• Prepare facilitator guides with structured lesson plans, pedagogical approaches, and classroom management strategies

• Ensure materials are gender-responsive, inclusive, and adaptable to diverse learning contexts

D. Assessment Framework Development

• Design competency-based assessment tools and strategies, including formative and summative approaches.

• Align assessment mechanisms with national equivalency frameworks and transition pathways.

E. Consultation and Validation

• Facilitate technical consultations and review workshops with BNFE, UNICEF, and relevant stakeholders.

• Incorporate feedback to refine and improve all components of the NFE package.

F. Field Testing and Revision

• Support the pilot testing/field validation of the developed materials in selected locations.

• Analyze findings and revise the package accordingly to ensure effectiveness and usability.

G. Finalization and Capacity Support

• Finalize and submit the complete

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Terms Of Referene TMC0005280.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Education, Curriculum Development, Educational Planning, Social Sciences, English or a related field.

• Specialized training in Non-Formal Education (NFE), curriculum design, or pedagogy will be an asset.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in education programme design, curriculum development, and/or Non-Formal Education (NFE).

• Proven experience in developing competency-based curricula, teaching-learning materials, and assessment frameworks, preferably for out-of-school or overage learners.

• Strong understanding of the Bangladesh education system, including NFE and equivalency frameworks.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Bangla and English (both written and spoken) is required

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• Demonstrated experience working with UN agencies (preferably UNICEF), international NGOs, and/or government institutions, particularly in the education sector.

Technical and Facilitation Skills

• Strong background and demonstrated skills in facilitating trainings, workshops, consultations, coaching, and mentoring.

• Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government counterparts and community-level actors.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ability to prepare high-quality reports and presentations.

Other Competencies

• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment and respond to evolving priorities.

• Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills in Bangla and English.

• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks independently and meet deadlines.

Other Desired Skills

• Experience in developing Non-Formal Education (NFE) or alternative learning programmes for out-of-school children, particularly in the 10–14 age group.

• Experience in working on competency-based education, accelerated learning programmes, or equivalency frameworks in Bangladesh or similar contexts.

• Experience in collaborating with government agencies (e.g., BNFE), UNICEF, or other development partners in education sector initiatives.

• Ability to create innovative, learner-centered, and inclusive teaching-learning materials, including contextualized content for marginalized and hard-to reach populations.

• Ability to create practical and user-friendly assessment tools aligned with learning outcomes and competency standards.

• Experience in field testing, validation, and revision of education packages or curriculum materials.

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 (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal TMC0005280.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal

A technical proposal is required to address:

• Understanding of the Assignment

• Technical Approach and Methodology

• Work Plan and Implementation Schedule

• Team Composition and Relevant Expertise

• Relevant Experience and Track Record

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable 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.

Education Consultant, Education Section, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Office Based, 7 Months (Open For Nationals of Bangladesh Only) Req#595648