Job Description

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level : Level 3 - Senior

Hiring Unit : Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)

Duty Station : Hamburg

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 2 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 06/10/2026

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

OVERVIEW

Purpose of the Consultancy

Timeline: 1 November to 15 December 2026

The purpose of the consultancy is to design and develop the operationalisation and implementation plan for the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) Community of Practice on the Moodle-based UIL Learning Hub, with a view to enabling the three interconnected Labs to be progressively activated from early 2027. The three labs are the Advocacy Lab, the Policy and Programme Innovation Lab, and the Literacy Foresights Lab.

To develop the operationalisation and implementation plan, the consultant will draw on the collaborative framework and activities established in the GAL Action Plan 2026–2030. It will define how GAL members will access, participate in and contribute to the Community of Practice; how the three Labs will be structured and managed; how activities will be initiated, facilitated and documented; and how knowledge and resources will be curated, shared and monitored.

The consultant will design the operational set-up of the Community of Practice and its Labs on the UIL Learning Hub, while UIL will retain responsibility for strategic direction, substantive priorities, member engagement and overall coordination.

The consultancy will ensure that the proposed model is technically feasible, accessible to GAL members, proportionate to available resources, aligned with the existing functionalities of the UIL Learning Hub, and sustainable beyond the initial launch period.

Long Description

Tasks

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. UIL Learning Hub operationalisation and consultation:
2. in consultation with relevant UIL teams and the UIL Learning Hub team, identify how the existing functionalities of the UIL Learning Hub can best support the relevant activities of the GAL Action Plan and the operationalisation of the Community of Practice and its Labs.
3. identify any implications arising from the proposed operational model that should be considered by UIL for its implementation.
4. Access and participation: Map the operational roles in the Action Plan (Lead implementers, Contributors, Coordinators and the GAL Secretariat) to Learning Hub roles and permissions. Define:
5. how accounts are created and linked to GAL membership;
6. how new members and focal points will be onboarded;
7. the expected participant journey for each role;
8. the approach to languages, accessibility and low bandwidth.
9. Structure and activities of the labs:
10. propose the structure of each Lab on the Learning Hub, including which spaces are open and which are restricted. Identify the key activities for each Lab aligned to the Moodle “activities and resources” and design a template for the activities. For example- the thematic forums can be a “discussion forum activity” on the UIL Learning Hub, the policy clinics could be a Zoom meeting integrated in the UIL Learning Hub etc.
11. develop an operational model for the GAL Community of Practice and its three interconnected Labs, including options for their phased activation.
12. develop detailed initial programming for 2027 and an indicative approach for subsequent years, to be adjusted based on experience, priorities and member engagement

Long Description

1. Operational coordination and community management framework:
2. develop a practical operational coordination and community management framework for the GAL Community of Practice, in consultation with UIL, including moderation guidelines, participation guidelines, data management and protection, and ownership and licensing of co-created content in the CoPs, as well as proposed roles and responsibilities for the day-to-day facilitation of the Community of Practice.
3. identify which results-matrix indicators from the GAL Action Plan the Learning Hub can evidence, and how, so that progress can be reported annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
4. Launch workshop: Develop an outline for a virtual workshop to introduce the Community of Practice and initiate the activation of the Labs.

Long Description

Deliverables

Expected deliverables

Date 1

Consultation with relevant UIL staff (IT, Learning Hub management)

Development of operational model, operational coordination and engagement mechanisms

Develop initial programming and calendar of activities for 2027 and user guideline

Community of Practice and Labs operational design and draft operationalisation and implementation plan (tasks 1, 2, 3, 4)

Date 2

Validation with UIL, revision and final implementation plan and launch workshop outline

Revised CoP design plan and launch workshop outline (Task 5)

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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in education, lifelong learning, adult learning and education, or a related field.
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in adult learning and eductaion
• Demonstrated experience in the field of literacy
• Proficiency in English and French.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit one consolidated pdf which includes the following information (please upload this pdf INSTEAD of the employment history form):

• A short description, one page only, explaining the approach proposed for completing the project assignments. 
• A financial proposal, one page only, for delivering the activities described in the call; 
• A short CV, focusing on previous relevant working experience, consultancy assignments and deliverables and relevant expertise to this project. 

The proposal should not exceed 5 pages. Proposals missing any of the above will not be considered.   

Please note that due to the high volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration.

Deadline of application: 7 October 2026 - 23:59 CEST (Paris local time)

Long Description

Nature of penalty clause in contract

If the documents are not submitted or confirmed by UIL staff according to the deliverables and timeframe stated in this TOR, the payments will be withheld.

UNESCO reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered by the deadlines.

Additional regulations

The UIL Style and Referencing Guide shall be applied precisely with careful attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, referencing and country names. The final drafts and reports should be submitted to a publishable standard.

The English language of the work shall be mother-tongue level; the style shall target an audience of national and international experts working in the field of teacher education. Acronyms can be used, but these should be spelled out when used for the first time and be accompanied by a table of acronyms. Footnotes should generally be avoided.

Particular attention should be given to the following.

1. Consistency of style, terminology, editing and presentation;
2. Document structure and hierarchy (headings, sub-headings, numbers);
3. Consistency of bibliography with references in the text; and
4. List of acronyms

All materials developed will remain copyright of UNESCO and UNESCO will be free to adapt and modify, reproduce or otherwise use them in whatsoever form or language in the future.

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.