Consultant: Education and Gender Policies

• Job Title: Consultant: Education and Gender Policies

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support the School Education Department (SED) formulate two interrelated and strategic policy documents: a revisedEducation Policyand a standaloneGender Equality in Education Policyfor the province of Balochistan, that are responsive to local needs, inclusive, and evidence based. These policies will serve as foundational instruments for guiding equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education service delivery in alignment with provincial, national, and international commitments.

Scope of work

Under the supervision of and in close collaboration with IIEP-UNESCO team coordinator, the consultant shall support the development of two critical policy instruments:
1. A revised and forward-lookingProvincial Education Policythat builds upon the 2015 Provincial Education Policy and integrates the strategic priorities of the Balochistan Education Sector Plan (BESP 2020–2025) and the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024–2028) and that provides strategic direction, coherence, and an enabling framework for ongoing and future reforms for the whole sector; and
2. A dedicatedProvincial Gender Equality in Education Policythat addresses structural inequalities, fosters girls' participation and learning, and promotes gender-responsive planning and governance within the education sector.

More specifically, the consultant shall support the following activities:

Inception work: documentations review, needs assessment and data analysis

a. Review existing policy documents and data, including the 2015 Provincial Education Policy, BESP (2020–2025), the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024–2028), ITAP-EFA Assessment, relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, studies and reports, and administrative data.
a. Co-prepare and co-facilitate inclusive and participatory consultative meetings to gather diverse inputs and perspectives from both provincial and sub-provincial key stakeholders on the current state and needs of the education system (during a two-week mission in Quetta and/or at distance).
b. Co-analyse the data and insights gathered from the consultative meetings to identify key themes and priorities.
c. Co-conduct a comprehensive analysis of sector performance and challenges using available data, stakeholder inputs, and field-level insights.

2. Provincial Gender Equality in Education Policy

Inception work: documentations review, needs assessment and data analysis

a. Review existing policy documents and data, including the 2015 Provincial Education Policy, BESP (2020–2025), the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024–2028), ITAP-EFA Assessment, relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, studies and reports, and administrative data.
b. Co-prepare and co-facilitate inclusive and participatory consultative meetings to gather diverse inputs and perspectives from both provincial and sub-provincial key stakeholders on gender equality in education (during a two-week mission in Quetta and/or at distance).
c. Co-analyse the data and insights gathered from the consultative meetings to identify key themes and priorities.
d. Co-conduct a comprehensive gender diagnostic of the education sector that identifies key barriers to gender equity in enrolment, learning, school leadership, and the education workforce and that map current gender-responsive practices, legal protections, and institutional gaps using available data, stakeholder inputs, and field-level insights.

Academic Qualifications:
Advanced university degree (at least a master's degree) in Education, Public Policy, Gender Studies, or a related field.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience at national, regional and global level in gender-responsive education policy development, sector planning, analysis and education reform.
• Demonstrate ability in drafting high level gender-responsive policy/strategic planning documents and reports, sector and gender analyses for Ministries of Education
• Proven experience in conducting assessments, stakeholder consultations, and facilitating participatory, capacity-development approaches.
• Familiarity with the education landscape of Pakistan or similar contexts (fragile and conflict affected situations).
• Previous work with government institutions, development partners, and international organizations is an asset.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical, drafting editable, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data and information into actionable policy recommendations.
• Fluency in English (required).
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to engage in policy dialogue with diverse stakeholders including government, civil society, and marginalized groups.