National Consultant: Lead Consultant

UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Education

The School Education Sector Plan and Roadmap for Sindh (SESP&R) 2019-2024 was developed in 2019 through collaborative efforts by the Reform Support Unit (RSU), School Education and Literacy Department (SELD), Local Education Group (LEG), Finance Department, Planning & Development Department, Development Partners/Donors, other stakeholders, and UNICEF. The development process was grounded in a comprehensive Education Sector Analysis (ESA) that examined the status of basic education in Sindh, identifying key achievements, gaps, challenges, and lessons learned from the previous Education Sector Plan (2014-2018). The findings led to the development of a robust Education Sector Plan and Roadmap for Sindh 2019-2024, reflecting the educational vision and priorities of the Government and aiming to achieve SDG-4 targets.

As SESP&R concluded on 31st December 2024, SELD, UNICEF, and partners plan to develop the new School Education Sector Plan for Sindh 2025-2030 (Sindh ESP 2025-30). This plan will serve as a strategic instrument to provide clear directions towards SDG-4 targets, outlining programmatic priorities, outcomes, outputs, KPIs, costing, strategies, and arrangements to address educational challenges, including out-of-school children, building on past successes and recommendations from the joint sector review.

The Sindh ESP 2025-30 will be guided by a high-quality ESA and developed following the Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparations by UNESCO's IIEP. Key ESA elements include:

• Context analysis of the education sector in Sindh
• Status of access and participation in education, interlinkages with other sectors (WASH, Child Protection, Health, Nutrition)
• Quality of teaching and learning
• Governance and management
• Educational financing and external efficiency

The plan will be strategic, holistic, evidence-based, achievable, context-sensitive, gender-responsive, and equity-focused. It will include considerations such as:

• Alignment with global and national commitments and policies
• Addressing challenges and emerging needs
• Goals, objectives, and strategic directions
• Costed implementation plan with activities, targets, roles, and linkages to SDGs
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Implementation and evaluation arrangements

In response to the education emergency in Pakistan, a Multi-Sector Strategic Roadmap for Out-of-School Children (OOSC) was developed, which the ESP will incorporate.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will collaborate with SELD, UNICEF, and stakeholders to conduct a strategic ESA and develop the Sindh ESP 2025-2030. Responsibilities include planning, data collection, stakeholder consultations, and creating a gender-responsive, equity-focused plan. Specific tasks include:

• Analyzing datasets and reports (SEMIS, ASER, Pakistan Education Statistics, EMIS-SESP&R)
• Developing a five-year plan aligned with global standards, with actionable strategies and innovative solutions
• Engaging stakeholders to ensure the plan reflects diverse needs, including marginalized groups, girls, and children with disabilities

Tasks and Sub-Tasks

1. Develop background document and outline of ESA & ESP
2. Conduct Education Sector Analysis
3. Develop the gender-responsive and equity-focused Sindh ESP 2025-2030
4. Produce a brief end-of-assignment report

Detailed TORs can be downloaded from: Lead Consultant (Education Sector Analysis, Education Sector Plan 2025–2030) Sindh, Final (Clean) 21st March 2025.

Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Education or Social Science
• Minimum 8 years' experience in education planning, management, and evaluation in Pakistan
• Extensive knowledge of education sector reform, equity-focused planning, and education in emergencies in Pakistan
• Experience in organizing technical consultations and report writing
• Ability to undertake field missions and work under pressure
• Excellent communication skills in English; knowledge of additional UN languages is an asset

Values and Inclusion:

UNICEF values Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability. We promote diversity and inclusion, offering accommodations for persons with disabilities, and encourage flexible working arrangements. We are committed to safeguarding children and promoting a discrimination-free workplace, with rigorous background checks for all candidates.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Consultants are responsible for their own taxes and visa requirements. Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required for on-site work.