Consultant – Lifelong Learning Policy (Hamburg, Germany) contract

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Level :  Level 2 – Middle

Hiring Unit : Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)

Duty Station : Hamburg

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 8 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+1 Time) : 17/04/2026

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

Across regions, countries are increasingly seeking to position lifelong learning as a core organising principle of education, skills and social development. Many have made significant progress through national policies, local initiatives and participation in international cooperation. However, practical challenges remain in coordinating responsibilities across ministries and levels of government, linking national policy frameworks with local implementation, integrating formal, non-formal and informal learning pathways, and ensuring that lifelong learning contributes to broader priorities such as inclusion, employability and sustainability.

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), in cooperation with Shanghai Open University (SOU), is implementing a programme of intensive, context-specific technical collaboration to support a small group of countries in strengthening their lifelong learning systems through multi-level and multi-sectoral engagement. The collaboration connects national system reform with local-level capacity-building through the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) Academy, creating a bridge between policy and practice. The programme combines national lifelong learning system analysis, online capacity-building and technical exchange, engagement with the GNLC Academy, and national or sub-regional policy dialogue, carried out through co-development between UIL and partner countries.

As the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) continues to grow – now comprising more than 425 member cities across 91 countries – demand is increasing for practical, accessible resources that support cities at different stages of learning city development. Cities aspiring to join the GNLC need guidance on what a learning city is, what it involves in practice, and how to begin building the governance, partnerships and systems that underpin it. Established member cities, meanwhile, face growing pressures from emergencies, conflict, displacement and other crises that directly disrupt lifelong learning and require city-centred responses that existing frameworks have not addressed.

UIL is responding to both needs through the development of a suite of practical capacity-building resources for aspiring and current learning cities. Two resources are being developed in parallel. The first is a set of foundational modules for cities seeking to join the GNLC or in the early stages of learning city development, providing guidance on the principles and key features of a learning city, multi-stakeholder governance and partnership, and how to get started. The second is a practical toolkit on learning cities in emergencies, co-constructed with Ukrainian and other GNLC member cities and key partners, providing city-centred guidance on safeguarding and adapting lifelong learning systems before, during and after crises. The relative priority of these two resources will be determined by operational decisions and available funding; both are reflected in this consultancy.

This area of work also encompasses UIL’s intensified technical support to Ukraine in 2026, including to the newly established national network of learning cities and, in coordination with UNESCO Kyiv and DVV International, to the Ministry of Education and Science on lifelong learning policy and systems development.

Under the supervision of Mr Raúl Valdés (Skills throughout Life team, UIL), the consultant will be responsible for the following assignments, clustered in four areas:

A.  Implementing the LLL systems programme

This is the primary focus of the contract. The consultant will lead implementation of the UIL-SOU LLL systems programme for 2026, providing context-specific technical support to three partner countries. The programme involves multi-level and multi-sectoral engagement with national stakeholders throughout the year. Activities include:

• Lead the stock-taking exercise for the three participating countries, drawing on desk research and structured scoping to characterize existing LLL policies, legal frameworks, institutional mandates and coordination arrangements
• Develop and iteratively refine draft country profiles for each of the three countries through continuous engagement with national stakeholders, including ministries and relevant partners, serving as a shared evidence base for further discussion and reform planning
• Support participating countries in articulating priorities for system strengthening through structured consultations, analytical work and technical exchanges, in line with the national ownership and multi-sectoral engagement principles of the programme
• Coordinate and deliver online capacity-building activities and technical exchange sessions with country teams, covering lifelong learning governance, policy coherence, coordination mechanisms and system development
• Prepare and follow up on national or sub-regional policy dialogues for each participating country, providing technical facilitation inputs and supporting the identification of policy priorities and directions
• Maintain coordination with UIL colleagues responsible for any additional countries in the programme, and liaise with SOU and other experts and partners as relevant

B.  Developing capacity-building resources for learning cities

The consultant will lead UIL’s work on developing capacity-building resources for learning cities in 2026. This encompasses up to three interconnected strands – the development of foundational learning city modules, the development of an emergencies toolkit, and intensified technical support to Ukraine – with the relative priority of the first two strands subject to operational decisions and available funding. The consultant will maintain progress across all strands to the extent possible, and be prepared to accelerate delivery on whichever resource is prioritised.

Capacity-building resource development

The consultant will lead the development and finalisation of one or more modular capacity-building resources for learning cities, the precise scope and sequencing of which will be confirmed in the early phase of the contract. Resources under development include practical guidance for cities on how to adopt and contextualise the UNESCO learning city approach, as well as a practical toolkit to support cities in safeguarding lifelong learning in emergencies. Activities include:

• Finalise and revise draft modules for each resource, drawing on GNLC city inputs, existing UIL and partner frameworks, and relevant good practice
• Coordinate consultation, review and revision processes with GNLC cities, UIL staff and external experts
• Support the editorial, design and publication process and coordinate launch and dissemination through GNLC and partner channels
• Explore partnership and funding opportunities for the continuation and scaling of this work in 2027

Support to Ukraine

The consultant will lead UIL’s technical support to Ukraine in 2026, working in close coordination with the UNESCO National Commission of Ukraine, UNESCO Kyiv and DVV International. Activities include:

• Support the newly formed national network of learning cities, including provision of technical guidance, development of relevant materials and support to the network’s organisational development and engagement activities
• Provide targeted technical support to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine on lifelong learning policy and systems issues, including participation in relevant expert exchanges or consultative processes
• Ensure that the knowledge and experience of Ukrainian learning cities – particularly on sustaining lifelong learning under wartime conditions – is systematically documented and integrated into the emergencies toolkit, establishing Ukrainian cities as co-authors and knowledge holders rather than solely recipients of support
• Build on and document activities carried out with Ukrainian GNLC cities in previous years, contributing institutional memory and analytical continuity to the broader Ukraine engagement

approximately 24 April to 31 December 2026

This consultancy is home-based. Eight deliverables are to be submitted over the course of the contract, each covering a period of approximately four weeks.

Deliverable (1)

14 May 2026

LLL systems stock-taking exercise completed for all three participating countries; programme coordination note confirming roles, workflow and country engagement approach

Inception note for capacity-building resource development, documenting outcomes of initial scoping consultations, agreed priorities between the foundational modules and emergencies toolkit (or both), module structure(s) and production arrangements

Deliverable (2)

11 June 2026

Draft country profiles for all three participating countries, drawing on desk research and initial stakeholder exchanges, with inputs to GNLC Academy conceptual and operational planning

Development of first batch of modules for the priority capacity-building resource(s), incorporating inputs from GNLC cities and relevant frameworks; where both the foundational modules and the emergencies toolkit are being developed in parallel, progress notes on each

Deliverable (3)

9 July 2026   

Record of online capacity-building and technical exchange activities delivered with the three country teams, including summary of thematic content, country responses and agreed next steps

Development of second batch of modules for the priority capacity-building resource(s), together with documentation of technical support provided to the Ukrainian national network of learning cities in Q2 2026

Deliverable (4)

13 August 2026         

Updated country profiles for all three participating countries, accompanied by a synthesis note drawing together emerging findings and priorities across the three countries

Development of third and final batch of modules for the priority capacity-building resource(s), with integrated case studies and resource framework mapping; inputs to GNLC Academy online learning modules where relevant

Deliverable (5)

10 September 2026

Preparatory materials developed to support national or sub-regional policy dialogues for the participating countries; documentation of technical support provided to Ukraine on lifelong learning policy and systems issues

Full draft of priority capacity-building resource(s) compiled with feedback incorporated; pilot testing or peer review with relevant GNLC cities undertaken

Deliverable (6)

8 October 2026

Final country profiles for all three participating countries incorporating feedback; support provided to the UIL team for GNLC Academy in-person implementation

Revised and finalised emergencies toolkit text ready for editorial and design production, accompanied by the condensed city manager’s quick-reference guide

Deliverable (7)

12 November 2026

Documentation of national or sub-regional policy dialogue support provided across the participating countries

Published capacity-building resource(s) available in digital format in English and at least one additional language, with a record of the launch event(s) and dissemination activities undertaken

Deliverable (8)

9 December 2026

Final LLL systems programme report for 2026, documenting implementation across all three countries, key findings from the system analyses and policy dialogues and recommendations for the continuation of the programme in 2027

End-of-year report on capacity-building resource development activities, summarising progress on the foundational modules and/or emergencies toolkit, Ukraine support activities across national and local levels, and recommendations for continuation and scaling of this work in 2027 including potential funding and partnership opportunities

Payment schedule

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (1) by 21.05.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (2) by 18.06.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (3) by 16.07.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (4) by 20.08.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (5) by 17.09.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (6) by 15.10.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (7) by 19.11.2026

3,000 euros upon submission of Deliverable (8) by 09.12.2026

• 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

• Master’s degree in education, international development, political science, social sciences or a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in education policy, lifelong learning or international cooperation, with a track record of contributing to both policy analysis and practical capacity-building.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating multi-stakeholder activities – including workshops, policy dialogues and international exchanges – across different cultural and institutional contexts, ideally in multiple regions.
• Experience working with or in support of local and municipal authorities, city networks or decentralized governance structures in the field of education or lifelong learning.
• Experience in analyzing education systems in challenging or crisis-affected contexts would be an asset.
• Familiarity with UNESCO’s normative frameworks and programmes in lifelong learning and education, and with the landscape of international partners working in this area. Prior experience within the UNESCO system, particularly with UIL or the GNLC, would be a strong advantage.
• Engagement with academic or policy research on education, lifelong learning or related themes, demonstrated through publications, consultancy reports or advanced study, is desirable.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent drafting skills, with the ability to produce clear, well-structured analytical and technical documents for diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, including the ability to draw on multiple sources to produce coherent policy-relevant outputs.
• Proven ability to manage workstreams independently, meet deadlines and maintain quality under pressure.
• Proficiency in standard office and collaboration tools; experience with data visualization or reporting tools would be an advantage.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French would be an asset.

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.   

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Deadline of application: 17 April – 23:59 CEST (Paris local time) 

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).

• 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.