Individual Consultant – Study on Recognition and QA of Micro‑credentials in Asia‑Pacific (Bangkok, Thailand) contract

Type of contract : Consultant Contract (Author)

Level :  Level 3- Senior

Hiring Unit : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station : Bangkok

Work location : Remote

Duration of contract : 9 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : 04-MAR-2026

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

Across the world and in Asia and the Pacific, micro credentials are emerging as a key instrument to support flexible lifelong learning and cross-border mobility. However, their recognition, quality assurance, and integration within National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) and Regional Qualifications Frameworks (RQFs) remain uneven across countries. UNESCO has proposed a common definition of micro-credentials as a foundation for recognition and portability of micro-credentials. 

The Asia Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education (Tokyo Convention) and the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education (Global Convention) promote fair recognition of qualifications, including of partial studies and learning acquired through non traditional modes, offering a normative basis to extend cross-border recognition of Micro-credentials. Amid the exponential growth in use of micro-credentials for learning and professional development especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO has also conducted studies on use cases of micro-credentials in selected Asia-Pacific countries to inform transformation of higher education systems.

Meanwhile, regional organisations such as ASEAN, the Pacific Community and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Organisation (APEC) developed sub-regional qualifications frameworks, guidelines and studies to inform regional comparability mechanisms to improve transparency and mobility. Despite this, research on and guidance for processes of cross border recognition, quality assurance and digital verification of micro-credentials remain limited in Asia Pacific. 

UNESCO Bangkok, with the support of the Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust (KFIT), is implementing the project ‘Educational Innovation & Regional Integration in Asia-Pacific: Action Plan to Facilitate Cross-border Recognition of Qualifications for Students and Professionals’ (2025 – 2028). It aims to increase student and faculty mobility in the region and improve fair and transparent qualifications recognition through increased capacities to ratify and implement the Tokyo Convention and Global Convention on Higher Education. 

As part of the project’s implementation and in line with the APNNIC Action Plan to 2030, UNESCO Bangkok is seeking a consultant to conduct a regional study to inform policies and provide operational guidance for national qualifications authorities, quality assurance agencies and National Information Centres (NICs) in Asia-Pacific countries in terms of recognition and quality assurance of micro-credentials. 

The consultant shall plan and execute the study to generate actionable, evidence based recommendations and operational guidelines for more stackable micro credentials in Asia Pacific, aligned with UNESCO’s recognition conventions with due attention to gender equality, inclusion, and sub regional diversity:

1) Desk review & mapping (March–April 2026)

• Define the scope, research questions, methodology and work plan of the study in consultation with UNESCO Bangkok.
• Systematic review of laws and policies (micro-credential definitions, micro-credential integration within NQFs, QA, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, digital credentialing) in the target systems.
• Comparative documentation of NQF processes, NIC mandates, and QA agency roles relevant to micro-credential recognition. 
• Deliverable: inception report
• Estimated number of working days: 15 working days 

2) Surveys, Key informant interviews (KII) or focus group discussions (FGD) with stakeholders (May – July 2026): including but not limited to recognition authorities, NICs, QA agencies and networks, and experts from each sub region of the Asia-Pacific (Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific). 

• Deliverable: consultation summaries and analysis of surveys
• Estimated number of working days: 15 working days

3) Drafting report including case studies (May–August 2026): develop the first draft of the report including up to eight case studies (including both mature and emerging micro-credential ecosystems covering Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, to illustrate NQF integration choices, recognition models, and QA mechanisms, highlighting best practices and gaps). 

• Deliverable: draft research report
• Estimated number of working days: 20 working days 

4) Consultation and validation (August – October 2026): 

• Co-facilitate consultation meetings with UNESCO Bangkok to gather feedback from stakeholders and refine the report.
• Co-facilitate the validation workshop with UNESCO Bangkok to validate the study’s findings.
• Deliverable: Final research report
• Estimated number of working days: 30 working days

5) Final reporting (November 2026):

• Prepare a policy brief (maximum 10 pages) for higher education policymakers in the Asia-Pacific based on the study report.
• Develop a plan for the dissemination of the study’s findings and recommendations. 
• Deliverable: policy brief and dissemination plan
• Estimated number of working days: 10 working days

6) Ensure the report and policy brief comply with the following clauses:

• Ensure the publication adheres to all guidelines in the ‘UNESCO Style Manual’ (2004 version available at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000141812) such as terminology, abbreviations, acronyms and format of footnotes, etc.;
• Streamline UNESCO’s gender strategy, ensure the Guidelines on Gender-Neutral Language is applied throughout the publication (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377299);  
  When referring to the region, ensure to avoid using ‘in the Asia-Pacific’ and ‘in Asia Pacific’. Instead, use one of the following terms interchangeably: in the Asia-Pacific region, in Asia and the Pacific, and in Asia-Pacific;
• Use the proper names and place names that correspond to UNESCO official usage and comply the official names of these following countries (where applicable): Taiwan = Taiwan province of China, Hong Kong = Hong Kong SAR, China, South Korea = Republic of Korea, Vietnam = Viet Nam, Iran = Iran (Islamic Republic of), Laos = Lao PDR. UNESCO member states to be double checked at https://en.unesco.org/countries; 
  Compile a list of tables, figures (including diagram, chart, illustration), photos (including images, cartoons, icons) and other graphic elements from the third party-materials by using a template provided by UNESCO and secure the intellectual property rights by using the “permission consent form” (provided by UNESCO);  
• Ensure that no plagiarised or self-plagiarised material is published without appropriate acknowledgement of the source;
• Provide a proper credit or citation to the original work of the third-party materials. For any materials created by author, the “Source: author” should be placed underneath aforementioned materials;
• Avoid including maps (global, regional, country) that could be politically sensitive or that could affect the legal status of any country, territory, city, area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. If the map must be used, seeking DPI/PAX clearance is required (refer to a memo);
• Ensure greater coherence among Education publications, the structure should be following this order; cover, legal page, short summary (refer to https://unesco.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/UNESCOBangkokTeam/Ev_r2Wwxg_NAvs2LiSbYQwQBzavP0oSYtHxuZ3x-k_fUdA?e=DnuNiF), blank page, inside title page, foreword, acknowledgements, table of contents and list of figures and tables, executive summary and the content (refer to (1) How to Structure and (2) Foreword/Preface guideline—to be provided by UNESCO);
• Ensure that the publication is in full compliance with the international copyrights policy to avoid any illegal consequences as outline in the ‘General Terms and Conditions’ which annexed in this contract;
• Submit a draft manuscript in MS Word file including those permission form (if any) to UNESCO;
• Improve and incorporate suggested changes (if required) and finalise the manuscript until it is considered as satisfactory;
• Strictly meet the committed deadline.

1) Inception Report (incl. literature review) by 24 April 2026

• Refined methodology and scope; detailed workplan; instruments for surveys/FGDs/KIIs; initial policy and literature review.

2) Consultation summaries (throughout May–July 2026)

• FGD & KII summary notes (rolling) and technical note consolidating results of surveys.

3) Draft Study Report (including case studies) by 31 August 2026

• The Report should include analytical narrative; country cases; toolkit for recognition of Micro-credentials, such as recognition workflow templates; model QA criteria; draft digital trust profile & verification metrics; and policy options for referencing with RQFs and Micro-credentials’ integration within NQFs.

4) Final Study Report including feedback from consultations — by 23 October 2026

5) Policy Brief (maximum 10 pages) for higher education policymakers in Asia Pacific including key findings and practical recommendations for ministries/QA agencies/NICs, and a dissemination plan for the research — by 30 November 2026

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Bangkok, the guidance of the Chief of Education, and the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Specialist at the Education Section, the consultant will carry out the assigned tasks in consultation with the experts convened. In addition to the submission of contract deliverables, the contractor will routinely engage with the Chief of the Education Section and Education Section staff through emails and meetings. Upon commencing the consultancy, the consultant will participate in an initial online meeting with UNESCO Bangkok to reconfirm the scope of the assignment and to update, as needed, the approach to work and timeline, to define required sub-tasks and interim outputs to be carried out and the supportive inputs required from UNESCO and partners on the respective activities.

The consultancy assignment will primarily be home-based in any location and can be done by working remotely. The consultant can also visit the UNESCO Bangkok Office at their own cost if they are based outside Bangkok. The consultant should be available to meet with the UNESCO Bangkok team (online) during office hours of Bangkok, Thailand. 

• Accountability (C)
• Communication (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Required Qualifications

Education

• University degree at master’s level or equivalent in Education, Social Sciences, International Development or a related field. 

Work Experience

• At least ten years of experience in conducting relevant research projects and/or programme planning and management in higher education and training;
• At least three years of work experience acquired at the international level or in an international setting;
• Experience with researching micro-credentials, and/or flexible learning, qualifications frameworks, recognition, quality assurance, digital credentials and interoperability in Asia-Pacific;
• Understanding and knowledge of UNESCO’s mandate and its programming in relation to higher education.

Skills

• Analytical skills to collect and review higher education policy documents, reports and diverse stakeholder perspectives in Asia and the Pacific;
• Advanced research skills to plan, conduct, analyze and present findings from focus group discussions and stakeholder consultations;
• Demonstrated expertise in collaborating with governmental bodies on related research and regional consultations;
• Understands complex information and quickly identifies key issues;
• Forms sound, evidence-based judgments and assesses risks to project delivery

Language

• Excellent report writing and oral presentation skills in English.

Desirable qualifications

• Work experience in the UN or experience with assignments for the UN in Asia-Pacific;
• Knowledge of languages of the Asia-Pacific region;
• A Ph.D. in a relevant area of research would be an asset

Interested individuals are invited to submit the application and requirements to the UNESCO Careers website at https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl  

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the completed form, please add the following documents as extra pages at the end of the Word file: 

A. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a cover letter outlining how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment.

B. Technical Proposal (maximum 5 A4 pages)
Your technical proposal must include the following information:

1. Description of the methodology that you will use to carry out the tasks outlined under section “2. Work assignment”.
2. Rationale as to why you are interested and best suited to carry out this work in collaboration with UNESCO, together with relevant examples that demonstrate your experience carrying out similar initiatives (e.g. policy guidelines, analytical reports, UN/UNESCO publications).

C. Financial Proposal

1. The proposed consultancy fee for the assignment should be quoted in USD, indicating either a daily or monthly rates or a lump sum amount. The total consultancy fees should include a detailed breakdown based on level of effort, time-on-task, or per expected deliverable/output. 

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. 

From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation the best value for money.

Assessment: 
Only applications providing the information requested in the application procedure will be considered.
Evaluation of qualified applicants will include the review of the curriculum vitae, technical proposal and financial proposal.
Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview. 

Note: 
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s)about the outcome or status of the selection process.

To apply, please submit your application through the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at apnnic@unesco.org. Please indicate “Call for consultancy – Micro-credentials Study” in the email subject line for ease of reference. 

Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered. Any applications submitted after the deadline will automatically be disqualified from the process.

Queries of a technical nature about these Terms of Reference may be directed to: apnnic@unesco.org

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

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.