Individual Consultant – Teacher Education and Development Specialist (Cambodian Nationals Only) (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) contract Full Time Part Time

Parent Sector : Education Unit, UNESCO Phnom Penh Office

Duty Station : Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Remote, home-based)

Type of Contract : Non-staff Consultant Contract

Grade : Level 3 – Senior

Duration of contract : 11 months, tentatively June 2026 to April 2027

Recruitment open to : Cambodian nationals only

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time ) : 20 May 2026

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

I.    Background
Following the success of the first phase of Strengthening Teacher Education Programmes in Cambodia (STEPCam), UNESCO and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) is implementing STEPCam Phase II through $12.62 million System Transformation Grant (STG) financed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
Building on the achievements of STEPCam Phase I, the programme retains a strong focus on enhancing the quality of education in Cambodia towards its ultimate objective of improving the learning outcomes of students. The programme aims to achieve its objectives through four components: 
•    Component 1: Teacher Education, which focuses on strengthening pre-service teacher education to cultivate teaching excellence

•    Component 2: Teacher Professional Development, through strengthening continuous professional development (CPD)

•    Component 3: Classroom Learning, which aims at building capacity for effective early grade teaching and learning

•    Component 4: Digital Transformation in Education, focusing on building institutional readiness for the effective use of digital strategies in education delivery in Cambodia
The National Consultant will act as the focal point and directly contribute to the implementation of STEPCam Components 1 and 2, in close coordination with the STEPCam Programme Manager and programme team, and MoEYS technical departments. 

II.    Scope of the assignment 
Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia and the supervision of the Chief of Education Unit and the STEPCam Phase II Programme Manager and in close collaboration with the education unit as well as the relevant Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) technical departments, the Consultant will provide technical support for the following areas of work:

1.    Provide technical support and coordination to the strategic and operational planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities and sub-activities under STEPCam’s Components 1 and 2 in line with the results framework, including:
a.    Provide support for the oversight and monitoring of the delivery of activities by programme counterparts, consultants and experts, to ensure its alignment with project objectives and targets;
b.    Support the monitoring and evaluation activities of Components 1 and 2, in coordination with the M&E Specialist, programme staff and other consultants, to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of timely resolutions as necessary to ensure that activity implementation under Components 1 and 2 are on track and in line with the STEPCam results framework

c.    Contribute to the preparation of STEPCam progress reports, other programme reporting to the UNCT and sector coordination groups, presentations and communication materials
d.    Provide technical coordination, quality assurance and review of deliverables from consultants and institutional partners contributing to Components 1 and 2
e.    Provide support to the MoEYS and STEPCam to coordinate and facilitate monitoring missions for the oversight of activity implementation

2.    Provide technical support to the MoEYS departments, and in close collaboration with relevant development partners, to further advance the planning and implementation of the teacher education reform. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.    Provide technical support to the strengthening of institutional capacity of teacher education institutions to implement the teacher education reform and foster teaching excellence, including the development and implementation of IQA mechanisms at teacher education institutions

b.    Work closely with the institutional partner, MoEYS technical departments and TEIs to support the institutional capacity building of TEIs in their roles as CPD service providers, and provide technical oversight and quality assurance for the development of new CPD offerings by the TEIs
c.    Provide technical advice to STEPCam and the MoEYS in the organisation, preparation and implementation of the 2026 Annual Teacher Development Conference, including setting the themes and discussion topics, ensuring the successful completion of the event and high-level strategic visibility for UNESCO, GPE and STEPCam
d.    Coordinate with the STEPCam programme team for the implementation of key interventions, including the BA+1 (primary), 12+4 (primary), MEd (primary) programmes and action research grants, and provide technical advice to STEPCam and the MoEYS, as necessary

3.    Provide technical support to the MoEYS departments for the institutionalization and expansion of the CPD system and CPD Management Information System (CPDMIS) nationwide. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
a.    Provide technical advice for the expansion of the CPD supply from accredited Teacher Education Institutions, Technical Departments (TDs), Development Partners (DPs), and other potential providers;
b.    Support MoEYS with the accreditation of CPD providers and offerings;
c.    Provide technical advice for the identification of future priorities for CPD, CPDMIS and HRCPD system development and rollout and support advocacy to promote high-level buy-in and support, including integration of trainings provided by TDs and DPs in the CPD system;
d.    Provide technical advice to the MoEYS TDs, particularly CPD Management Office of the Teacher Development Department, in CPD system management and implementation;
e.    Provide technical support, in close collaboration with the international expert(s), to the development of the mechanisms for Recognition of Prior Learning and self-directed CPD;
f.    Provide technical support to the MoEYS TDs for the development and pilot of CPD voucher mechanisms to roll out school-based CPD that allows teachers to procure CPD activities based on professional needs
g.    Provide technical support, in close collaboration with the international expert(s), for the development of the national Teacher Qualification Upgrading Framework and Implementation Plan 2026-2030, in alignment with the Strategic Plan for Teacher Education Reform in Cambodia 2024-2030 and in interaction with the CPD and TCP systems

h.    Provide technical support to the MoEYS TDs for the planning and pilot of the TCP system, including the review and update of the TCP Framework and Implementation Guidelines, institutional capacity building of the MoEYS TDs to implement TCP appraisals, and the design and implementation of TCP impact evaluations

4.    Provide technical assistance and support for UNESCO’s role as a strategic partner in Cambodia’s education sector, including its engagement with education policy discussions and sector coordination mechanisms with government entities and development partners, including:
a.    Coordinate and work with the Programme Manager and the team to support MoEYS in integrating the Management Information Systems, and contributing to education sector planning, especially for development and professionalization of the teaching force;
b.    Contribute to the implementation and/or Mid-Term Reviews of the Education Strategic Plan 2024-2028, Teacher Policy Action Plan (TPAP) 2024-2030 and the Strategic Plan for Teacher Education Reform 2024-2030, with a focus on the areas of the plan relevant to UNESCO’s work

5.    Support the Chief of Education and Programme Manager in the strategic engagement of GPE-related work and processes in the Education Unit, including:

a.    Contribute to the GPE 2030 country process in Cambodia, including identification of national education priorities for grant proposal and support consultation and coordination with the MoEYS Departments and key partners in the education sector, especially the Coordination Agency, other Grant Agent(s) and Multiplier co-financiers, if the country process commences during the contract period;
b.    Work closely with counterparts in relevant MoEYS TDs (primarily Department of Teacher Education, Department of Teacher Development, Department of Human Resource, Department of Policy, Department of Planning, Department of Digital Transformation, and Teacher Education Institutions) and development partners, including liaising between departments as necessary and facilitating communication between international experts and national counterparts;
c.    Support the timely coordination and release of all reports as required by the team
d.    Advise the Programme Manager of any potential challenges and work with the team to address the challenges to achieve the programme’s implementation milestones as planned;
e.    Ensure that implementation tasks and responsibilities are carried out on time, within budget, and in accordance with the basic principles of good governance;
f.    Participate and support preparation for programme-related meetings and activities arranged both by government counterparts, NGOs and other partners as required;

6.    Carry out other work and responsibilities as assigned by the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, Chief of Education and STEPCam Programme Manager

III.    Deliverables 

The consultant is expected to submit a monthly progress report at the end of each calendar month after the contract start date on the tasks undertaken and accomplished in line with the above-mentioned responsibilities.

IV.    Contract duration, location and other conditions

The duration of the contract will be for a period of 11 months, during which the Consultant is expected to provide technical assistance on a part-time basis, equivalent to 60 per cent of full-time capacity.

The Consultant will be responsible for their necessary tools, equipment (laptop, printer, etc.) and software to complete the assignment. The Consultant may be required to undertake missions in Cambodia during the contract period.

V.    Required qualifications

Education
•    Advanced University Degree (Master’s or PhD) in the field of education, social science or fields related to teaching and learning

Professional experience
•    At least 10 years of professional experience in the field of education, teacher education, ICT in education or other relevant fields
•    Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance and project management, programme design, monitoring and implementation in the education sector in Cambodia
•    Strong capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships inside and outside the organization
•    Strong capacity to provide advice and technical support on education, teacher education and professional development, ICT in education, SDG4-Education 2030 

Skills and competencies
•    Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills
•    Good knowledge and understanding of government functioning
•    Proven conceptual and analytical skills, including the demonstrated ability to provide advice and technical support on education, teacher education and professional development, ICT in education, SDG4-Education 2030 
•    Solid understanding of the education sector and teacher development context in Cambodia, its key challenges and viable solutions
•    Ability to take initiative, establish priorities and capacity to work efficiently under pressure
•    Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, ability to work in a team and manage other people to achieve shared objectives

Language skills
•    Professional proficiency in written and spoken Khmer and English 

Desirable qualifications
•    Demonstrated experience in research and up-to-date teaching and learning practices, curriculum design and implementation 
•    Experience working with the UN, and knowledge of UN regulations and guidelines 
•    Good understanding of UNESCO’s mandate, procedures and policies

VI.    How to apply
Interested candidates are kindly requested to click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History Form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, the candidate must insert extra pages with the following required information in English:

(Please note UNESCO cannot consider an incomplete proposal that does not include the following information requested.)
1.    Curriculum Vitae or Resume 
2.    Technical proposal (3 pages maximum) explaining the methodology for undertaking the assignment
3.    Financial proposal, indicating a monthly rate (quoted in US$), to undertake the terms of reference above.
4.    The contact details of three referees

If you are unable to attach requirements in the system, please inform us at phnompenh@unesco.org.

VII.    Selection and recruitment process 
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.