National Consultant (COORDINATION OF GENOCIDE EDUCATION INITIATIVES) (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) contract NEW

Type of contract : Non-staff

Hiring Unit : Communication & Information Unit (CI)

Duty Station : Phnom Penh

Work location : Phnom Penh

Duration of contract : 6 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+7 Time) : Midnight – UTC+7 Time / Phnom Penh time): 11/05/2026

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

BACKGROUND
The International Programme on Holocaust and Genocide Education (IPHGE), jointly implemented by UNESCO and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), has been advancing education on violent pasts, fostering critical thinking, and promoting sustainable peace across diverse national contexts since 2015.

In line with the 2023 Recommendation on Education and the objectives of IPHGE, UNESCO is supporting the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in strengthening history education about the Democratic Kampuchea period and related crimes. During the 2021-2025 IPHGE cycle, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport successfully updated the history education textbooks for Grade 9 and 12 and started to expand teacher training in close cooperation with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (TSGM) under the Ministry of Culture.

In July 2025, UNESCO recognized the historical sites of the former M-13 prison, the former S-21 prison (today: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum), and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center as UNESCO World Heritage. Their inscription on the World Heritage List signifies international recognition of these sites as possessing Outstanding Universal Value as places of conscience, bearing witness to crimes against humanity. Beyond affirming their historical importance, the designation opens new pathways to strengthen Cambodia’s efforts in education, remembrance, and reconciliation.

While Cycle I of IPHGE in Cambodia laid a strong foundation for integrating genocide education into the national curriculum, the momentum must be sustained in order to support Cambodia in its commitment to building a sustainable, peaceful and more inclusive society. In support of this, UNESCO is launching Cycle II (2025-2027) of the “Strengthening Genocide Education in Cambodia: Advancing Curriculum Practice, Capacity Building, Promoting Peace and Reconciliation”.

Building on the foundations established during Cycle I, the new cycle of IPHGE aims to:

•    Enhance the integration of genocide education into curriculum practice by developing a standardized, contextually relevant teaching manual aligned with national policies and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) principles.
•    Strengthen institutional and educator capacity through teacher training workshops, equipping teachers and education officials with the skills and resources for effective classroom implementation.
•    Promote critical thinking, empathy, and historical understanding among students through a student-centered approach encouraging reflective learning and dialogue.
•    Reinforce Cambodia’s commitment to GCED and international education frameworks that support peace, human rights, and responsible civic engagement.

In parallel to this initiative, and within the framework of the current IPHGE programme cycle, UNESCO seeks to further organize an international training for education policymakers on “Addressing violent pasts through education” with an explicit focus on teacher capacities and teacher training in 2026 in Phnom Penh, to strengthen capacities of policymakers globally to design and implement related policies and programmes, against the backdrop of the three recently inscribed World Heritage Sites of memory in Cambodia.

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia and the direct supervision of the Associate Project Officer for the CI Unit, the incumbent shall lead the coordination and oversight of the International Programme on Holocaust and Genocide Education (IPHGE) in Cambodia, while supporting the broader implementation of Communication and Information (CI) Programme activities. Specifically, the incumbent will:

•    Serve as focal point for IPHGE and supervise national consultants, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery of all outputs in line with UNESCO standards and donor requirements;
•    Coordinate with relevant Ministries, national stakeholders, international partners, and UNESCO HQ to ensure coherent and effective implementation of IPHGE activities;
•    Monitor project progress, review and validate deliverables, identify risks, and ensure proper documentation, reporting, and visibility of results;
•    Support programme management processes, including procurement, drafting of Terms of Reference, contract management, and compliance with UNESCO administrative and financial procedures;
•    Provide technical inputs and quality assurance to outputs related to genocide education, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), and broader CI thematic areas, including drafting of briefs and knowledge products;
•    Coordinate activities on peace education and youth engagement;
•    Facilitate communication and coordination between consultants, experts, and national counterparts, and contribute to donor reporting and internal documentation;
•    Contribute to the design and implementation of CI Programme activities in Cambodia, including organizing meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement;
•    Support communication and outreach efforts, including preparation of visibility materials and press-related activities;
•    Carry out other tasks as required by the UNESCO Representative and project team.

CONTRACT DURATION
Duration: 6 months

COMPETENCIES – Core (C) & Managerial (M)
•    Communication (C)
•    Accountability (C)
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement (C)
•    Planning and Organizing (C)
•    Building Partnerships (M)
•    Driving and Managing Change (M)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245056

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
•    Master’s Degree (University-level) in Media, Communications, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Education, Public Policy, or other relevant fields.

WORK EXPERIENCE
•    A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in programme or project coordination, preferably within an international organization or UN system;
•    Demonstrated experience coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, including engagement with government counterparts, international partners, and civil society organizations;
•    Experience in human rights, freedom of expression, peace education, or related fields, with an understanding of issues relevant to historical memory, reconciliation, or Global Citizenship Education (GCED);
•    Proven ability to design and support capacity-building programmes, including training, technical assistance, and stakeholder outreach;
•    Strong analytical and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce quality reports, briefs, and communications materials;
•    Fluency in English and Khmer, both written and spoken, is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
•    Prior experience working with UNESCO or within the UN system, including familiarity with UNESCO’s Communication and Information (CI) programme areas and administrative procedures;
•    Experience in gender equality, women’s rights, or inclusive approaches to education and communications programming;
•    Familiarity with Cambodian history, including the Democratic Kampuchea period, and its relevance to current education and reconciliation efforts;
•    International work experience, including study or professional assignments abroad or with international bodies operating in Cambodia.

APPLICATION
Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following documents:

•    A letter of expression of interest
•    An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
•    A technical proposal outlining the candidate’s approach to the position

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
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).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
•    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.
•    Individuals 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.