School Readiness Assessment Consultant

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to education.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this assignment is to provide ERO with technical backstopping throughout the assessment cycle, including review and refinement of the assessment framework and tools, sampling design, development of assessment protocols and manuals, training of assessors and supervisors, pilot testing (if required), data collection and quality assurance, data management and analysis, report writing, dissemination of findings, and capacity strengthening of ERO staff.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:TMC0005760 ToR.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Minimum requirements:

Education: Masters University Degree in Education, Statistics, data science or relevant field.

Work Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience in sampling, assessment, quantitative analysis, preferably in education or social science.

Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of large-scale education assessments, surveys, or learning assessments.

Proven expertise in report writing. (Please provide links to reports in application)

Familiarity with early childhood/primary education or classroom-based interventions is desirable.

Familiarity with Nepal's education system and previous work with government or educational institutions preferred

Skills: Advanced technical skills in R or any compatible software (national assessment was analyzed and data codes are in R).

Strong analytical and data management capabilities.

Strong skills in data presentation

Ability to collaborate across teams and organizations.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and deliver within timelines.

Language Requirements: Excellent command in Nepali and English language

Desirables: Prior work experience with Government, UNICEF or other UN organization is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0005760 Financial proposal.xlsx
• A detailed technical proposal Applicants are requested to submit a technical proposal (maximum 5 pages) demonstrating relevant experience in the assessment

Remarks:If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.