Consultancy - Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics Programme (SEA-PLM) Consultant, East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand, Job#588548

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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.

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For every child, the right to
a better future
UNICEF Works To Ensure The Rights Of All Children In The East Asia And Pacific Region. This Means The Rights Of Every Child Living In This Country, Irrespective Of Their Nationality, Gender, Religion Or Ethnicity, To

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?
UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical assistance to UNICEF EAPRO and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO, the two co-chairs of SEA-PLM. The consultancy will focus on conducting secondary analysis, preparing reports and supporting the organization and smooth running of several key SEA-PLM events in 2026.

Work assignment
(remote/home-based modality, not office-based)
, Expected deliverables and Delivery schedule:
Deliverable
Assignment detail
# of days expected
Due date

• SEA-PLM 2024 SDG analysis

Provide a short technical paper on how SEA-PLM 2024 can be used to report against SDG4.1.1.b., including with strong technical rationale for the change in the benchmarking

10

January 2026

• Secondary research plan

Prepare a research and data analysis plan for the secondary research based on SEA-PLM 2024 (gender, teachers – final topics to be agreed)

8

January 2026

• SEA-PLM 2024 writing domain regional report

Finalize the regional report on the SEA-PLM 2024 writing domain, with high quality technical analysis. A technical note should be provided on the comparability to the 2019 results

20

February 2026

• SEA-PLM 2024 gender report

Finalize the in-depth gender analysis of the SEA-PLM data, including triangulation with the Equal and Empowered work

15

March 2026

• Donor report to SEAMEO

Provide technical inputs to the donor report to SEAMEO on the current Contribution Agreement financing, collaborating closely with colleagues to document results and lessons learnt, particularly around Initiative 2

5

March 2026

• Secondary analysis on teachers

Finalize a secondary analysis of teachers based on SEA-PLM 2024 data

15

April 2026

• SEA-PLM Regional Steering Committee

Support the organization of the RSC and contribute high quality presentations and analysis during the meeting, in close collaboration with SEAMEO

15

May 2026

• Documentation of SEA-PLM 2024 methodology

Harmonize, quality assure and document all SEA-PLM 2019 and 2024 methodology notes and data manuals, and produce a lessons learnt document with recommendations to improve the 2029 cycle

15

June 2026

• Travel budget (1 mission to Bangkok/Viet Nam)

Support the drafting and review of the various reports and support the RSC preparations with SEAMEO

1 trip (max 10 days)

June 2026

Duration of Contract:
1 January – 30 June 2026

Duty Travel:
1 mission expected to Bangkok and Viet Nam for the organization and conduct of the SEA-PLM Regional Steering Committee

Payment Schedule
Deliverables
# of days expected
Due date

• SEA-PLM 2024 SDG analysis

10

January 2026

• Secondary research plan

8

January 2026

• SEA-PLM 2024 writing domain regional report

20

February 2026

• SEA-PLM 2024 gender report

15

March 2026

• Donor report to SEAMEO

5

March 2026

• Secondary analysis on teachers

15

April 2026

• -PLM Regional Steering Committee

15

May 2026

• Documentation of SEA-PLM 2024 methodology

15

June 2026

• Travel budget (1 mission to Bangkok/Viet Nam)

1 trip (max 10 days)

June 2026

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

• An advanced University Degree in Education, Human Development, Public Policy, Sociology or other social science field;
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience with ILSAs, programme planning, management and research, some of which preferably in a developing country context, especially in Southeast Asia and with the UN
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in management and implementation of international large-scale learning assessments/cross-national learning assessments
• Proven analytical skills and ability to work with others to develop strategy into action and communicating and influencing this to a wider audience
• High-level interpersonal and communications skills (spoken and written in English); with the ability to write clear, concise reports and to facilitate/lead a group of individuals and impart knowledge;
• Proven ability to work independently, under time-pressure and to manage conflicting priorities

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by
10 December 2025.
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 is here to serve the world's most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered "staff members" under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF's policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.