Senior International Consultant for Skills Strategy Development in Afghanistan

The Senior International Consultant will support UNESCO in developing a practical, evidence-based, and context-responsive Skills Development Strategy for Afghanistan to enhance livelihoods and economic development. The role involves reviewing existing strategies, conducting stakeholder consultations, developing an updated strategic framework, and supporting implementation planning with a focus on non-formal TVET and skills development in a complex socio-economic context.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a desk-based review of existing TVET, skills development and livelihood-related strategies, frameworks, assessments and programme documents, and update the knowledge base to inform the revision of the strategic framework.
• Review existing skills mapping results and develop data collection tools and undertake a mapping of non-formal skills training and education provision to fill data gaps, including relevant surveys and stakeholder consultations.
• Develop an updated strategic framework and strategy for non-formal TVET and skills development informed by the analysis that reflects current operational realities, contextual constraints, learner needs, delivery modalities and stakeholder capacities.
• Develop a practical implementation framework to support implementation of the revised strategy, including priority interventions and sequencing.
• Identify concrete entry points for private sector engagement and propose practical mechanisms to strengthen partnerships with employers, business associations, local markets, cooperatives and other relevant economic actors.
• Inform and support livelihood and skills development opportunities for adolescents, youth, women and returnees and other vulnerable populations, with attention to inclusion, certification, quality assurance and pathways to employment, entrepreneurship or further learning.
• Establish and convene a reference group to steer and advise on the development processes of the strategy.
• Conduct a series of bilateral and group consultations to gather perspectives on current challenges, opportunities, and priorities for community-based livelihoods and skills development.
• Actively engage existing coordination mechanisms and facilitate discussions within these platforms to ensure alignment and coherence with broader sectoral efforts.
• Organize and facilitate validation sessions to present preliminary findings and strategic directions, and to incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final strategy.
• Lead the development of a concise and actionable Skills Development Strategy for Afghanistan as an adaptation and contextualization of previous strategies.
• Articulate a clear vision, strategic objectives, and priority interventions presented in a results-based logical framework reflecting the Theory of Change.
• Map existing and propose additional practical private sector engagement pathways, outlining mechanisms for partnerships, skills matching, apprenticeships, and employment linkages.
• Ensure the strategy incorporates context-appropriate and sensitive approaches to inclusion, especially for women.
• Develop a costed implementation plan that translates strategic priorities into actionable interventions, including budget ranges and potential funding streams.
• Design a results framework with measurable indicators, baselines, realistic targets, and monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
• Support validation of the draft strategy through structured engagement with key stakeholders.
• Revise and finalize the strategy based on stakeholder feedback ensuring coherence and strategic integrity.
• Propose a dissemination and uptake plan to ensure wider understanding and use of the strategy.
• Make recommendations for UNESCO’s strategic direction of ongoing skills development, literacy and non-formal education initiatives in Afghanistan.
• Support Education team at UNESCO Kabul Office in implementation of skills certification, recognition of learning and quality assurance initiatives.
• Lead preparation of UNESCO in Afghanistan’s Skills Development and Literacy Action Plan for 2027 and 2028.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in the field of education, social sciences, development studies or related areas.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in TVET, skills development, and livelihoods at international level (2 countries or more), including in highly restricted contexts and environments.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven experience working on non-formal and community-based skills systems.
• Experience in private sector engagement and labour market systems.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information into concise outputs.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Excellent strategy development and strategy formulation skills.
• Strong understanding of labour markets and livelihoods programming.
• Ability to work in complex and sensitive environments.
• Strong IT skills, including good knowledge of standard office software and online collaboration tools.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Skills

• TVET Program Development
• Skills Development Strategy
• Livelihood Programming
• Strategy Development
• Non-formal Skills Systems
• Community-based Skills Systems
• Private Sector Engagement
• Labour Market Analysis
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Facilitation Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Strategic Thinking
• Information Synthesis
• Working in Fragile Contexts
• Working in Conflict-affected Contexts
• Standard Office Software
• Collaboration Tools

Languages

English