Individual Consultant – Campus Africa Programme Implementation Support

Job details

• Organization: UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA)
• Hiring unit: Education Sector (ED)
• Contract type: Consultant contract
• Level: Level 2 – Middle
• Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
• Work location: On-site
• Contract duration: Six months
• Eligible candidates: External candidates
• Application deadline: 3 September 2026 at midnight, UTC+3

UNESCO core values

• Commitment to the Organization
• Integrity
• Respect for Diversity
• Professionalism

Programme overview

The UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, based in Nairobi, implements the Campus Africa Programme, a continental initiative aimed at transforming higher education across Africa to drive inclusive development, innovation, and regional integration.

In Eastern Africa, the programme focuses on four interconnected pillars:

• Enhancing research capacity through networking and partnerships.
• Improving relevance through links to employers and skills development.
• Building robust quality assurance systems and ensuring fair recognition of qualifications.
• Strengthening institutional governance and leadership.

During the 2026–2027 biennium, UNESCO ROEA has prioritised strategically important activities covering:

• Gender-responsive research in applied STEM.
• Artificial intelligence integration in higher education.
• Support to the East African Alliance for Digital Skills, AI Research and Innovation, also known as AI for EAC.
• Social entrepreneurship for student innovators.
• Recognition of qualifications under the Addis Ababa Convention.

These activities require sustained, high-quality technical and programmatic support to generate knowledge products, manage partnerships, coordinate evidence generation, and mobilise resources.

UNESCO ROEA is therefore seeking a qualified Individual Consultant to support the implementation of the Campus Africa Programme across its pillars and transversal axes. The Consultant will work as part of the UNESCO ROEA Campus Africa team under the direct supervision of the Education Sector Head.

Purpose of the assignment

The Individual Consultant will provide technical and programmatic support to UNESCO ROEA in implementing the 2026–2027 Campus Africa workplan in Eastern Africa.

The assignment covers five work areas drawn directly from the approved workplan:

1. Finalisation of the “Empowering Women in Applied STEM: Advancing Gender-Responsive Career Services in Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Technology” research project across selected Anglophone Eastern African countries.
2. Publication and dissemination of the pilot phase of the same “Empowering Women in Applied STEM” research project, complementing the research and report development led by UNESCO IESALC.
3. Technical and programmatic support to the Education Track of the East African Alliance for Digital Skills, AI Research and Innovation, known as AI for EAC.
4. Strengthening social entrepreneurship skills for student innovators in East Africa.
5. Promoting awareness, regional dialogue, and capacity-building on the recognition of qualifications and implementation of the Addis Ababa Convention.

The Consultant will also provide implementation and coordination support to assigned Campus Africa activities, including drafting proposals, networking, and participating in workshops across the region.

Reporting, supervision, and travel

The Individual Consultant will work under the authority of the Regional Representative and Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa.

The Consultant will be under the direct supervision of:

• The Education Unit Head.
• The Programme Specialist responsible for Campus Africa.

The Consultant will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and may be required to undertake missions to other counties in Kenya, EAC Partner States, and other countries in Eastern Africa as required by the programme. All missions will be subject to UNESCO travel authorisation and applicable provisions.

Key assignments and responsibilities

3.1 Pillar 1 – Research capacity: Finalisation of the “Empowering Women in Applied STEM” research project

The Consultant will support the completion of the extended “Empowering Women in Applied STEM” research project in the following selected Anglophone Eastern African countries:

• Kenya
• Uganda
• South Sudan
• Seychelles
• Somalia

The work will be undertaken in collaboration with UNESCO IESALC. The Consultant will contribute to overall regional consistency and coordination.

Key tasks will include:

• Producing two-page resource mobilisation briefs that analyse:
  • Gender gaps in STEM participation and transition to employment.
  • Institutional career and employability services.
  • Key structural, socio-cultural, and labour-market barriers affecting women in STEM.
  • The priorities and requirements of identified potential donors.
• Supporting the production of one synthesis report that provides:
  • Comparative analysis.
  • Regional trends.
  • Policy gaps.
  • Actionable recommendations for governments and higher education institutions across Anglophone Eastern Africa.
• Coordinating one regional knowledge-sharing webinar to:
  • Disseminate the findings.
  • Facilitate peer learning.
  • Engage policymakers, higher education institutions, and partners.
• Supporting at least one least developed country in the Eastern Africa region to implement recommendations emerging from the applied STEM research.
• Supporting the effective mobilisation, coordination, and engagement of UNESCO Chairs in designing and implementing applied STEM research activities in the Eastern Africa region.

3.2 Pillar 1 – Research capacity: Publication of the pilot phase of the “Empowering Women in Applied STEM” research project

The Consultant will support the proofreading, copy-editing, graphic design coordination, and publication of the ongoing pilot-phase research titled “Empowering Women in Applied STEM.”

The pilot-phase research covers:

• Ethiopia
• Mauritius
• Rwanda
• The United Republic of Tanzania

This work will be undertaken in collaboration with UNESCO IESALC. The Consultant will provide complementary editorial, publication, and dissemination support.

Key tasks will include:

• Supporting the coordination of the final review and clearance process and the incorporation of editorial revisions.
• Facilitating communication between the report consultant and UNESCO.
• Coordinating one regional webinar to:
  • Disseminate the study findings.
  • Engage policymakers, higher education institutions, and partners.
  • Facilitate regional dialogue and peer learning.
• Supporting the identification and design of potential follow-up interventions based on the research findings and recommendations.
• Developing possible interventions to strengthen:
  • Mentoring.
  • Networking.
  • Career development.
  • Access to opportunities for female researchers, doctoral candidates, and early-career researchers in STEM.
  • Possible digital and low-tech platforms and databases.
• Contributing to:
  • The development of concept notes and funding proposals for selected follow-up interventions.
  • The identification and engagement of potential donors.

3.3 Pillar 3 – Relevance and employability: Support to AI for EAC and AI-related work in other ROEA countries

The Consultant will provide technical and programmatic support to the Education Track of the East African Alliance for Digital Skills, AI Research and Innovation, also referred to as AI4EAC.

The Consultant will also support AI-related higher education initiatives in other countries covered by UNESCO ROEA that are not part of the East African Community.

Key tasks will include:

• Supporting the review and documentation of:
  • Outcomes from the AI4EAC Innovation Challenge.
  • Lessons learned.
  • Potential follow-up opportunities.
• Supporting the assessment and mapping of:
  • Emerging needs related to AI in higher education.
  • Country and regional priorities.
  • Capacity gaps across countries covered by UNESCO ROEA.
• Working closely with other sectors within UNESCO ROEA to ensure coordination and coherence in AI-related work.
• Contributing to the identification and development of:
  • Strategic programme directions.
  • Potential interventions concerning AI and higher education.
  • Initiatives based on regional needs, country priorities, UNESCO’s mandate and comparative advantage, and existing partnerships.
• Supporting:
  • The identification and mapping of potential donors and partners.
  • The development of concept notes.
  • The preparation of project proposals and other funding materials for selected AI and higher education initiatives.
• Supporting knowledge exchange and regional dialogue on AI in higher education, including the preparation and facilitation of assigned:
  • Consultations.
  • Workshops.
  • Webinars.
  • Technical meetings.

3.4 Pillar 3 – Relevance and employability: Social entrepreneurship skills for student innovators

Building on the achievements and lessons learned from the first phase of the social entrepreneurship training programme for student innovators in Eastern Africa, the Consultant will support UNESCO ROEA in advancing this area through two complementary approaches:

1. Providing follow-up support to participating student innovators to strengthen and further develop promising prototypes and solutions.
2. Exploring opportunities to expand the programme to countries within UNESCO ROEA’s geographical coverage that were not included in the first phase.

Key tasks will include:

• Supporting the documentation and dissemination of:
  • Promising student innovation projects.
  • Lessons learned.
  • Good practices emerging from the programme’s first phase.
• Supporting the assessment of opportunities to expand social entrepreneurship training and support to additional countries within UNESCO ROEA’s geographical coverage.
• Supporting the refinement and donor-specific adaptation of existing concept notes and project proposals for the follow-up and expansion of the social entrepreneurship programme.
• Supporting the identification and mapping of potential:
  • Donors.
  • Development partners.
  • Universities.
  • Private-sector actors.
  • Incubators.
  • Other stakeholders that could provide financial, technical, mentorship, or in-kind support for the programme’s continuation and expansion.

3.5 Transversal axis 1 – Quality assurance and recognition of qualifications

The Consultant will support activities designed to:

• Promote awareness and regional dialogue on the recognition of qualifications in Eastern Africa.
• Build capacity on the UNESCO Qualifications Passport (UQP).
• Strengthen institutional capacity for labour-market intelligence.

Key tasks will include:

• Mapping national focal institutions and authorities responsible for qualification recognition in Eastern Africa.
• Drafting a quality assurance structure for each country.
• Supporting the organisation of one regional consultation bringing together government officials and national authorities responsible for the recognition of qualifications in Eastern African countries.
• Facilitating dialogue between Eastern and Southern Africa to share experiences and good practices concerning:
  • Addis Ababa Convention ratification processes.
  • Qualification recognition.
  • Regional cooperation.
• Providing technical and strategic support to at least three countries to advance the ratification of:
  • The Addis Convention of 2014.
  • The Global Convention of 2019 on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education.
• Supporting the delivery of capacity-building activities to strengthen national competencies in:
  • UQP methodology.
  • Evaluation.
  • Recommendations for placement into learning institutions.
• Supporting the training of university management and qualification authorities in skills for generating real-time labour-market data and information.
• Supporting a shift from static data towards dynamic, responsive, and forward-looking education systems.

3.6 Programme coordination and management

The Consultant will provide implementation, coordination, and partnership support to Campus Africa in Eastern Africa.

This work will be carried out under the overall programme coordination of the responsible UNESCO ROEA Campus Africa programme staff and the strategic guidance of the Education Sector Head.

Key tasks will include:

• Drafting proposals, concept notes, briefing papers, and reports to support Campus Africa programme implementation.
• Supporting UNESCO ROEA’s participation in relevant regional:
  • Workshops.
  • Forums.
  • Technical meetings.
• Providing support for these engagements through:
  • Preparation of briefing materials.
  • Documentation of discussions.
  • Facilitation of assigned sessions.
  • Coordination of follow-up actions.
• Networking and developing partnerships with:
  • Universities.
  • Regional bodies.
  • Development partners.
  • Governments.
  • Private-sector organisations across Eastern Africa.
• Supporting partnership activities that result in:
  1. The development of at least three partnership arrangements, written expressions of interest, or draft memoranda of understanding.
  2. The creation of a functional multi-stakeholder collaboration platform.
  3. The co-design and implementation of joint programmes or initiatives.
  4. Increased resource mobilisation and knowledge exchange to support Campus Africa objectives.
• Supporting resource mobilisation for Campus Africa activities, including:
  • Identifying funding opportunities.
  • Contributing to the development of funding proposals.

Contract duration

The consultancy will run for six months.

Deliverables and indicative deadlines

Deliverable 1 – September 2026

Workplan reference: Pillar 1 – Applied STEM Research
One publication-ready consolidated report on “Empowering Women in Applied STEM” across selected Anglophone Eastern African countries.

Deliverable 2 – September 2026

Workplan reference: Pillar 1 – Publication of Pilot Research

One publication-ready consolidated “Empowering Women in Applied STEM” report for the pilot-phase countries.

Deliverable 3 – October 2026

Workplan reference: Pillar 1 – Applied STEM Research

The Consultant will deliver:

• D3.1: A donor mapping and at least three two-page resource mobilisation briefs, each tailored to the priorities and requirements of an identified potential donor.
• D3.2: Coordination and documentation of two regional webinars, including participant records, key outcomes, and agreed follow-up actions.
• D3.3: At least one concept note or funding proposal for a selected follow-up intervention based on the study findings and donor analysis.

Deliverable 4 – November 2026

Workplan reference: Pillar 3 – AI for EAC Education Track

The Consultant will deliver:

• D4.1: A validated regional AI and higher education needs and priorities assessment.
• D4.2: A donor and partner mapping on AI in higher education.
• D4.3: Refinement of the existing AI integration in higher education proposal.
• D4.4: At least three donor-tailored funding packages, each consisting of a two-page proposal.

Deliverable 5 – December 2026

Workplan reference: Pillar 3 – Social Entrepreneurship
The Consultant will deliver:

• D5.1: A portfolio and follow-up support plan for selected high-potential student innovations emerging from the programme’s first phase.
• D5.2: A mapping of potential donors and implementation partners for social entrepreneurship education.
• D5.3: Refinement of the existing project proposal for the programme’s continuation and/or expansion, adapting the proposals to the requirements of at least three potential donors and the needs of partners.

Deliverable 6 – January 2027

Workplan reference: Transversal Axis 1 – Quality Assurance and Recognition
The Consultant will deliver:

• D6.1: A regional qualification recognition consultation report.
• D6.2: Country support notes or action plans for at least three countries advancing the ratification process.
• D6.3: A report on national focal institutions and existing quality assurance and qualification recognition structures.
• D6.4: Delivery and documentation of UQP capacity-building and a labour-market intelligence training report.

Deliverable 7 – February 2027

Workplan reference: Programme Coordination

A final programme coordination report covering all Campus Africa activities undertaken during the consultancy period, including:

• Proposal drafts.
• Networking outcomes.
• Workshop participation reports.
• Resource mobilisation updates.
• Mission reports.

Note: All deliverables must be submitted in English and in formats approved by UNESCO ROEA.

Competencies

UNESCO core competencies

• Communication
• Accountability
• Innovation
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
• Planning and organising
• Results focus
• Teamwork

For detailed information, consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Instruction: Relevant managerial competencies must be included for P-4 grade posts and above.

Required qualifications

Education

• An advanced university degree at the Master’s level or equivalent in:
  • Education.
  • Social Sciences.
  • Development Studies.
  • Gender Studies.
  • Public Policy.
  • A related field.

Work experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education programme coordination, research management, policy analysis, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Coordinating research projects.
  • Managing multi-country or multi-partner programmes.
  • Producing policy-relevant knowledge products.
• Experience working on gender equality in higher education and/or STEM is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the higher education landscape in Eastern Africa, including knowledge of:
  • The East African Community.
  • The African Union.
  • The Intergovernmental Authority on Development.
  • The Addis Ababa Convention.
  • The EAC AI Strategy.
• Experience with AI integration in education or digital skills development is an asset.
• Previous experience working with UNESCO, another United Nations agency, or an international development organisation is an asset.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to produce high-quality reports, briefs, and proposals for diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and produce evidence-based recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Manage multiple workstreams.
  • Meet deadlines.
  • Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder-engagement skills, including experience working with:
  • Governments.
  • Universities.
  • Civil society.
  • Development partners.
• Proficiency in standard office software.
• Experience with knowledge-management platforms or databases is an advantage.
• Knowledge of French is an asset because of the multilingual nature of the Eastern African region.

Languages

• Knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of French is an added advantage.

Application process

All candidates must complete an online application through the designated portal and provide complete and accurate information.

Candidates must also email the following documents to [email protected] by 3 September 2026.

The email subject line must be:

Campus Africa Consultant
Required documents include:

• A current curriculum vitae or résumé clearly detailing relevant qualifications and experience.
• A cover letter of no more than two pages explaining:
  • The candidate’s suitability for the assignment.
  • How the candidate’s experience addresses the specific areas of work outlined under the main tasks and services.
• A description of the approach the candidate would adopt to undertake the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO.
• Contact details for two professional referees.
• A writing sample relevant to the assignment’s scope, such as:
  • A policy brief.
  • A research report.
  • A similar knowledge product.
• The overall cost of the assignment, expressed as a lump sum in US dollars.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UNESCO is an equal-opportunity employer. Applications from women and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Selection and recruitment process

All candidates must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information by the stated deadline.

To apply, visit the UNESCO Careers website.

Applicants should note that:

• No modifications can be made to an application after it has been submitted.
• The selection process may include pre-recorded video interviews.
• Candidates may be required to complete written assessments.
• Interviews may be conducted by a panel.
• Reference checks may be undertaken.
• Candidates may be asked to provide additional information relevant to the position’s qualifications.
• All candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.
• Shortlisted candidates may be added to UNESCO Talent Pools, subject to their consent under the applicable Data Privacy Statement.

Additional information

• UNESCO recalls that the paramount consideration in appointing personnel is 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 and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities, are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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