Consultancy for Digital Education and Innovation – 10.5 months (Nationals only)

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, Care.

How can you make a difference? 

Objective:

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the advancement of equitable, inclusive, and technology-enabled learning systems through the design, implementation, and scaling of digital education initiatives that strengthen access, capacity, and innovation across the education ecosystem.

Specifically, the consultancy aims to:

1. Expand digital learning access

• Facilitate the adoption and effective use of digital learning platforms—such as the Learning Passport—and ensure alignment with national education priorities and localized needs.

Reinforce education system capacity through digital transformation

• Design and implement professional development initiatives that build educators’ and leaders’ competencies in digital pedagogy, instructional design, and change management.
• Support system-level integration of digital solutions for data management, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.

Foster innovation and responsible technology adoption in education

• Lead the piloting, evaluation, and documentation of emerging technologies—including AI and other innovative EdTech solutions—to enhance learning outcomes and promote child safety and digital well-being.
• Contribute to research, knowledge generation, and communities of practice to support innovation, share lessons learned, and inform future strategy and policy directions.
• Advise UNICEF and Ministry of Youth and Sport and other stakeholders on the development of the Shabab Balad Academy online.

Strengthen partnerships, networks, and sustainability mechanisms

• Facilitate cross-sector collaboration between stakeholders including government entities, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector to advance technology-enabled learning.
• Promote strategic advocacy and policy dialogue to ensure sustainability, scalability, and systemic adoption of digital learning innovations.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES, PLUS BUDGET PER DELIVERABLE:

 

DELIVERABLES	ESTIMATED DURATION	PAYMENT in EGP
Deliverable Area 1: Digital intervention support Objective: A high-quality, fully supported Learning Passport ecosystem with troubleshooting and delivery support for other digital solutions. 1.1 By December 2026, introduce at least 30,000 new learners and 1,000 educators onto the Learning Passport achieving at least a 70% monthly active-user rate as measured by platform analytics. 1.2 Ensure appropriate upkeep on Learning Passport software and hardware: ensure timely monthly payment of AWS hosting, annual SSL updates, quarterly content sync, monthly quantitative reporting, quarterly updates of design features, smooth implementation of phone authentication, and bi-annual status update of the offline LP device. 1.3 Conduct 2-5 monthly visits of the Learning Passport, Akelius, Learning Pioneers, and other digital solutions, covering system performance, usability, accessibility, and user feedback.   Deliverables 3 × Learning Passport status reports (quarterly), covering platform analytics and participation; AWS hosting and SSL status; content synchronization; quantitative reporting; design updates; phone authentication; and offline Learning Passport device status. 10 × field monitoring visit reports (monthly), documenting on-site implementation of digital learning interventions, including observations on device availability and use, educator and learner engagement, implementation challenges, and practical recommendations for improvement. 1 × consolidated end-of-contract summary note, synthesizing key findings, recurring issues, actions taken, and recommendations. This note is to include all deliverable areas and serve as a detailed handover document at end of contract period.	60 days	27%
Deliverable Area 2: Digital Education System Strengthening  Objective: Strengthened education system capacity through targeted digital pedagogy training and integrated digital solutions. 2.1 By the end of the contract period, one comprehensive digital pedagogy package (digital and offline) is developed and validated, addressing digital pedagogy, instructional design, and change management, and deemed fit for use by MoETE. 2.2 Effective system-level coordination is demonstrated through at least four documented coordination meetings with MoETE contributing to shared priorities, alignment on digital learning initiatives, and agreed next steps. 2.3 Global digital learning strategy initiatives are contextualized for Egypt through the delivery of one strategic alignment document, demonstrating clear linkage between global priorities and local MoETE implementation pathways. Deliverables: 1 × comprehensive digital pedagogy package, developed as a cohesive set of materials covering digital pedagogy, instructional design, with both digital and offline versions. This includes technical input and coordination support to the contracted implementing company, with monitoring of progress against agreed technical milestones and deliverables. Participation in 4 × coordination meetings with MoETE to support alignment on digital learning priorities, system-level needs, and implementation approaches. 1 × strategic alignment document, supporting the operationalization of global digital learning strategy initiatives in alignment with MoETE priorities.	80 days	36%
Deliverable Area 3: Innovation and Technology  Objective: Enhanced education system capacity through innovation, professional development, and forward-looking use of digital technologies. 3.1 Emerging and innovative technologies with potential to improve learning outcomes and system effectiveness are systematically mapped and analyzed, with implications for UNICEF programming clearly articulated. 3.2 UNICEF’s role as a convener and knowledge hub in digital learning and innovation is strengthened through facilitated roundtables that promote collaboration and forward-looking dialogue. 3.3 Implications of artificial intelligence and educational technology on child safety, data privacy, and well-being are explored and communicated through evidence-informed knowledge products. 3.4 UNICEF’s role in shaping forward-looking digital youth and education platforms is strengthened through strategic advisory support to Shabab Balad Academy (SBA) Online, positioning it as a scalable, safe, and purpose-driven digital learning and engagement platform, while advancing opportunities for innovation through the development of a joint innovation hub concept. Deliverables 1 × emerging technologies mapping report, identifying priority technologies relevant to education, their potential impact on learning outcomes and system effectiveness, and key considerations for adoption. This is an internal document. 3 × conferences, roundtables, or collaborative forums, facilitated to support dialogue and knowledge exchange on innovation and digital learning, with brief documentation of objectives, participants, and key outcomes. 4 × advisory brief on Shabab Balad Academy (SBA) Online, providing strategic and technical advice to UNICEF, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), and other relevant stakeholders on the development and positioning of the SBA online platform. This advisory briefs are built on consistent support to the construction of SBA Academy. 3 × external facing knowledge products (report, blog, or newsletter article) examining the implications of artificial intelligence and educational technology on child safety, privacy, and well-being. 1 × concept note for a joint innovation hub, developed following consultation with relevant internal and external stakeholders.	50 days	23%
Deliverable Area 4: Strategic growth of digital education portfolio  Objective: Foster strategic collaborations and multi-stakeholder engagement to scale and sustain technology-enabled education efforts. 4.1 Strategic partnerships across government institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector actors, technology providers, or academic institutions are established and strengthened to support effective implementation and long-term sustainability of EdTech initiatives, resulting in 2–5 new meaningful partnerships.   Deliverables 6 × partnership engagements, such as support in development of a proposal for a new partner or strengthening role of existing partner. This also includes other mechanisms to engage with and build 2 new partnerships.	30 days	14%
Total	220	100%

Conditions of work:

This position is an office-based position. The consultant will be allowed to work remotely and in the field as needed. UNICEF will cover travel expenses. The consultant will submit invoices once every two months for payment depending on completed tasks.

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

 -Advanced university degree in Education, Educational Technology, or Digital Learning with a demonstrated focus on technology integration, innovation in education, and system transformation.

 -Additional certifications and executive training in AI in Education, Learning Design, and Digital Transformation are considered an asset.

 -Over 15 years of progressive experience in digital learning, instructional technology, and education system strengthening, with a strong track record in national and international programs.

 -Digital Learning Strategy: Skilled in designing and operationalizing digital education strategies that bridge access, equity, and innovation.

-Innovation Leadership: Proficient in identifying, testing, and scaling EdTech innovations that enhance teaching, learning, and system resilience.

-Capacity Development: Strong facilitator and trainer, with expertise in designing Training of Trainers (TOT) programs, digital pedagogy toolkits, and blended learning solutions.

-Communication and Representation: Excellent communication and presentation skills; experienced in engaging with senior government officials, UN leadership, and high-level partners.

-Languages: Fluency in Arabic and English

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.