National Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Consultant

1. Background

In Uzbekistan, UNESCO is currently implementing three key projects in education sector:

EU-funded Project: Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan

This project aims to enhance youth employability in rural regions and strengthen the National Qualifications System through quality assurance interventions. The focus is on modernizing TVET governance and building institutional capacity, including capacity development, and collaboration with international regulators.

Ishonch funded project: Empowering Education in Uzbekistan – Leveraging ICT and Digital Learning for High-Quality and Inclusive Education Results

This project addresses challenges related to the digital divide and the quality of education. It supports the development of a national teacher education policy, ICT competency framework for teachers, and digital training modules. It also establishes Model Centers for Pedagogical Excellence to enhance teacher training, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, gender-sensitivity, and accessibility.

Joint ISDB/ISFD/GPE funded Project: SMART-ED – Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Education Services in Uzbekistan

Implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE), this project strengthens Uzbekistan’s education system for sustainable, inclusive, competency-based education (CBE). Its two main components focus on pre-service teacher education reform and in-service teacher education reform, aiming to improve learning environments and student outcomes nationwide.

Across these initiatives, robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems are critical to ensure effective implementation, accountability, learning, and alignment with UNESCO Results-Based Management (RBM) principles and donor requirements.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The M&E Consultant will be responsible for:

• Designing, implementing, and maintaining M&E systems for the three projects.
• Ensuring compliance with UNESCO’s RBM framework and donor reporting requirements.
• Providing evidence-based analysis and recommendations for improved project delivery.
• Supporting results communication through high-quality reporting, lessons learned, and success stories.

3. Scope of Work / Tasks

The Consultant will carry out the following tasks:

• Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support the development and implementation of project-specific M&E frameworks, indicators, and tools.
• Collect, verify, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to track progress against project indicators and results.
• Conduct field monitoring visits and prepare findings with proposed corrective actions.
• Ensure all M&E activities comply with RBM standards and donor requirements.

• Reporting

• Contribute to drafting of high-quality progress reports (quarterly, annual, ad hoc) for donors, partners, and UNESCO.
• Consolidate inputs from partners, field offices, and technical teams.
• Prepare briefing notes, talking points, and presentations for senior management.
• Document good practices, success stories, and lessons learned.

• Coordination

• Facilitate regular coordination with government counterparts, implementing partners, and UN agencies.
• Participate in technical working groups, partner meetings, and education sector coordination forums.
• Ensure smooth flow of information among stakeholders.

Long Description

4. Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:

M&E Frameworks & Tools

• Project-specific M&E plans with indicators, baselines, and targets.
• Data collection tools and reporting templates.
• Monitoring Reports
• Field monitoring reports with analysis and recommendations (at least quarterly).
• Consolidated findings shared with project teams and stakeholders.
• Progress Reports
• Contributions to quarterly, annual, and final project reports (EU, ISDB/ISFD/GPE, and Ishonch).
• Consolidated data inputs and analysis for donor submissions.
• Knowledge & Communication Products
• At least 3 success stories or case studies highlighting project impact.
• Documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Presentations and briefing materials for senior management and donor meetings.

Coordination Outputs

• Minutes and follow-up notes from technical working groups and coordination meetings.
• Evidence of effective partner engagement and information-sharing.

5. Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant will work under the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Tashkent Office and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer. Daily coordination will be maintained with the respective Project Officers.

Long Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in education, social sciences, development studies, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in M&E of education or development projects.
• Strong knowledge of RBM, logical frameworks, and donor reporting requirements (EU, GPE, etc.).
• Proven experience in data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Excellent coordination and communication skills with government and partners.
• Fluency in English, Uzbek and Russian.

Long Description

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience with UNESCO or other UN agencies.
• Familiarity with TVET, teacher education, and ICT in education programming.
• Experience in Central Asia or similar contexts.