Consultant - Community Manager on Disability-Inclusive Education

Organizational Context

The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP-UNESCO) is a specialized UN agency with over 50 years of experience supporting education policy, planning, and management. IIEP-UNESCO actively works with Member States to foster more inclusive education systems, addressing issues of gender, crises, and climate change. Through a program funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), IIEP-UNESCO in Africa is enhancing its support for inclusive education for children and youth with disabilities in West Africa.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support the continued development and implementation of a regional Community of Practice (CoP) focused on Disability-Inclusive Education Sector Planning (CoP-DIESP). Launched in February 2026, the CoP-DIESP serves as a global platform for education planners, practitioners, disability organizations, civil society, experts, researchers, and donors to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in promoting disability inclusion in education planning. The consultant will foster networking, exchange, and peer learning among education planners, contributing to capacity strengthening, technical assistance, and applied research initiatives within IIEP-UNESCO in Africa.

Responsibilities

The Consultant Community Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the CoP-DIESP, including participant recruitment and onboarding, and the design and implementation of activities. Key responsibilities include animating the community by encouraging participation and managing online spaces, content moderation, and systematizing shared information. The role involves sourcing and curating relevant resources, organizing events, and contributing to the CoP's strategic planning and virtual platform enhancement. The consultant will support thematic sequences, foster a collaborative community spirit, and identify engaged members for leadership roles. Additionally, they will focus on growing the CoP's membership, liaising with partners, and integrating new members. The consultant will also contribute to monitoring and evaluation efforts, analyze forum discussions to identify collaboration opportunities and support needs, and produce briefs on forum insights for peer learning and South-South exchange.

Work Experience

Requires at least three years of professional experience in disability-inclusive education. Additionally, at least one year of experience working with ministries of education and development partners in low- and middle-income countries is necessary. Proven experience utilizing communication and presentation skills with multi-national audiences is also essential.

Skills

Essential skills include excellent written and verbal communication, strong interpersonal and relationship management abilities, and proven community facilitation and discussion moderation skills. Proficiency in writing, content creation, and storytelling for engagement is required. The ability to analyze data, measure community impact, work independently, manage multiple tasks, and utilize innovative formats while adhering to brand guidelines is also crucial.

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