Consultant·e senior - Financement de l'éducation et renforcement de la chaîne PPBSE

Organizational Context

The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) is UNESCO's specialized agency for education policy, planning, and management. Established in 1963, IIEP supports education ministries globally through capacity building in training, technical assistance, research, and knowledge sharing. The institute operates with offices in Paris, Dakar, and Buenos Aires, relying on donor contributions and project funding to achieve its objectives. IIEP recently launched its medium-term strategy for 2026-2029.

Job Purpose

The IIEP's Education Financing Programme is expanding its support for public financial management (PFM) reforms in education. The core aim is to strengthen results-based management (RBM) and operationalize program-based budgeting along the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPBSE) chain. This involves a co-construction approach, training of trainers, learning-by-doing, and institutionalization within national structures. The consultancy will support two country engagements, one in Burundi focusing on program budgeting reform and PPBSE strengthening within the PAQABU project, and another in Guinea supporting capacity building for the GPE System Capacity Grant (SCG) as part of the ProDEG program. The consultant will work closely with IIEP multidisciplinary teams and national stakeholders.

Responsibilities

The Senior Consultant will be responsible for supporting IIEP-UNESCO teams in implementing the PPBSE chain strengthening and education financing program in their assigned country. This includes contributing to diagnostics of PPBSE and PFM systems, formulating reform roadmaps, and supporting the design and harmonization of PPBSE instruments. The role involves improving resource allocation methodologies for efficiency, equity, and gender responsiveness, and strengthening data production, quality, analysis, and utilization, including through management dashboards. A key responsibility is supporting the systematic integration of gender into PPBSE processes. The consultant will also design and facilitate training and technical support activities, such as training of trainers and coaching, and document best practices for institutionalization. Specific tasks include supporting in-depth diagnostics, developing gender-sensitive analysis tools, strengthening capacity in gender-sensitive planning, elaborating operational sector strategies, designing comprehensive PPBSE tools, and facilitating modular training programs. The consultant will also support decentralized deployment, change management strategies, and knowledge management.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in education planning and financing in low- or middle-income countries is essential. Proven expertise in public financial management (PFM) applied to education, the PPBSE chain, and program-based budgeting is required. Solid experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and education management information systems (EMIS), including data production, quality, analysis, and utilization, is also necessary.

Skills

Key skills include a strong understanding of development cooperation and financing instruments, particularly GPE mechanisms and World Bank/IMF frameworks. Excellent quantitative and qualitative analytical, writing, and synthesis skills are crucial. The ability to design and facilitate participatory processes and training sessions for diverse stakeholders is important. Methodological rigor, autonomy, adherence to deadlines, and sensitivity to equity, inclusion, and gender issues are expected. Proficiency in standard office software is required, with familiarity in data analysis software being an asset. Fluency in French is essential, with English being desirable.

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