Campus Africa Consultant
Organizational Context
UNESCO's Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) in Nairobi implements the Campus Africa Programme, a continental initiative to transform higher education for inclusive development, innovation, and regional integration. The programme focuses on research capacity, relevance to employers, quality assurance, and institutional governance. For the 2026-2027 biennium, ROEA prioritizes activities in gender-responsive STEM research, AI integration in higher education, social entrepreneurship, and recognition of qualifications.
Job Purpose
The Campus Africa Consultant will provide essential technical and programmatic support to UNESCO ROEA for the implementation of the 2026-2027 Campus Africa workplan in Eastern Africa. This role involves supporting key initiatives across five distinct areas: finalizing the "Empowering Women in Applied STEM" research project, publishing its pilot phase, providing support to the East African Alliance for Digital Skills and AI Research (AI4EAC), strengthening social entrepreneurship skills for student innovators, and promoting regional dialogue on qualification recognition. The consultant will also contribute to programme coordination, including drafting proposals and participating in workshops, working collaboratively within the UNESCO ROEA Campus Africa team under the direct supervision of the Education Sector Head.
Responsibilities
The consultant will finalize the "Empowering Women in Applied STEM" research project in selected Anglophone Eastern African countries, producing resource mobilization briefs and a synthesis report, and coordinating a knowledge-sharing webinar. They will also support the publication of the pilot phase of this research, including coordination of reviews and dissemination activities. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical and programmatic support to the AI4EAC initiative and other AI-related higher education activities in the region, assessing needs, developing strategic directions, and supporting funding proposals. The role includes advancing social entrepreneurship skills for student innovators by documenting projects, assessing expansion opportunities, and refining proposals. Furthermore, the consultant will support activities related to qualification recognition, including mapping institutions, organizing regional consultations, facilitating dialogue, and providing technical support for convention ratification and capacity building on the UNESCO Qualification Passport. Programme coordination, including drafting proposals and reports, and supporting participation in regional forums, is also a key responsibility.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in higher education program coordination, research management, or policy analysis is necessary. Demonstrated experience in managing multi-country research projects and producing policy-relevant knowledge products is essential. Experience in gender equality in higher education or STEM, familiarity with the Eastern African higher education landscape, and prior work with international organizations are highly desirable.
Skills
Required skills include excellent written and verbal communication in English, strong analytical and research capabilities, and the ability to synthesize complex information. Demonstrated project management skills, stakeholder engagement abilities, and proficiency in standard office software are essential. Knowledge of French is an asset.