Inclusive Assessment Consultant
Organizational Context
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. 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.
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Education Specialist (Formal Education), the consultant will support the strengthening of the inclusiveness and accessibility of early grade learning assessments. The primary goal is to ensure that children with disabilities and children from diverse language backgrounds can participate meaningfully in assessments and accurately demonstrate their learning. This involves reviewing existing assessment frameworks and tools, identifying barriers to participation for vulnerable groups, and developing actionable recommendations for improvement. The consultant will also focus on strengthening guidance for assessment accommodations and adaptations, supporting the development of linguistically responsive assessment approaches, and building the capacity of stakeholders in inclusive assessment design and implementation.
Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for reviewing existing early grade assessment frameworks, tools, and processes through an inclusion and equity lens. This includes identifying specific barriers that may limit the participation or performance of children with disabilities and multilingual learners. Based on this review, the consultant will develop concrete recommendations to enhance the accessibility, fairness, and validity of assessments. A key responsibility will be to strengthen guidance on assessment accommodations and adaptations to better support diverse learners. The consultant will also support the development of linguistically responsive assessment approaches, ensuring that language does not hinder a child's ability to demonstrate their knowledge. Furthermore, the consultant will be tasked with building the capacity of stakeholders, including educators and assessment developers, on inclusive assessment design and effective implementation strategies.
Work Experience
Minimum 15 years of experience in education sector programming, with a focus on assessments and inclusive education. Demonstrated expertise in learning assessment, foundational learning, and experience developing or adapting diagnostic assessments. Experience in multilingual education, disability-inclusive education, and learning acceleration is required.
Skills
Foundational literacy and numeracy assessment, Competency-based curricula and learning progressions, Assessment and learning systems strengthening, Inclusive Education policies and standards, Accommodations for children with disabilities, Analytical and report-writing skills, Facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills