Senior Higher Education Specialist

Lebanon’s education sector is undergoing a critical reform process under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), guided by Vision 2030 and the Seven Pillars for Educational Renewal. The sector continues to face significant challenges due to economic crisis, institutional constraints, and repeated disruptions affecting all sub-sectors, including Higher Education (HE).

Lebanon is currently implementing its first Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Capacity Grant (SCG), which aims to strengthen national systems for inclusive resource mobilization, coordination, evidence-based planning, and data-driven decision-making. A key component of the SCG is the development of a government-led Education Sector Analysis (ESA) and a costed, gender-responsive Education Sector Plan (ESP), covering all sub-sectors.

The ESA and ESP processes are led by MEHE, with technical support from UNESCO and the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP), and are designed to strengthen system-wide reform and institutional capacity through a participatory and government-owned approach.

The objective of this assignment is to provide high-level technical and strategic support to support recource mobilization through ensuring the comprehensive integration of the Higher Education sector within the ESA and ESP processes, while reinforcing MEHE leadership and ownership.

• Ensure strong and structured inclusion of Higher Education within ESA and ESP
• Align Higher Education priorities with Vision 2030 and national strategies
• Support MEHE leadership and ownership throughout the process
• Ensure coordination between MEHE, UNESCO, IIEP, and stakeholders

The following is expected to support both resource mobilization as well as strategic development within the education sector in Lebanon: 

Technical Leadership on Higher Education within ESA
- Support the development of the Higher Education analysis within ESA
- Ensure coverage of access, quality, governance, and financing alignment
- Support data integration and analytical rigor
- Ensure ESA findings inform sector-wide reform MEHE priorities

Strategic Contribution to ESP Development
- Support the development of Higher Education components within the ESP
- Support definition of strategic priorities and reform directions
- Ensure integration into results frameworks and financial models
- Align HE priorities with national reform agenda

Strengthening MEHE Leadership and Ownership
- Ensure UNESCO supports MEHE to lead and validates all HE-related outputs
- Provide hands-on technical support to MEHE higher education directorate
- Facilitate capacity building through learning-by-doing
- Support UNESCO in providing technical support to MEHE on consultations and validation processes

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
- Coordinate between MEHE, UNESCO, IIEP, and stakeholders
- Engage universities and Higher Education institutions in both the ESA and ESP
- Support Technical Working Groups and consultation processes related to the higher education component of the ESA and ESP

Integration of Cross-Cutting Priorities
- Ensure integration of gender, inclusion, and equity
- Embed crisis-sensitive and resilience approaches
- Promote digital transformation and innovation
- Ensure alignment with governance and data systems

The duration of the assignment will be from June 1 2026 to 31 December 2026. The assignment will align with resruorce mobiolization efforts for the education sector in Lebanon as well as with key ESA and ESP milestones under the GPE System Capacity Grant.

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework [link removed].

• Advanced degree in Higher Education, Education Policy, or related field
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education policy, sector planning, education reform, or institutional development.
• Demonstrated expertise in Education Sector Analysis (ESA), Education Sector Planning (ESP), and sector-wide planning frameworks, preferably within crisis-affected or reform-oriented contexts.
• Strong experience in higher education planning, governance, financing, policy development, and institutional strengthening.
• Proven experience working with government institutions, ministries of education, and international organizations on national education reform and planning processes.
• Previous experience supporting education sector planning processes in Lebanon and/or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is highly desirable

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English; Arabic or French is an asset

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website [link removed]. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.