UNESCO STEM Education Project Consultant Job in Solomon Islands – Apply by April 2026

Are you passionate about shaping the future of STEM education in the Solomon Islands? UNESCO is seeking a dedicated STEM Education Project Consultant to contribute to an innovative project aimed at enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across small island developing states (SIDS) and other countries. This role offers a unique chance to directly impact curriculum development, teacher capacity, and student learning experiences in the Solomon Islands.

About the Role

Position: STEM Education Project Consultant
Type of Contract: Consultant Contract (Level 2)
Duty Station: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Duration: 5 Months
Application Deadline: 03 April 2026 (Midnight UTC+11 Time)
Hiring Open To: Nationals of Solomon Islands only

This consultancy position falls under UNESCO’s Education Unit, with the selected consultant working closely with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and relevant national authorities. The consultant will also collaborate with an International Consultant guiding curriculum work across all four project countries: Mali, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Uganda.

The role offers a rare opportunity to contribute to a gender-transformative, competency-based STEM education project that emphasizes practical learning through specialized labs and student-centered approaches.

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Project Overview

The “Fostering STEM Education in Africa and SIDS” project aims to enhance Science and Mathematics teaching in Mali, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Uganda. The project seeks to:

• Develop quality, relevant, and gender-transformative STEM curricula that complement existing curricula.
• Strengthen teaching resources, learning infrastructure, and inclusive education practices.
• Introduce innovative, learner-centered approaches, including the use of STEM labs or hubs for hands-on experimentation.
• Ensure students acquire practical competencies to become active contributors to society and the economy.

In the Solomon Islands, MEHRD has highlighted STEM education as a national priority aligned with the Education Strategic Framework (ESF) 2016–2030, emphasizing equity, inclusion, and gender equality. The framework also calls for completion of ongoing educational reforms, including curriculum implementation, teacher training, and resource provision.

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Key Responsibilities

As a National Consultant, your primary objective will be to provide technical guidance and capacity support to MEHRD and national stakeholders in STEM education. This includes:

1. Conducting STEM Skills Needs Analysis

The consultant will lead the National STEM Skills Needs Analysis to inform curriculum development. Responsibilities include:

• Organizing consultations and surveys with post-school and secondary schools, TVET institutions, and STEM-related industries.
• Collecting and disaggregating data by gender, age, and location to identify gaps in STEM skills.
• Facilitating validation workshops to ensure findings are culturally relevant and comprehensive.
• Drafting technical reports and recommendations to guide curriculum enhancement.

2. Supporting Curriculum Design

The consultant will provide technical expertise to enrich Science and Mathematics curricula and develop new STEM programmes:

• Organize and plan curriculum workshops with national curriculum officers, training institutions, and industry stakeholders.
• Review existing curricula to identify gaps and align content with STEM Skills Needs Analysis findings.
• Co-design or update learning units to ensure gender-transformative, competency-based STEM curricula.
• Facilitate follow-up workshops to finalize curricula, integrating recommendations from national authorities.

3. Developing STEM Labs and Hubs

The project emphasizes practical, hands-on learning in STEM labs or hubs:

• Assess existing lab facilities and recommend improvements.
• Draft contextualized guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for lab utilization.
• Ensure integration of STEM labs/hubs into curricula for effective delivery of STEM programmes.
• Focus on low-cost, flexible solutions using local resources while maintaining international quality standards.

4. Collaboration and Reporting

The National Consultant will:

• Work closely with the International Consultant to ensure alignment with international best practices.
• Facilitate technical working groups of teachers, trainers, and curriculum developers.
• Ensure that all deliverables are submitted to UNESCO on time and revised according to feedback.

Deliverables & Timeline

The consultancy includes six key deliverables with corresponding deadlines:

1. STEM Skills Needs Analysis Report: 8 May 2026
2. Assessment of STEM labs/hubs: 29 May 2026
3. Curricula development workshops preparation and delivery: 19 June 2026
4. Guidelines and SOPs for STEM labs/hubs: 3 July 2026
5. Final curricula with all inputs: 24 July 2026
6. Roadmap for piloting STEM labs/hubs: 7 August 2026

Payment will be made in three instalments:

• 30% upon submission of deliverables 1 and 2
• 35% upon submission of deliverables 3 and 4
• 35% upon submission of deliverables 5 and 6

Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree in Education, International Development, STEM, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years in STEM education, curriculum development, teacher education, or project management.
• Proven experience in STEM curriculum enhancement in developing countries or SIDS.
• Expertise in gender-transformative approaches in STEM education.
• Experience in designing STEM labs, makerspaces, or hands-on learning environments, including technology integration and safety considerations.
• Experience providing technical guidance to governments, curriculum institutions, or national expert teams.
• Familiarity with UNESCO education standards and international frameworks.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication and teamwork abilities
• Results-oriented with excellent planning and organizational skills
• Innovation and knowledge-sharing mindset
• Accountability and focus on professional integrity

Why This Role Matters

This consultancy is an opportunity for education professionals to:

1. Directly influence the quality and relevance of STEM education in the Solomon Islands.
2. Implement innovative, learner-centered teaching approaches using STEM labs/hubs.
3. Promote gender equality and inclusion in STEM learning.
4. Collaborate with national and international experts in curriculum development.
5. Contribute to the national education agenda aligned with the Education Strategic Framework 2016–2030.

The project’s impact will reach beyond individual classrooms, enhancing national capacity and preparing students with the skills to thrive in a technology-driven economy.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted online via the UNESCO Careers website. Candidates must provide complete and accurate information by the deadline.

The selection process may include:

• Pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments
• Panel interviews and reference checks
• Additional requests for supporting documents as needed

Shortlisted candidates may also join UNESCO Talent Pools, with consent.

Additional Information

UNESCO is committed to:

• Highest standards of efficiency, technical competence, and integrity.
• Zero-tolerance policy for harassment.
• Encouraging applications from minority groups, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.
• Maintaining confidentiality of all applications.
• Observing a statutory retirement age of 65.
• No fees charged at any stage of the recruitment process.

This is a unique opportunity for professionals eager to contribute to transformative STEM education in the Solomon Islands. If you have the qualifications, experience, and passion for empowering students through STEM, this role allows you to make a tangible impact on national education development.

Apply today and be part of UNESCO’s mission to foster innovation, inclusion, and excellence in STEM education.