STEM Consultant-Education Sector (RE-ADVERTISED)

UNESCO supports Member States to develop gender-transformative education systems and empower girls and women, in line with the overall actions of UNESCO in the field of gender equality, including "the UNESCO Strategy on Gender Equality in and through Education 2019-2025". In line with UNESCO's Global 2022-2029 Medium Term Strategy, the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia is implementing the 2025-2029 UNESCO South Asia Regional Support Strategy. The South Asia Regional Support Strategy aims to advance gender equality by enhancing girls' participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education that leads to employment opportunities. UNESCO has found that girls and women are held back by biases, social norms and expectations that influence the quality of the education they receive and the subjects they study. They are particularly under-represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education - women make up only 35% of STEM graduates, figure unchanged in ten years - and consequently, in STEM careers. This gender disparity is alarming, especially as STEM careers are often in industries that drive innovation, support social wellbeing, and contribute to inclusive growth and sustainable development. Recent data from the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) show a rise in female enrollment in higher education to about 48% of total enrollment, while female enrollment in STEM courses in higher education has increased from 38.4% in 2014-15 to 42.6% in 2021-22. However, this increased participation in education has not translated into gender equality in the STEM workforce. Women occupy only 14% of STEM jobs and hold just 13.5% of faculty positions in universities and research institutes (AISHE 2021-22). The UNESCO 'Jaago: Empowering Women in STEM' initiative seeks to address this gap in the school-to-work transition through research, advocacy and gender-responsive training to address the factors that affect the choices of girls and women in India, particularly those from underprivileged groups. The overall aim is to increase the inclusive participation of women (already enrolled in STEM courses in tertiary education) aged 18–25 and girls aged 12–17 in STEM careers. The target beneficiaries are women in Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural areas, particularly those from underprivileged communities and those with disabilities. UNESCO is seeking a national consultant in India to coordinate STEM research activities, communications on STEM, and to develop an inclusive STEM toolkit for educational institutions and workplaces to promote women participation and retention in STEM careers. The national consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Education), overall supervision of the Chief of Education, and with the implementing partner organization(s) and government officials to ensure the successful implementation of the activities.

UNESCO supports Member States to develop gender-transformative education systems and empower girls and women