Educational Planner – Class Formation & Automation

The consultant will support the preparation of the 2026/2027 class formation cycle, conduct a technical assessment of the automation progress achieved to date, and produce a roadmap for completing and institutionalising the automated class formation process under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Education Programme.

Responsibilities

• Review existing class formation methodologies, norms, standards, and planning parameters applied across the five Fields.
• Consult with relevant HQ and Field education planning staff to consolidate and review lessons learned from the 2025/2026 class formation cycle.
• Analyse enrolment projections, staffing ratios, space utilisation data, and applicable policy assumptions.
• Produce the first draft of the 2026/2027 Class Formation Guidelines/Framework, including planning assumptions, draft class section tables, and staffing projections.
• Review existing automation tools, algorithms, databases, and workflows currently used in the class formation process.
• Assess the degree of automation achieved to date across the class formation lifecycle including data input, calculation, validation, output generation, and dissemination.
• Identify remaining manual processes, bottlenecks, data quality risks, and governance gaps.
• Evaluate technical and operational requirements for scaling and sustaining a fully automated class formation process.
• Document findings, strengths, constraints, and opportunities in a structured technical assessment report.
• Facilitate consultation with HQA Education Planning team and relevant Field focal points to validate findings and recommendations.
• Consolidate feedback and define prioritised next steps for completing the automation of the class formation process.
• Develop a practical and time-bound roadmap for the next phase of automation development and institutionalisation.
• Prepare the final report, incorporating all feedback and including an executive summary for senior management.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) from an accredited institution in Education Planning, Economics of Education, Statistics, Data Analytics, Information Systems, Public Policy, or a related field.
• A Bachelor's degree with significant additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Master's degree.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in education planning, school mapping, enrolment management, or education data systems.
• Minimum 2 continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the candidate's country of nationality or citizenship is desirable.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in class formation, education resource allocation, and/or school mapping processes at system level.
• Proven experience in data analysis and the development or use of planning tools, including advanced Excel modelling and/or automated data systems.
• Experience in EMIS, education databases, or process automation in the education sector.
• Strong analytical skills and capacity to synthesise complex data into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Experience working with UN agencies, international organisations, or refugee education systems is desirable.
• Familiarity with UNRWA's education system, class formation process, or EMIS is desirable.
• Experience with automation tools, scripting, or digital planning system development is desirable.
• Knowledge of education planning in conflict-affected or resource-constrained contexts is desirable.
• Excellent written communication skills in English, including the ability to produce concise technical reports and guidelines.

Skills

• Education Planning
• School Mapping
• Enrolment Management
• Education Data Systems
• Class Formation
• Education Resource Allocation
• Data Analysis
• Advanced Excel Modelling
• Automated Data Systems
• EMIS Systems
• Education Databases
• Process Automation
• Implementation Tools Development
• Technical Report Preparation
• Education Planning in Conflict Contexts
• Scripting
• Digital Planning System Development

Languages

English