Call for Proposals: Development of Brochure and Briefing Note on Education for Out-of-School Youth / Early School Leavers

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) is seeking a contractor to provide author services for two publications aimed at effectively advocating for and informing policies and practices on equity in education for out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY) and youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) in South-East Asia. 

Background and objective

UNESCO Bangkok, in collaboration with the Equitable Education Fund of Thailand, serves as the Secretariat of the Equitable Education Alliance (EEA), a network of 23 organizations across 19 countries. The alliance includes education practitioners, ministries, agencies, and NGOs dedicated to promoting inclusive and equitable education while strengthening the capacity of existing equitable education organizations.

According to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024, the out-of-school population worldwide has reduced by only 1% in last ten years, leaving 251 million children and youth out of school. The ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report also reveals that 256 million young people aged 15 to 24 worldwide—171 million women and 85 million men—were classified as NEET. The scarcity of data, particularly regarding education and training for young NEETs, presents a significant challenge to effectively identifying and addressing the issue. The need for flexible learning and creative strategy is paramount for these young NEETs to re-engage in education and training. 

In response to this situation and as part of its 2025 joint initiatives, the EEA plans to develop two key publications: (1) Brochure of good practices in education and training for early school leavers, and (2) Briefing note titled 'Innovative Education and Training Strategies for Youth NEETs in South-East Asia' (tentative title) that will provide an overview of the current situation of youth NEETs and highlight successful practices, with a particular focus on the South-East Asian region. 

Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to produce advocacy tools based on good practices to enhance education opportunities for early school leavers and youth NEETs in South-East Asia. Specific objectives of publication are as follows:

• Good practices in education and training for early school leavers
• Innovative education and training strategies for Youth NEETs in South-East Asia

A four-page brochure (A4) will present effective approaches to achieving equity in education, drawing from the expertise of EEA members to address the diverse education and training needs of out of school youth who left school before completing 12-year of basic education. It will showcase good practices and lessons learnt in financing, expanding provision and inclusion, and improving quality of education and training programmes. Primary readers are education policy makers and decision makers and social partners. The brochure will be disseminated in ASEAN Working Group on OOSCY and EEA members activities.

A briefing note (16-page) will showcase promising and innovative strategies for addressing educational inequalities among youth NEET groups. Based on analysis of on-going programmes and initiatives in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam (tentatively), report will illustrate effective and replicable strategies targeting different groups of youth NEET: adolescent boys, teenage mothers, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, urban poor, etc. It will look at both prevention strategies to encourage children and youth to stay in and bring them back to schools as well as flexible education and training strategies providing them with pathways for further studies and work. Primary readers are education service providers and educators. 

Youth age range will align with the country's youth policy, while acknowledging the UN's statistical definition of 15 to 24 years old. The work assignment will specifically focus on upper secondary school students who were unable to complete their education within the corresponding age range.

1. Work assignments

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, the guidance of the Chief of the Education Section, and the direct supervision of the Education Programme Specialist, the Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

1.1 Serve as the lead author of the following documents under the guidance of the EEA Secretariat (UNESCO and the Equitable Education Fund in Thailand).

1.1.1 Good Practices in Education and Training for Early School Leavers (brochure)

a) Conduct desk research: the contractor will review good practice information submitted by EEA members; and identify and review available secondary documents and web-based resources to draft an outline of brochure by 6 June 2025. 

b) Conduct online interviews with implementing partners of selected good practices to supplement information provided by UNESCO as needed. 

c) Draft 1,500-to-2,000-word manuscript highlighting EEA members’ approaches and models for advancing education for early school leavers. Use of diagrams, tables and photos are encouraged. Submit by 16 June 2025. 

d) Revise the manuscript based on feedback by UNESCO, EEF Thailand and EEA members. Submit by 23 June 2025. 

e) Review the print-ready brochure by 18 July 2025. 

1.1.2 Innovative Education and Training Strategies for Youth NEETs in South-East Asia (briefing note)

a) Conduct desk research and stakeholder consultations in English language.

• Conduct desk research on thematic focus identified for the paper in consultation with UNESCO. Document good practices and case studies, with a particular focus on flexible learning models tailored to diverse youth NEET profiles/thematic areas as specified in the proposed themes (with reference to Article c).
• Gather information of experts and programme managers specializing in youth NEET issues in the selected countries. The key stakeholders will include EEA members, Ministries of Education, SEAMEO, and related agencies. Ensure inclusion and representations in the profiles of stakeholders interviewed within and across countries. Develop guiding questions for online consultations/interviews with identified stakeholders. Submit draft set of interview questions and a list of informants by 16 June 2025.
• Conduct at least six individual/group interviews to collect insights on education and training programmes selected as case studies. UNESCO will facilitate the introduction of the experts, while the Contractor is expected to arrange the Zoom/MS Teams call. Submit interview notes by 31 July 2025.

b) Analyse the findings from both secondary and primary research and draft initial findings in PPT format by 8 August 2025. 

c) Write an original analytical and practical report in English.

• Outline of briefing note and suggested number of words:
  • Overview of the Youth NEET education situation in Southeast Asia – A summary of key challenges and trends – 1,000 words.

  • Detailed case studies from the selected countries under the proposed themes - Approximately 1,000 words per theme:  

    • Gender - Addressing gender disparities and ensuring gender equality
    • Disability inclusion
    • Migration due to conflicts and climate change
    • Digital innovations
    • Low employability and poverty
    • Early warning system/Preventive measures for school dropouts/early school leavers

    In each theme, the Contractor will identify financing mechanisms and flexible learning pathways to support the interventions. 

  • Practical recommendations/guidance for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to improve education access and outcomes for youth NEETs through flexible learning – 1,000 words.
  • References
• Each case study should provide: Background information, implementation process details, key success factors and challenges, lessons learnt and outcomes.
• Elaborate the case studies with relevant photos, charts, and illustrations as appropriate.
• The actionable recommendations for policymakers, educators and stakeholders should demonstrate strategies for improving flexible learning opportunities for youth NEETs. This includes the analysis of the case studies to identify emerging trends, gaps, and opportunities for scaling best practices in similar contexts.

1.2  Adhere to the UNESCO’s standards and requirements for publication. UNESCO guidelines include but not limited to UNESCO Style Manual and Guidelines on Gender-Neutral Language.

1.3  Incorporate comments and recommendations from UNESCO to the draft documents to ensure accuracy.

1.4  Strictly treat the documents confidential and the rights of distribution will reside solely with UNESCO.

In line with UNESCO's overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Contractor is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

2. Timeline and level of efforts

The assignment is scheduled to take 50 working days across May to December 2025. Below is a breakdown of level of efforts for key deliverables:

2.1 Desk research and inception report: 10 days in May 2025 

2.2 Primary research – interviews: 5 days in June 2025 

2.3 Analysis and writing manuscript of the brochure: 10 days for analysis and drafting; 2 days for revision and review in June and July 2025

2.4 Analysis and presenting initial findings in PPT format: 3 days in July and August 2025

2.5 Writing manuscript of briefing note: 15 days for drafting; 5 days for revisions and final review in September to December 2025. 

3. Payment and deliverables

Above assignments shall be carried out from the date of signing of a contract to 18 December 2025. The vendor will be paid in three instalments upon submission of deliverables listed below: 

3.1 Inception report by 6 June 2025 or before. [20% of fee]

3.2 Draft manuscript of brochure by 16 June 2025 or before (non-negotiable dates of deliverables).

3.3 Initial findings in PPT format by 8 August 2025 or before (non-negotiable dates of deliverables).  

3.4 Draft manuscript of briefing note by 20 November 2025 or before (non-negotiable dates of deliverables). [60% of fee]

3.5 Approval of final manuscript of briefing note by 18 December 2025 or before. [20% of fee]

4. Duration

The duration of this contract is 8 months. All activities shall be completed by 31 December 2025.

5. Qualifications

The successful Firm/Institution/Entity will possess the following mandatory qualifications:

5.1  Firm/Institution/Entity Qualifications 

5.1.1    Legal Qualifications

• Must be a legally registered public organizations, universities, NGOs or companies.

5.1.2   Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Proven expertise in conducting multi-country educational research and knowledge of education programmes for OOSCY and NEETs in the Asia.
• Proven experience of at least 3 research projects in the field of education in low/middle income country contexts.
  3. Language Requirement:
• Good communication skills in English.
• Ability to produce well-articulated and evidence-based report in English. 

5.2  Team Composition and Qualifications

5.2.1  Lead Researcher

• Education: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in education, teacher training, social science, and related fields.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of professional experience in conducting research in the field of education.
• Skills: Strong capacity for data analysis and research, with a commitment to delivering high-quality outputs within the agreed timelines.

5.2.2  A team of researchers/assistants. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience of working with the UN system including World Bank Group.

6. How to apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following:

6.1 Technical proposal (in English) outlining the research approach including methodologies (four pages maximum), a work plan with timelines, and comments on the Terms of Reference, in brief, if any;

6.2 Financial proposal indicating all the necessary cost (in USD) in the budget breakdown with unit cost for each item. A travel cost breakdown should be drawn up separately, if there is any travel. 

6.3 Firm/Institution/Entity’s profile and team members, including CVs of key individual(s) involved. 

6.4 At least two examples of previous publications and reports on education for OOSCY/NEETs or related fields.

UNESCO emphasizes ensuring that the work assignment's objectives, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will first focus on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money.

Your application should reach ed.bgk@unesco.org by email (please mention 'Call for Proposals: Publications on Education for OOSCY and Youth NEETs' in email subject line) no later than 18:00 Hours Bangkok time, GMT +7:00, on 25 May 2025 (extended).

 

Only short-listed organization/company/firm will be contacted.

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