VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION SPECIALIST

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION SPECIALIST

(Integrated Project Implementation Unit)

BACKROUND:

The proposed project aims to transform science and technology education (STE) in Mongolia by equipping secondary school students and teachers with future-ready skills and tools. It promotes leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation through hands-on, project-based learning while advancing gender equality and social inclusion. The project integrates climate resilient and sustainable development education, introduces new prototype laboratories for STE, and expands access to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for education. The project will be implemented in selected schools across Ulaanbaatar and rural areas of Mongolia, benefitting around 35,000 students, teachers, and school managers, including students from ger (yurt or traditional tents) areas, herder families, low-income households, and those with disabilities.

The project is aligned with the following impact: Mongolian students with improved knowledge and skills for overcoming barriers, thrive in the digital era, and contribute to knowledge sharing, climate resilience, and inclusive development, aligned with national and sector strategies. The project outcome is secondary school students’ engagement, confidence, sense of gender equality, and foundational skills for scientific reasoning and digital learning improved.

The project executing agency (EA) is the Ministry of Education (MOE), and the implementing agencies (IAs) are the MOE and Ulaanbaatar Metropolitan Education Department.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Responsible for overall management, day-to-day monitoring of project implementation as well as secondary science education, curriculum implementation, science pedagogy, and practical/experimental learning in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geography. Support and coordinate the development or implementation of science curriculum, design experiment-based learning activities, support school-level science improvement programs, or training science teachers in laboratory-based instruction, digital simulations, virtual labs, and integration of climate and environmental science. The specialist will liaise with the Ministry of Education and relevant technical experts to seek guidance and consolidate technical inputs, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with national standards and priorities. The specialist will serve as the Project Lead and act as Deputy Coordinator of the Integrated Project Implementation Unit (IPIU), ensuring effective coordination, quality assurance, and alignment across all project components.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

manage and supervise PIU staff and coordinate inputs from consultants and firms;
lead the preparation and consolidation of annual work plans, procurement plans, and progress reports, ensuring quality and timely submission to the Ministry of Education (MOE) and ADB;
monitor implementation progress across all outputs and activities, including progress against DMF indicators, and propose corrective actions as needed;
lead the preparation and consolidation of periodic technical reports on science education strengthening, synthesizing inputs from IPIU staff and consulting firms to capture progress, challenges, achievements, and recommendations. The specialist will review and provide quality assurance for all relevant technical and safeguards reports prepared by project staff and consultants, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with project requirements and ADB standards. The specialist will also provide inputs to PIU quarterly reports and support ADB review missions;
plan, coordinate, and support implementation of all science education strengthening activities under the project, ensuring alignment with the approved workplan, DMF indicators, and MOE’s curriculum reform directions for science subjects;
work closely with the Teacher Training Specialist to ensure coherence between science pedagogy, teacher training, experiment-based learning approaches, climate/environment integration, and the use of physical and virtual laboratories;
provide guidance on the preparation and finalization of technical TORs for procurement packages and provide technical guidance, supervision, and quality assurance for science education components implemented by consulting firms. This includes ensuring scientific rigor, curriculum alignment, and consistency with inclusive and gender-responsive practices; reviewing scientific content; validating experimental models; and identifying practical use cases for teachers and students. The specialist will also review and contribute to the application of disability-inclusive practices and liaise with the MOE and relevant technical experts to consolidate inputs and ensure alignment with national standards;
oversee and contribute to the development, adaptation, and quality assurance of science teaching materials prepared by consulting firms, including experiment guides, virtual laboratory resources, project-based learning modules, and climate and environmental integration materials, and review, select, and finalize outputs for publication and dissemination through the Ministry of Education’s webpage;
lead school-level engagement and provide technical guidance to pilot schools on the planning and operationalization of laboratory-based teaching and learning, including safety practices, use of laboratories, and delivery of inquiry- and project-based science education. The specialist will coordinate closely with relevant IPIU staff and consultants, the Ministry of Education and relevant school and education authorities, and participating schools to co-develop and refine science education content, teaching methodologies, and laboratory practices, ensuring effective utilization of facilities and strong school ownership for operation and maintenance (O&M).;
promote coordination and knowledge sharing among schools, consultants, and stakeholders, and support implementation of gender- and disability inclusive related aspects of the project;
work jointly with the Cost Estimator, Civil Engineer, Technical Advisor, and Procurement Specialist to ensure that science laboratory equipment, chemicals, reagents, furniture, safety tools, digital devices, and civil works for science labs are technically appropriate, scientifically relevant, aligned with curriculum needs, and suitable for school environments—recognizing that this is a contributory role rather than a primary responsibility;
collect and analyze science education–related data, including lab utilization patterns, teacher implementation of experiment-based lessons, student engagement in science activities, and inputs relevant to DMF indicators;
ensure compliance with ADB branding guidelines and JFPR fund requirements across all project outputs, including materials, training resources, events, and outreach activities.
the Science Education Specialist shall support all JFPR-financed grant projects implemented by the Ministry of Education. The expert's inputs under this assignment are expected to be shared across these projects in accordance with implementation requirements and priorities agreed among the EA/IA and ADB.
to timely complete and report on tasks and assignments given by the Project Coordinator.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

At least 7 years of experience in developing or implementing science curriculum, designing experiment-based learning activities, supporting school-level science improvement programs, or training science teachers.
Experience with laboratory-based instruction, digital simulations, virtual labs, and integration of climate and environmental science topics is highly desirable
Familiarity with inclusive and gender-responsive science instruction, student-centered learning, and the Mongolian secondary curriculum will be considered an advantage.
A master’s degree or higher in education, or a related field; and
Strong communication, analytical, and coordination skills are required. Fluency in Mongolian and good working proficiency in English are required.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Analyze documents and provide evaluations and conclusions
Develop evidence-based policy recommendations
Make lawful, effective, and timely decisions
Demonstrate integrity, share personal knowledge, skills, and positive information with colleagues and work collaboratively
Build open, professional, and trustworthy relationships with others persistence, professionalism, and support others by setting an example
Adhere to ethical standards and fulfill ethical obligations; possess strong professional communication skills.

Application procedure:

All interested candidates are required to submit a cover letter (maximum two pages) supported with the detailed CV, copy of diplomas or certificates, and a reference letter from at least the last one employer. The application deadline is 17:00 on 10 September 2026.

Only successful candidates will be contacted and interviewed.

Please submit the applications in person or via email to the address below:

Name: Jijgee.J, Procurement Consultant, Integrated Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Education

Address: Room 422, 4th floor, Ministry of Education, Government Building III, Baga toiruu 44, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar city, Mongolia, Tel: +976 7766-0888; Email: jijgeejagar@gmail.com