Consultant -Senior Psychometrician for the Foundational Learning Study, Education section, Islamabad, Pakistan, 4 months (Remote with trip)

UNICEF Pakistan is seeking a Senior Psychometrician on a consultancy basis to provide expert technical assistance to the National Assessment Wing (NAW) of the Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE). The consultant will play a critical role in supporting the completion and reporting of the Foundational Learning Study (FLS-2026) and National Achievement Test (NAT-2026). This includes conducting psychometric analyses, benchmarking, and ensuring alignment with international standards such as the Global Proficiency Framework (GPF) and SDG indicator 4.1.1. The assignment is home-based with required travel to Islamabad and spans four months. The consultant will work closely with NAW/PIE to finalize Pakistan’s first nationally representative assessment of Grade 3 literacy and numeracy, contributing to the country’s foundational learning evidence base.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical expertise in psychometric analysis, including item response theory (IRT), item calibration, equating, and scaling across multiple languages (English, Urdu, Sindhi).
- Support benchmarking of foundational learning outcomes aligned with the GPF and Minimum Proficiency Levels (MPLs).
- Assist in preparing documentation and reporting for SDG 4.1.1 in accordance with UIS/GAML technical criteria.
- Extend large-scale assessment administration to English-medium schools and ensure methodological continuity.
- Collaborate with NAW/PIE and other stakeholders to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
- Build capacity of government assessment teams through knowledge transfer and technical guidance.
- Participate in two planned trips to Islamabad for coordination and stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications
- PhD in psychometrics, educational measurement, statistics, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in large-scale learning assessments, including advanced skills in IRT, item calibration, equating, and scaling.
- Proven experience in setting foundational learning benchmarks aligned with international frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of UIS/GAML technical criteria and SDG 4.1.1 reporting requirements.
- Experience designing and analyzing multilingual assessments.
- Familiarity with the South Asian context and experience working with national assessment bodies or ministries.
- Demonstrated capacity-building experience with government teams.
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- Direct involvement with the FLS-2026 instrument design, pilot analysis, or large-scale administration is highly desirable.
- Opportunity to contribute to a landmark national education assessment with international impact.
- Work with UNICEF, a globally recognized organization committed to children’s rights and development.
- Flexible home-based working arrangement combined with essential travel to Islamabad.
- Engagement in a diverse, inclusive, and values-driven work environment that promotes professional growth and meaningful impact.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. All candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure compliance with UNICEF’s safeguarding policies. This consultancy offers a unique chance to contribute to Pakistan’s education sector by supporting evidence-based policy and reporting aligned with global education goals.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a detailed technical proposal, CV, and financial proposal through UNICEF’s official recruitment channels before the application deadline of October 29, 2026. The technical proposal should outline understanding of the assignment, methodology for psychometric analysis and benchmarking, a work plan including travel, capacity-building approach, and relevant experience.

UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This is an international recruitment opportunity with a contract under a consultant agreement.

For more information about UNICEF and this consultancy, please visit the official UNICEF careers website.