FinCEED’s professional training in education sector development cooperation for Finnish experts focuses on global perspectives in system-wide education development. It also aims to enhance education and learning in the context of developing countries. The language of the training is English, and participation is free of charge.

The training comprises of two modules and is divided into practical in-person training days, virtual learning sessions, and online self-study. The training covers 2,5 ECTS credits, including:

• 4 days of contact learning
• 6-8 hours of distance learning
• Approximately 30 hours of online self-study

Module 1 (spring 2025)

The module one consists of a pre-assignment and contact learning in a two-day workshop.

FinCEED covers accommodation and meals for the participants during the contact training. However, please note that any travel expenses or daily allowances will not be reimbursed.

Pre-assignment

The pre-assignment provides an overview of the Finnish education system and development cooperation in the education sector. The pre-assignment will be completed online on the training platform during April 2025.

Contact training

Dates: 6-7 May 2025

Location: Hotel Rantapuisto, Helsinki, Finland

The contact training delves deeper into education sector development and its challenges, topical issues and questions both globally and at the country level.

Module 2 (summer/autumn 2025)

The module two consists of virtual learning sessions, online self-study and contact learning in a two-day workshop.

The module focuses on central themes in the field of quality education and training where the experience and expertise of Finland might have an added value. The special focus of the module is on ensuring quality of education for example in the fields of equity and inclusion, teacher training, educational innovations, skills development, education in emergencies and quality assurance.

FinCEED covers accommodation and meals for the participants during the contact training. However, please note that any travel expenses or daily allowances will not be reimbursed.

Virtual learning sessions

Dates: summer/autumn 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed)

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Contact training

Dates: 27-28 October 2025

Location: Helsinki, Finland (exact venue to be confirmed)

For whom?

The training targets experts on development cooperation in the education sector. Participants can be experienced with development policy and cooperation, who wish to strengthen their expertise in the field of education, or alternatively experts, who are experienced with education systems and interested in international development cooperation.

FinCEED welcomes participants with different backgrounds (public and private sectors, higher education institutions, CSOs, education providers, etc.). The training also offers opportunities for networking and mutual learning among participants. The training is targeted for Finnish experts. Also, experts outside of Finland, or non-Finnish residents can be regarded, if they have a thorough experience in Finland’s development policy and cooperation, and/or in working with the Finnish education system.

Selection criteria and how to apply

Participants (25 persons) are selected through an open call. Priority is given for those who are registered in the FinCEED expert directory. Selected participants should have some level of proven experience in education sector development cooperation. Preferably, they should have strong interest and motivation to apply for international education sector positions in the near future. Ideally the selected participants would have (all or some areas apply):

• professional experience in the field of educational development in Finland
• professional experience (may include volunteer work, internship or similar) from international development cooperation or humanitarian assistance or civilian crisis management
• previous experience in the field of educational development internationally, preferably in a developing country context
• motivation and strong interest to apply for international positions within education and development
• commitment to participate in contact learning workshops in Helsinki, Finland, in May and October 2025
• some or all of the following competencies: ethical awareness and intercultural communication skills, collaborative working skills, skills to build and maintain partnerships, strategic thinking and analytical mindset
• excellent working proficiency in English. Proficiency of other languages (i.e. French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic) is an asset

FinCEED will select the participants based on these criteria. In addition, an overall assessment will be applied in order to ensure diversity and complementarity of the training group. Also, while making the final selections for the course, the Finnish development policy priorities in the area of quality inclusive education will be considered (teaching for learning outcomes, right to education for girls and children with disabilities and youth and employment and life skills).

Apply for the training by 5 March 2025, 16:15 (EET). Attach your updated CV (in English), or if you are registered to the FinCEED expert directory, ensure your CV there is up to date.

If you would like to update your profile in the FinCEED expert directory, you can do so via a separate login link. If you do not have the link, please do not hesitate to contact us at finceed@oph.fi.

Inquiries

finceed@oph.fi