Consultancy – Education Technology and Digital Learning, UNICEF Thailand, Bangkok

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Education

UNICEF Thailand Country Office works to ensure the rights of all children in Thailand. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The Education Section, UNICEF Thailand Country Office (TCO) is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical assistance and management support to strengthen UNICEF’s contribution to the delivery of quality and equitable digital learning through the Thai public education system.

Background:

In Thailand as elsewhere, the importance of digital technologies in mitigating the impact of school closures and ensuring continuity of learning was reinforced during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. It served as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to engage proactively with the role education technology and digital learning can play in transforming its educational landscape for better learning and educational opportunities for all. As part of its 20-year “Thailand 4.0” national development plan for an innovation-driven economy, the country has prioritized creation of a Thai education eco-system to support 21st century skills and excellence. This includes building a comprehensive Digital Education Excellence Platform (DEEP). There is also an active interest among the private sector to engage in exploring technology solutions to drive progress in education in Thailand. While these initiatives represent a substantial push by the Royal Thai government and partners to improve digital learning, evidence suggests that significant challenges remain, particularly around inequitable access to ICT infrastructure, quality courseware and content, and digital skills of both teachers and learners in translating the vision into reality

Within this emerging context and in line with its global organizational priority around Reimagine Education, UNICEF Thailand has prioritized technical assistance (TA) for digital learning and transformation reaching all children and young people in school and out of school, especially the disadvantaged, to the Ministry of Education and its partners as part of the “building back better” advocacy in response to COVID-19. Our approach involves demonstrating and generating evidence to inform policy decisions, engaging stakeholders in collaborative learning and supporting stakeholders with evidence, technical assistance, and learning networks. The objective of the consultancy is three-fold:

1. Lead, contribute, manage, and coordinate identified activities, including technical reviews, evidence generation, and policy engagement required to deliver on the agreed TA.
2. Ensure the design and implementation plans are based on a thorough understanding of the evidence base on digital learning and transformation and the Thai context.
3. Scope and assess need and develop options for how UNICEF Thailand could intervene in the new country programme of cooperation.

Work Assignment:

In support of the UNICEF Thailand Education work plan, with a special focus on reimagine education component of the COVID response, the consultant will undertake the following work assignments:

1. Lead, commission, provide, and coordinate technical inputs to improve digital learning and training, including:

• Strengthening the national digital learning platform (NDLP), particularly the current platform - Digital Excellent Education Platform (DEEP), through assessment against industry standards and user research to strengthen the architecture and content of the - and ensure enhanced responsiveness to student and teacher needs and practices.
• Conceptualization of digital solutions to support student-centred learning with a focus on a) competency-based curriculum and assessment delivery; b) skills development among secondary school children – both in and out of school; and c) possible adaptation of Learning Passport for online training of Early Childhood Development (ECD) workforce.
• Documentation of lessons learned of existing initiative on teacher training in the deep South; and strategy development for upskilling of educators in the appropriate and effective use of digital technology for learning and teaching through peer networks; and with reference to the planned Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC).

2. Identify, support, and facilitate development of policy guidelines and tools necessary for educators and policymakers to assess and address the digital divide at the sub-national level, including:

• Review of the enabling policies such as national ICT policy framework, particularly on digital technology for education, national level policy on ICT for education.
• Recommendations for policy development/guidelines to inform development of norms and guidance on procurement, supply, use, and maintenance of infrastructure, etc.
• Data visualization, evidence briefs, and development of guidance and diagnostic tools where appropriate.

3. Scope, identify, and assess options for technical support which UNICEF can support for the new Country Programme of Cooperation (2022-2026):

• Rapid review of how digital is used in the basic education sector in Thailand to benchmark what exists, what is envisioned, and what is required to deliver – with a focus on equity and excluded children and young people and supporting school to work transitions.
• Stakeholder mapping of experts across academia, non-profit, and public and private sector essential for policy engagement.
• Recommendations for an accompanying research agenda based on critical knowledge gaps; as well as identification of key market-friendly initiatives/hooks for private sector engagement.

Work Schedule:

• Agree with supervisor on quarterly work plans – tentatively scheduled for 15 April, 05 July, 05 October 2021, and 05 January 2022.
• Submit monthly progress reports against agreed quarterly workplans.

End Product:

• Quarterly workplans.
• Monthly report on planning, actions and progress and accompanied by relevant documentation as agreed to in the quarterly workplans – Terms of reference, workshop / meeting reports, technical reviews and knowledge briefs, among others.

• Key knowledge products commissioned, monitored, and available at agreed times during the consultancy:

• Feasibility assessment of data visualization of digital divide based available data – estimated availability June 2021.

• Technical review of national learning platform (DEEP) against industry good practices – estimated availability July 2021.
• User research to inform improved design of DEEP – estimated availability December 2021.
• Policy landscape analysis – estimated availability October 2021.
• Strategy note on recommended areas of work which UNICEF can support in digital learning including stakeholder mapping, research agenda, and privates sector engagement – estimated availability January 2022.

Estimated Duration of Contract: 11 months (full time) during 1 April 2021 – 28 February 2022

Official Travel: Official travel maybe required upon necessity.

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Thai Nationality.
• Advanced University degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or other related fields.
• Having at least 5 years of relevant experience in identifying and promoting use of education technology solutions for digital learning and enhancing teaching-learning process, including knowledge of internationally/nationally available EdTech programs, courseware or hardware.
• Familiarity working with and interpreting data in the field of education and technology.
• Fluency in both oral and written communication in Thai and English is required.
• Experience in coordination with government or development agencies is considered an asset.
• Proven proficiency and knowledge of relevant computer applications.
• Good organizational and interpersonal skills; and ability to be tactful, exercise discretion, be a self-starter and demonstrate good judgement.
• Meet and aligned with UNICEF core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV or P-11, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed monthly professional fee in THB by 10 March 2021

FORM P11.doc

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People, and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.