Consultancy services for ensuring coordination of all activities carried out at local level in the field of education (3 part-time positions – Moinesti, Bacau, Brasov)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 fulfill 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.

How can you make a difference?

Context

“Romania for every child. Making social inclusion real – breaking the cycle of exclusion for the most vulnerable children in Romania” is a SEE-Norway Grants 2014-2021 funded project, awarded to UNICEF as Promoter, in partnership with county and local authorities in Brasov and Bacau. The project aims to advance the social inclusion and equitable distribution of opportunities for the most vulnerable children in Romania, in particular children living in poverty in urban and rural areas, Roma children and children with disabilities (CWD), building on prior experience gathered through the implementation of a pilot programme modelling the Minimum Package of Services (MPS) between 2014 -2019 in Bacau. The project suggests a further development of the initial models and it aims to improve the availability of a continuum of services, from prenatal period until 18 for children and their families, enhancing the accessibility to specialized services to which the MPS team can refer all children and their families in need of more specialized assistance and care. The integrated services should be provided in five (5) Integrated Community Centers (ICCs): one in Brasov and other four (4) in Bacau County.

At the same time, it aims to harness and complement the work of UNICEF for promoting Quality Inclusive Education (QIE), in other on-going programmes implemented in Bacau - with focus on facilitating the transition of students from lower secondary to upper secondary and on early childhood education and care (ECEC). In line with the results framework agreed upon for the 2018-2022 cycle, UNICEF and the Government of Romania cooperate in the field of education, promoting the right of all children to quality inclusive education. UNICEF programmatic approach is therefore expected to lead to more inclusive and equitable outcomes in the field of education, while contributing to the reduction and prevention of early school leaving.

The essence of quality inclusive education is embedded in the skills and expertise of school staff. Based on current evidence, previous experience in testing educational activities and recent consultations with both educational staff and children, we propose a robust capacity building program looking at strengthening the school staff capacity to promote quality inclusive education. The design and development of the program will promote a participatory approach and will be tailored considering the results of a training needs analysis. Face to face trainings will be complemented by online sessions. To consolidate learning, a follow up and support system for teachers will be put in place.

It is expected that once a core group of teachers and other school staff (at least 70) will receive new knowledge, this will contribute to changing the school ethos, so that schools are welcoming and inclusive – including for Roma children and children with disabilities.

At the same time, at least 2100 students (out of which 10% of children at high risk of dropout) will benefit from direct specialized educational services as described below. Further, at least 630 parents will receive parenting education services.

“Romania for every child” project started in June 2021 and will be implemented on a period of 31 months. The educational component of the project is implemented in 3 urban communities (Bacau city, Moinesti city and Brasov city) for 26 months starting with November 2021.

Consultancy – (3 positions, part-time, 84 hours/month/expert)

UNICEF Romania is currently looking for 3 experts (individual assignment) to ensure overall coordination of all educational activities to be carried out in the following communities: Bacau, Moinesti, Brasov under the framework of “Romania for every child”.

The experts will have the following responsibilities:

1. Ensure overall coordination of experts and trainers working for the implementation of education activities in the project.
2. Promote the activities of the project in the community and especially in the schools that participate in the project.
3. Support all the experts involved in the activities 1.4 and 1.5 to plan, organize, implement, report and evaluate the activities.
4. Work closely with the local teams put in place for the ICCs.
5. Liaison with all local partners involved in the implementation of the project.
6. Participate in developing the methodologies for services delivery or other procedure needed for implementing the activities A1.4 and A1.5.
7. Following the methodologies adopted at project level and monitoring/reporting the progress activities according to the templates and the criteria required within the project framework.
8. Registering and monitoring the beneficiaries (target group) according to the methodologies put in place within the framework of the project.
9. Anticipate and identify risks or bottlenecks and report them to the management team, propose mitigation actions and implement the actions according to the risk management plans.
10. Provide technical support and methodological guidance on the educational program implemented in the project for all school units included in the project.
11. Organize/participate at meetings (online/field visits) in order to discuss progress and monitor results, based on a grid of indicators assumed in the project,
12. Ensure a proper communication flow between all partners at local/county level and UNICEF.
13. Participate in training, workshops and events organized in the project.
14. Ensure follow-up of the capacity building program involving school units covered in the project.

• ) Dissemination of information related to the educational interventions at local, county level and national level.

16. Support for identifying and involving new partners and supporters (local level) in order to continue to develop the best ways to keep the community engaged in supporting the activities in the project.

Deliverable and time frame: the contractor will provide technical reports to UNICEF every month, following the templates and procedures agreed within the project.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: university degree in educational sciences, social sciences or related field.
• Professional experience:
• minimum 3 years of specific experience in coordinating projects in the field of education and training,
• working experience in the field of pre-university education
• working experience in at least one project addressing at risk/disadvantaged categories of students

Other competencies******:

- proven knowledge of the pre university teacher training system in Romania,

- knowledge of children's rights,

- ability to work at grassroots level and with local authorities,

- familiarity with human rights-based approaches and with principles of gender mainstreaming,

- ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and establish harmonious and effective working relationships,

- communication skills, initiative, creativity,

- fluent Romanian is mandatory; good knowledge of the English is considered an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

General conditions

Working conditions. The consultant will work outside UNICEF premises, except for meetings convened by the direct supervisor.

Reporting

Within UNICEF, the contractor will report to the Education Officer and Programme Specialist. The contractor will also collaborate with the relevant public authorities and civil society. UNICEF will facilitate all the initial contacts with county and local authorities.

Payment calendar

This contract includes no other benefits. Travel costs to project sites and attending project meetings (situations when consultant is authorized to have access to UNICEF transport) will be covered by UNICEF outside this contract. Payments will be made upon approval of UNICEF supervisor and submission of invoice.

Note: consultant will sign health statement prior to taking the assignment and the designation form will be completed. The Consultant will be responsible for paying income taxes and any other due taxes as per applicable national legislation.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application will be made in the dedicated UNICEF platform and must include:

1. a cover letter, and underlining the motivation for applying for the position and how the candidate’s experience, skills and experience match the requirements of the position;
2. an updated CV focused on the skills and experience requested by the current consultancy;
3. a financial offer Financial template_Individual consultant_educ_3 positions.docx, specifying the requested GROSS monthly fee in RON (84 hours per month)

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.