Consultant for conducting research on the development of inclusive and digital education at the school-level

Contract

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

UNICEF in Serbia and the Ministry of Education, with the support from the European Union, are implementing the project “Bridging Digital Divide in Serbia for Most Vulnerable Children” with the overall objective to strengthen the resilience of the education system to emergency situations, with a particular focus on Roma children. The intervention builds on previous achievements in the development of quality inclusive education and digitalization in education, and encompasses activities for further system strengthening at the national and school level. Within the project, 30 primary schools throughout Serbia were supported to provide additional learning and psychosocial support to their students, particularly children from vulnerable groups. For that purpose, each school was supported to form school’s Education Technology Library and Learning Club in order to support children from vulnerable groups to participate in distance learning by borrowing devices for use at home and accessing on-line education, as well as to assist teachers and students in implementing IT-integrated teaching and learning methods within school premises.

As the COVID-19 pandemic had a potentially significant negative effects on children’s mental health, expert associates from 30 schools were supported to prepare and implement action plans focusing on psychosocial support to students and their parents. A wide range of issues was targeted with the aim of enhancing children’s resilience and wellbeing, such as: coping with stress, violence recognition, managing emotions, etc. The realization of the project activities and its effects were being regularly monitored in accordance with the project M&E plan. The plan envisages exploring the process of developing schools’ learning and psychosocial support to students in more detail by conducting three case studies (in three schools).

Work Assignment Overview:

Under the general guidance and direction of the UNICEF Education Programme, the consultant shall be responsible for conducting three case studies in three project schools, so as to portray and analyse in more detail the process of school development in the area of provision of learning and psychosocial support, and for preparing a comprehensive research report based on these case studies.

Duration of the assignment: June – September 2023 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

Develop a report based on three case studies in three project schools on developing learning and psycho-social support within the project ‘Bridging Digital Divide in Serbia for Most Vulnerable Children’:

• Design a research methodology with data collection instruments to be used in case studies,
• Analyse available data on schools selected for case studies, provided by UNICEF,
• Visit schools and collect qualitative data,
• Prepare integral report with accompanying case studies.

Deliverable: Integral report with accompanying case studies in three projects schools

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Psychology, Pedagogy, Education or other fields of Social Studies and Humanities. Advanced degree would be an asset
• At least 10 years of experience in education research, including qualitative methods
• Proven expertise in inclusive pedagogies and education
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking, ability to synthesise complex information
• Sound judgement is required in follow-up on requests
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• Ability to meet tight deadlines through excellent time management and organization skills
• Good knowledge of oral and written Serbian and English
• Work experience with UNICEF and/or other international organizations would be considered as an advantage

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Total fee (all costs included, e.g., usage of mobile phone),
2. Daily travel allowance for an overnight stay in Serbia (including accommodation),
3. Transportation costs per km (for travel within Serbia).

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a" or "00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.