Consultants for developing a new digital competence framework for teachers

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity 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 (MoE) 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 the effects of emergency situations. 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. One of the specific objectives is to support further development of digital education and strengthen capacity of institutions for its delivery, management and monitoring.

Development of digital competences of teachers is seen as a priority by educational authorities. For that purpose, the MoE developed a Digital Competence Framework for Teachers – a document with a goal to ensure a common understanding of the digital competences of teachers, and support teachers in the process of integrating digital concepts, tools and content into everyday educational practice. Furthermore, educational authorities developed, based on the Digital Competence Framework for Teachers 2019, the instrument for the self-evaluation of digital competences of teachers. Both the competence framework and the instrument for self-evaluation require periodical revisions, in order to keep them updated and in line with the increasingly rapid technological and related pedagogical changes.

Work Assignment Overview:

Under the general guidance and direction of the UNICEF Education Programme, the MoE and the Institute for Education Quality and Evaluation, three consultants shall be selected and responsible to work together, equally contribute and jointly develop a draft of the new Digital Competence Framework for Teachers 2023, and to revise the instrument for the self-evaluation and evaluation of digital competences of teachers based on the new framework.

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

Task description:

Task 1: Develop a new Digital Competence Framework for Teachers

As a part of a team of three consultants, under the guidance of UNICEF Serbia, the Ministry of Education and the Institute for Evaluation and Quality of Education, develop a draft of the New Digital Competence Framework for Teachers which will:

• use the existing Digital Competence Framework for Teachers 2019 as a starting point for the development of the new framework,
• consult relevant publications e.g., the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp), DigCompEdu, SELFIE for Teachers, ISTE Standards for educators,
• offer a common understanding of the digital competences of teachers in the Serbian education system,
• integrate the features of the current educational policy and the adopted measures in developing digital education in Serbia,
• consider recent developments and studies like those in the area of Artificial Intelligence in Education and digital well-being,
• focus on equity, gender sensitivity, and human rights as the core underlying values.

Task 2: Revise the instrument for the self-evaluation and evaluation of the digital competences of teachers

As a part of a team of three consultants, under the guidance of UNICEF Serbia, the Ministry of Education and the Institute for Evaluation and Quality of Education, revise the instrument for the self-evaluation and evaluation of digital competences of teachers using the existing instrument (https://digikomp.ceo.edu.rs/) as a starting point and taking into consideration the EU DigComp 2.2: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens, Instrument for self-evaluation of teachers' digital competences called "Selfies for teachers", and recent developments and studies like those in the area of Artificial Intelligence in Education and digital well-being.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Science (including Social sciences), Humanities, Technology/ Engineering, or Mathematics; Advanced degree would be an asset;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in doing analysis relevant to digital education and use of information and communication technologies in education;
• Excellent knowledge of the education system in Serbia, particularly in the area of digital education and use of information and communication technologies in education;
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills;
• Ability to meet tight deadlines through excellent time management and organization skills;
• Excellent knowledge of Serbian and English languages;
• Previous experience with developing digital competence frameworks for teachers would be considered as an advantage.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the service price for the whole assignment (per consultant).

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.