Deadline extended - National Individual Consultancy for the Development of the Policy Document on Digitalization of the Education Sector

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

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

The Republic of Moldova embraces an education policy that is consistent with the European and international education policy, that responds to the current issues and needs of the education system and its beneficiaries. The documents underpinning the strategic development of the education system are proof of the high regard of the Government of the Republic of Moldova to shifting focuses on education in favour of quality and sustainability.

The Education Sector Analysis was performed in 2019 and informed the preparation of the education strategy, including a detailed problem analysis and efficiency of the sector. To ensure the continuous and sustained access to education for all children and in line with Moldovan authorities' efforts to achieve the objectives of SDG4, the Ministry of Education and Research (MER) in cooperation with UNICEF, as Grant Agent and Coordinating Agency for Education Sector Programme Implementation Grant (ESPIG) under the partnership with Global Partnership for Education (GPE), has developed a new long-term Development Strategy “Education 2030“. The DS explores the education sector within the international, regional, and national context and sets out the education policy of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the strategic directions of actions required for solving the identified issues.

One of the objectives of the new education strategy is to facilitate the digital transformation of the education sector. To achieve this important goal, UNICEF supported MER to develop a programme proposal, and successfully secured financing through the GPE Multiplier Fund for 2022-2025. The funding is solely used for digital transformation of the education sector. Based on a competitive process and its valuable experience and expertise in education globally and nationally, UNICEF was identified as Grant Agent (GA) and Implementing Agent (IA) for the Multiplier Fund, the Digital Innovation of Moldovan Education System Programme.

How can you make a difference?

1. Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop the policy document on digitalization of the education sector aligned with the Development Strategy “Education 2030”, the draft of the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2030 and other relevant documents. The policy document on digitalization will serve as a basis for an effective and efficient digital transformation of the education sector.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

The objective of the consultancy is to provide qualified assistance to MER and UNICEF for the development of a policy document on digital transformation (Program) of the education sector and a mid-term costed Action Plan for implementation.

3. Details of how the work should be delivered

The policy document on digitalization will be developed guided by the Development Strategy “Education 2030”, the draft of the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2030, European Moldova 2030 National Development Strategy, the Multiplier Programme, MER priorities, including the European Frameworks for Digital Competence for Educators and Students (DigCompEdu), and the EU Digital Education Action Plan.

The policy document on digitalization (Program) will include, but not be limited to:

• Vision and policy formulation and setting the policy priorities
• Identification of the key strategies for achieving the vision, including the human, technical, and financial resources and capacities required, remedial actions, costing and financing
• Development of a realistic costed action plan, defining the implementation.
• Development of a monitoring and evaluation framework.

The policy document on digitalization will also be based on the analysis of the current trends and thoughtful hypotheses for overcoming financial, technical, and administrative constraints to effective elaboration and implementation. It will provide a framework for domain priorities, activities, and budget. They will also recognize the strong ownership by key stakeholders. The policy document on digitalization will be evidence-based, with the main information drawn from: (a) evaluation indicators from policy documents and (b) detailed discussions and consultations with relevant stakeholders, c) best international practices.

In-depth discussions will be held with various stakeholders, particularly, members of the LEG, relevant MER departments, UNICEF, MoF, National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (ANACEC), National Curriculum and Evaluation Agency (NACE), e-Governance Agency Moldova, ATIC, and other relevant actors. Technical meetings with key personnel involved in education at both strategic and operational levels will be held to gain different perspectives on common issues, especially regarding the key strategic priorities and activities.

The key objective will envisage the development of an overarching framework of long-term strategic priorities in digitalization of the education sector, outcomes, and activities. The emerging interlinked results framework will be presented and further discussed at a one-day validation workshop with the MER, UNICEF, and e-Gov Agency, focusing on the adoption of a strategic design and its implementation arrangements, including a comprehensive approach towards monitoring and evaluation.

The incumbent will also ensure integration of gender equality, provisions for children with SEN and PSEA considerations, including safe and ethical protocols into the development of the policy document on digitalization of the education sector. The consultant will work closely with MER and UNICEF, consulting MER at all stages, seeking inputs through discussions and document writing activities. Also, the UNICEF Project Officer and Education Officer will provide technical assistance.

The policy document on digitalization will serve as the main policy framework for the digitalization of the education sector, education sector priorities, and a mid-term detailed implementation costed Action Plan for 2023-2025 for the operationalization of the Program, consistent with the identified policy priorities and linked to the national budget process, to usefully feed into the annual budget preparation and oversight processes. The Action Plan will outline staged implementation of activities, with information on timing, roles, responsibilities, and costs. The action plan will be part of the policy document (Program). Planned implementation arrangements with relevant responsibilities and accountability will be clearly identified and will be as close as possible to the usual responsibilities of ministries and ministry departments. To support the definition of the implementation arrangements, the capacity gaps of stakeholders at both central and local levels will be identified as well.

The final stage will include the development of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework of the policy with clearly defined results, targets, and key milestones. The policy document will contain a clearly defined M&E mechanism and assign M&E accountabilities. Relevant assumptions and risks will be identified as well and remedial actions.

4. Deliverables and delivery dates

NO.

Tasks

Deliverable

Timeline*

1.

Develop an inception report that will contain a detailed methodology and tools to be used for data collecting and analysis needed for drafting the policy document on digitalization (Program) and the mid-term costed Action Plan

Inception report containing the methodology and tools

2 working days

2.

Conduct desk review of documentation on digitalization of the education sector in Moldova, including international best practices and policies applied, available national studies, evaluations and reports, and data from relevant ministries and agencies

The desk review report containing main findings and recommendations for policy development

4 working days

3.

- Conduct relevant interviews and focus group discussions with MER departments, UNICEF, e-Governance Agency Moldova, World Bank, UN Agencies, USAID, ATIC and other relevant actors.

- Apply analytical methodology and tools to interviews and data

List of interviewed people, including the strategic priorities and interventions identified by the interviewees or the focus groups participants. Summary report on the key findings

3 working days

4.

Develop a comprehensive policy document on digitalization (Program) and costed Action Plan in Romanian and English and submit to the MER/UNICEF and stakeholders for review and comments

Draft policy document on digitalization, concept note and costed Action Plan with all comments from UNICEF, MER and other stakeholders addressed

18 working days

5.

Development of a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Draft monitoring and evaluation framework

4 working days

6.

Organize the validation meeting with UNICEF, MER, development partners and other stakeholders

- Consultation conducted, incl. logistic arrangement (agenda, invitation letter, and list of participants with confirmed attendance)

- PPT on the drafts of developed documents, including the vision, key strategic directions, objectives, financial, human, and other resources considerations etc.

- Summary report concluding the validation meeting.

2 working days

7.

Finalize policy document on digitalization, the mid-term costed Action Plan, and the M&E Framework.

Program on digitalization of the education sector

Costed Action Plan, and M&E framework (in Romanian and English)

2 working days

Total:

35 working days

5. Definition of supervisory arrangements

The consultant will work under the oversight of Project Officer of UNICEF Moldova. Payments will be rendered upon successful completion of each task, as per the schedule outlined above.

6. Work location and official travel involved

The work will require local travels in order to conduct in-person visits and interviews with the different government authorities, as per their availability. The consultant is expected to cover costs, arrange, and schedule such visits, including transportation. The UNICEF office will facilitate introductions to key informants.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• University degree in education, social policies, economics, or other relevant studies
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation, and development of strategic documents in education, including digitalization of the education sector and/or relevant technical fields
• Proven experience and involvement in developing education or related sectors policy documents (examples of specific strategic documents and/or policies developed should be provided)
• Demonstrated experience of work with Governmental institutions, preferably MER. Previous experience in working with the Government of the Republic of Moldova is a strong asset
• Familiarity with international, EU and European Commission policies and benchmarks in education and best European practices in the field of education. Previous work with UNICEF, other UN agencies, or the WB is an asset
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, both at technical level and policy level
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

2023_TOR_Nat Indiv Consultancy_Policy_Dig_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical Offer and Financial Offer (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.

Technical Offer.docx

Financial Offer.xlsx

Applications for this assignment must be received no later than: 12 November 2023

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 7 months ago - Updated 5 months ago - Source: unicef.org