Developing Training Pack on ECCE in crisis situations

Contract

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**BACKGROUND AND AIMS** ----------------------- Within the framework of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States’ programme which aims to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), improve access to education in Arab countries in crisis, and support educational opportunities for children whose education was interrupted because of these crises; As part of the KSRelief-funded project ‘Education for Peace: Developing Resources Packs and Core Research and Training Team for Emergency and Peace Building within the context of SDG4’ (Oct. 2019-Oct.2021) at UNESCO; Capitalizing on the [Kodrat](https://www.kodrat-unescoregional.com/) platform which is a digital training platform developed by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States in cooperation with the educational development center ‘Pedagogy’ and with funding from KSRelief, and which provides free online training courses in several educational fields and thematics, for teachers, educators, decision-makers, and other education practitioners and stakeholders in the Arab region; Short Description ----------------- Building on the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on [mainstreaming early childhood education (ECE) into education sector planning](http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/mooc-mainstreaming-early-childhood-education-education-sector-planning-4918); which was co-organized by UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and hosted on the IIEP-UNESCO Virtual Campus; **UNESCO is planning to develop an online course on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in crisis situations that is contextualized to the Arab region.** The aim of the online course would be to guide Ministry of Education officials and their partners (education planners and policy makers, development partner agency staff, academics, non-governmental organisations, etc.) to gain insights into how ECCE can more effectively be integrated into policies and plans; particularly in Arab countries which are in crisis or facing conflict. In this context, UNESCO Beirut Office calls for an individual consultant to develop a **customized** online course and fitting to the Arab States context and needs. The consultant will design the online course, develop course contents and curate the course platform. The organization of the course, materials and self-administered tests should duly refer to the work of UNESCO (and other relevant partners as necessary) in this area. **OBJECTIVES OF THE ONLINE COURSE** ----------------------------------- - - ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Guide the strengthening of the ECCE sub-sector by ensuring that it is a core component of education sector planning (ESP); - Support governments in crisis/conflict in the Arab region to plan for and implement quality ECCE programmes as part of their national education sector plans; - Support the implementation of SDG 4 to ensure access to ECCE for children in the Arab region; - Introduce fundamental concepts and key planning tools and processes needed to integrate pre-primary policies in national education sector plans in Arab countries in conflict/crisis; - Strengthen the capacities of educational professionals and practitioners on ECCE mainstreaming in crisis situations. **KEY ELEMENTS** ---------------- - Fundamental concepts and key planning tools and processes - Analysis of current state of ECCE in the country - Development of ECCE policies and programmes (incl. costing, financing, implementation, M&E) - Best practices on strengthening ECCE in crisis situations. For the development of the online course, the Consultant will consider the following: - Building-on the [English version](http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/mooc-mainstreaming-early-childhood-education-education-sector-planning-4918) in terms of aims and content (5 Modules which have been already translated to Arabic); - Ensuring a contemporary, contextualized, and customized course that fits the particular context and needs of the Arab countries in crisis/conflict; - Complementing the online course with a user manual to explain key features and functions of the online course and to guide the target learners to the optimal ways to effectively utilize the course for their learning purposes. **SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES** ------------------------- In particular, the Consultant is expected to: - **Develop an online course** on ECCE in crisis situations in Arab countries, to include 4-5 interrelated Modules in English. - **Develop a user manual** to accompany the online course. - The revision of the **Arabic translation** of the course and manual (upon UNESCO validation of the English version, the course shall be translated into Arabic by a translator hired by UNESCO); in view of the course publication, in both English and Arabic, on the [Kodrat](https://www.kodrat-unescoregional.com/) platform; - **Two regional webinars;** the first towards the start of the assignment to assess and get feedback on the region’s particularities and needs with relevant stakeholders and generate interest for the course; the second to launch and introduce the online course to targeted stakeholders. Short Description ----------------- The course shall be first developed in English at professional level, and shall include, in addition to the key educational content, relevant case studies/good practices, illustrations, videos/animations, annexes and resources/further reading. The Modules are to incorporate examples/case studies, as relevant, of best practices from other Regions and around the world. A full reference list must be included, and selected illustrations (e.g. figures, tables, graphs or photos) to which appropriate reference is made in the text, where appropriate. Facts and figures in the documents should be carefully cited. Where necessary, acronyms can be used but these should be spelled out when used for the first time and be accompanied by a table of acronyms. The final course (and all supporting materials) will be translated into Arabic by a translator hired by UNESCO, and the consultant will revise all the translated material to ensure consistency and quality. Main deliverables shall be written in English to ensure proper peer-review can be made both internally at UNESCO and with partners as relevant. Whilst it is important to refer to the English version of the online course in respect to inclusion of key dimensions and content for the Modules; it is necessary to ensure a customized and contextualized version that is tailored to the Arab region context; and in close coordination and consultation with UNESCO. As per article XI.6 of the present contract, the author should provide UNESCO with written evidence of permission for UNESCO to reproduce or otherwise use the materials in the work in whatsoever form or language it is published by using the Permission Consent Form attached to this contract. TASKS ----- 1. Prepare and submit a methodological plan for the consultancy with key milestones and timeline; 2. Carry out desk and literature review and review similar resources used in the region or other regions; 3. Plan and deliver, in coordination with UNESCO, a regional webinar as a needs assessment/consultation with relevant stakeholders in the region to guide a tailored course development; 4. Develop a framework and a structure for the online course and for each of the course Modules, present the draft to UNESCO and integrate feedback; 5. Elaborate the content of each Module; 6. Prepare and ensure timely delivery of the first draft of the online course, present a draft to UNESCO and integrate feedback; 7. Finalize the English course based on UNESCO comments; 8. Proofread the final text once the graphic designer has worked on the layout; 9. Provide the instructional videos or animations that will be part of the online course/modules; 10. Plan and deliver; in coordination with UNESCO, a regional webinar/workshop to launch the online course and introduce it to targeted stakeholders and partners (which will include Ministries of Education in Arab States in conflict/crisis); 11. Liaise with UBO team on all aspects of the assignment and seek UNESCO validation before proceeding with any activity organization and validation, as well as prior to any external communication. TASKS ----- More specifically regarding the online course, the incumbent should: 1. **Mock up the Course:** consulting UNESCO on the outlines and focused areas, and consulting relevant stakeholders through a regional webinar, the contractor will organize and curate the course components (present a working sample to review the format, content, and layout). 2. **Develop the Course Content:** develop the contextualized course comprising 4-5 modules of self-tutorial lessons and videos (including coursework such as assignments or tasks), building on available resources; and incorporating content tailored to the Arab region context. The course contents will also include video interviews of key relevant stakeholders or experts and short exemplars on successful and promising practices mostly from the region but also from other regions. Furthermore, the modules should be gamified and comprise short videos including case studies presented by experts with slideshows. 3. **Develop the Course Materials**: The course will include summary and detailed information derived from literature published by UNESCO and other recognized organizations. The materials will include concepts, frameworks, and real-life applications and case studies. **4. Supporting Materials**: In addition to the literature-based materials and real-life examples, the course will include video interviews and short documentaries about successful and promising case studies in the Arab world. Slideshows will be provided to complement the course content. - The contractor should be responsible for producing the videos, including but not limited to: - Preparing the scripts for the videos as relevant; - Selecting the voice-over talents, maintaining gender balance; - Recording the approved scripts with the selected voice-over talents in Arabic and English; - Adding a music track background for the videos (ensuring the license for online broadcast such as YouTube and UNESCO’s online platform for the online courses); - Producing the animation related to the scripts for the modules. **5. Course Delivery Modality:** The course will be offered as an asynchronous online model. This will allow learners to study at their own pace, and will reduce cumbersome administrative and academic challenges of operating synchronous courses. **6. Course Assessment**: Following each course module, learners will have to take a self-administered test (quiz). Learners will have to pass each test before moving to the following module. **-** ----- **7. Course Certificate**: Upon the successful completion of the course based on the final assessment, learners will receive an automated UNESCO certificate of completion of the course, stating their name and dates of completing the course. - **Course Dissemination**: Design and deliver a regional launching webinar (workshop style) targeting policy-makers and practitioners about the course and the user manual which orients target audiences on how to make best use of the modules, and deliver the webinar in coordination with UNESCO; provide target audiences and users guidance to facilitate their self-directed learning such as action-planning tools, guided inquiry and templates. **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Advanced university agree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, pedagogy, or related social sciences; - A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience; particularly concerning early-childhood education and vulnerable children/students in crisis situations in the Arab region; - Working experiences and good knowledge of education and development issues in the Arab region; - Experience in contents development for online courses and good knowledge of online course design; past experience in developing a similar course (structures and contents) will be an asset. - Demonstrated ability to work effectively and independently within a complex and multicultural environment. - Capacity to deliver high quality results within specified timelines. - Previous experience in working with UNESCO, or other UN agencies, is preferable; - Excellent research, analytical and writing skills in Arabic; - Availability and readiness to start assignment immediately (as of July 2021). **HOW TO APPLY** ---------------- **LANGUAGES** - Fluency in both written and oral English and Arabic is a requirement. French is a plus. **HOW TO APPLY** Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents to Mr. Elie Imad at : - Updated curriculum vitae (CV); including 2 references; - A statement indicating how the qualifications and experiences make you suitable for the assignment; and **confirming availability for immediately starting the assignment** (maximum two pages, A4). - A brief description (2-3 pages) of the technical approach, methodology and work plan for performing the assignment. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step may be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. This assignment will be remote/home-based along with a few potential coordination meetings at the UNESCO Beirut Office. The remuneration will be based on the UNESCO scale for individual consultants as per the current rate.