Development of a Standard Package for the Orientation of First Year Students in Zimbabwe

Contract

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Full Job Title -------------- **Development** **on a Standard Package of resource** **materials** **for the Orientation of First Year Students in Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions in Zimbabwe** **OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Harare Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 27-jul-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Summary** UNESCO seeks the services of a consultant to develop a standard package of resource materials for the Orientation of first year Students across higher and tertiary education institutions participating in the O3 Plus Project in Zimbabwe. **Background** UNESCO is working closely with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions (HTEIs), and key partners on the **Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future Plus (O3 Plus)** project to ensure that young people in higher and tertiary education institutions in the East and Southern African region realize positive health, education and gender equality outcomes through sustained reductions in new HIV infections, unintended pregnancy and gender based violence. The project seeks to empower students reach their full educational potential and contribute more effectively to the development of their countries and region as graduates, professionals and young leaders. UNESCO supports innovation in access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for HTEI students while advocating for policy and practice changes to make campuses safe and inclusive learning environments for students and staff. In doing so, the project institutionalizes health and well-being programmes for students while engaging leadership for long-term commitment and sustainability. Long Description ---------------- The work is being delivered through four complementary pillars or work streams: - Institutional strengthening for sustainability - Student health and well-being - Safe and inclusive campus environments - Evidence-building and knowledge-sharing platform. Strengthening orientation week / induction programmes for first year students to include SRHR services and information upon admission for conveying information to all students is one of the activities under institutional strengthening for sustainability. First year students embarking on undergraduate education enter with various backgrounds and understanding of what college expectations will be. Institutions must properly ease first year students into this new transition in their life. One way to help a first-year student’s transition into college is with a first-year orientation programme. These programmes provide unique space for students to adjust well to their institution. Orientation provides time prior to the academic year beginning to allow first-year students to meet their peers, better understand the transition into college, become familiar with campus, feel comfortable with interacting with faculty, staff and administration, and learn more about oneself and others in a large or small group setting. A UNESCO (2018) study found that first-year female students were a particularly vulnerable subpopulation which requires targeted SRH education and support during orientation. First year female students are often targeted by older men for sexual relationships and often experience sexual harassment from other students as well as from academic staff. This calls for efforts to strengthen content to include sexual and gender-based violence, relationships and broader sexual and reproductive health issues as part of the orientation package for first year students. By so doing, orientation programmes will highly benefit first year students and enhance their positive college life experience. Long Description ---------------- **The assignment** UNESCO seeks the services of a consultant to develop a standard orientation resource package and programme for first year students in higher and tertiary education institutions: 1. Undertake a desk review, assessment of all relevant documents currently used for orientation week across the twelve O3 Plus participating institutions in Zimbabwe to fully understand the ground situation and existing orientation materials and to propose innovative methods to deliver the orientation week to reach all students. 2. Consult students to collect their views and suggestions on how to improve the orientation package. 3. Develop a standard orientation programme and package of resource materials with an instructional guide for reaching all first-year students during orientation week. 4. Facilitate a stakeholder workshop for the validation and dissemination of the orientation package and programme. **Deliverables:** The consultant will have the following deliverables. - A desk review on the prevailing orientation programmes and resources in the 12 participating institutions, identifying good and promising practices. - A questionnaire to be administered to students to collect their views on the orientation package and suggestions on how it could be improved (including topics to be covered, modalities to deliver the orientation week, strategies to reach all students) - An assessment report summarizing key findings from the desk review and questionnaire. The report should outline key thematic issues to be included in the resource package and suggest innovative modalities to deliver the orientation week with the objective to reach all first-year students. Long Description ---------------- - A package of resource materials with an instructional guide for reaching all first year students with critical CSE and SRH information during orientation. The materials should be adapted to be disseminated through a mobile application, university website, social media, WhatsApp bots. - A workshop organised for the validation and dissemination of the orientation package and programme (including preparation of the agenda and all related materials needed for the workshop). The workshop should involve the key representatives from the participating institutions responsible for the orientation week, O3 Plus Cluster Coordinators and students. - A workshop report capturing the key discussion points, lessons learned, opportunities and next steps **Reporting** The contract will be managed by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The consultant will be expected to provide an updated status in a written format on a weekly basis. Formal reporting is expected upon delivery of each deliverable. Additional reporting activities may be requested by UNESCO ROSA on a need basis. **Copyright, Patents and Other Proprietary Rights** All rights, including but not limited to title to property, copyright, trademark and patent; in any work produced by the consultant by virtue of his/her contract, shall be vested in UNESCO which alone shall hold all rights of use. **Timeline and duration** It is estimated that the consultancy shall not exceed 23 days and shall start by 15 August 2022; 1. Undertake a desk review and assessment of all relevant documents currently used for orientation week across the twelve O3 Plus participating institutions to fully understand the ground situation and existing orientation materials - 6 days 2. Develop a questionnaire to collect students’ views on the orientation package as well as suggestions on how it could be improved - 2 days 3. An assessment report summarizing key findings from the desk review and questionnaire and suggesting innovative modalities to deliver the orientation week with the objective to reach all first-year students - 2 days 4. Develop a standard orientation programme and package of resource materials with an instructional guide for reaching all first-year students during the orientation week. The materials should be adapted to be disseminated through a mobile application, university website, social media, WhatsApp bots - 9 days 5. Facilitate a stakeholder workshop for the validation and dissemination of the orientation package and programme - 2 days 6. A workshop report capturing the key discussion points, lessons learned, opportunities and next steps - 2 days **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- The candidate is expected to have the following qualifications and skills; - A minimum of a master’s degree in a related field (education, development or public health), a doctorate degree is an added advantage - At least 5 years’ experience in the field of education, youth development and mentorship, sexual and reproductive health and rights - Sound understanding of higher and tertiary education context supported by two references/examples - Proven experience of developing high quality, age appropriate, activity-based student materials, supported by two references/examples - Proven experience producing high quality reports for a wide range of stakeholders which include HTEIs, supported by two references/examples - Experience in organizing and conducting trainings and workshops - Excellent writing and communication skills **Desirable** - Previous experience to develop materials adapted for college students in relation to orientation activities The Consultant must have no prior involvement in the design, planning or implementation of the O3 PLUS project to avoid any potential conflict of interest **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. 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 will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **APPLICATION PROCESS continued** --------------------------------- In addition to the online application, all interested consultants are required to also submit, as sperate documents, a technical and financial proposal **separately** via email to The **technical proposal** shall be no more than 10 pages concisely presented and structured to include the following information: - Description of the steps that will be followed to undertake the work - Proposal of detailed workplan, including milestones for key deliverables. - Proposal of timeline - Information which the bidder considers confidential, if any, should be clearly marked as such. The Technical proposal will be evaluated on the basis of responsiveness to the requirements including: - The consultant’s experience and expertise that will be of benefit to the proposed assignment - Approach to task that demonstrates extent to which the bidder understands the requirements - Feasible and technically sound methodology, appropriate for fulfilling the overall objectives of the assignment - Realistic work plan with specific treatment of key deliverables - Qualifications and experience of the consultant - Quality of previous work sample The **financial proposal** should be no more than 2 pages and should detail: an appropriate Price Schedule which includes, as a minimum, the consultancy rate (in USD) and indication of which items may be negotiated, if applicable, or which items can be modified as per the budget. Full and final costing should include all taxes. In addition, **two sample reports** are to be submitted, and these will be assessed on quality, effectiveness of the presentation of findings and conclusions, amongst other key issues. **Performance monitoring** During the consultancy period the consultant will be evaluated on: - capacity to deliver products of an optimal technical quality within the agreed timelines; - proper and smooth project management (including communication with all stakeholders); - their service orientation and responsiveness to UNESCO’s needs and expectations. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.