Experts for the design of the training for primary school expert associates

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a right of all children and a global commitment recognized by the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goal 4 with the objective to ensure that all boys and girls have access to quality early childhood education and care by 2030. The Government of Serbia has recognized that quality Early Childhood Education and Care programs play a critical role in laying the necessary foundation for skills and competency development early on, and for narrowing the equity gap in accessing education access. The main strategic objectives defined in the Education Strategy 2030, include increasing access and quality of ECEC programs, provision of additional support to children and families in need, improvement of the monitoring, support to education transition and cooperation with different institutions and the wider community at the local level.

In order to strengthen the capacities of pre-schools for the implementation of the new pre-school curriculum framework (PCF), the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MoESTD) has, in cooperation with UNICEF, rolled out a comprehensive capacity building programme for 12,000 pre-school professionals (teachers, expert associates, and directors).

So far, more than 9,000 preschool professionals have participated in five-days training, mentoring support has been provided to 79 preschools, while the two models of horizontal exchange have been developed. Through this consultancy, a training for primary school expert-associates will be developed to ensure full understanding of the new concept of the Preschool Curricula Framework and to contribute to the smooth transition of children from preschools to primary schools. In line with the new PCF, the training materials should include topics on inclusion, non-discrimination and the important role preschool and primary school teachers play in addressing these issues from an early stage.

Work Assignment Overview:

Two consultants will be engaged to develop the content of the online training for expert-associates in primary schools, through consultations with the MoESTD, the Institute for Improvement of Education (IIE), the World Bank Project Implementation Unit (WB PIU), the Institute for Pedagogy and Andragogy (IPA), and the selected expert-associates from schools and preschools.

One of the consultants will have expertise in preschool education and the new PCF, while the other consultant will have expertise in primary school education and, in particular, with the ongoing curricular reform in the first cycle of primary education.

Duration of the assignment: November 2021 – February 2022 (part-time, up to 35 workdays)

Detailed task description:

Task 1: Develop a brief training concept based on the consultations with the main stakeholders:

• Conduct consultations with the MoESTD, WB PIU, IIE, IPA, selected preschool and school expert associates and UNICEF related to the content and technical aspects of the training;
• Develop a draft of the brief training concept based on the consultations with the main stakeholders;
• Develop a final training concept based on the feedback received from the involved stakeholders.

Task 2: Develop an online training in cooperation with the e-learning expert and train the moderators for its delivery:

• Based on the agreed training concept, develop the draft of the online training content and all relevant training materials in cooperation with the e-learning expert;
• Collect feedback from the MoESTD, WB PIU and UNICEF and finalize the training;
• Develop request for the accreditation of the training;
• Develop the instructions for the moderators and train the moderators for the implementation of the training.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Education, Pre-school Education, Early Childhood Development, Pedagogy, Psychology, Sociology, Special Pedagogy or other fields of Social Studies and Humanities.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in education policy and practice in Serbia.
• Excellent knowledge in the area/s of preschool and/or primary school curriculum reforms in the Republic of Serbia.
• Experience in development of training programme for education professionals.
• Computer skills (MS Office - Word, Power Point, Excel, Internet).
• Knowledge of digital learning tools.
• Fluency in Serbian language and knowledge of English language.

How to apply:

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

1. Daily rate (all costs included, e.g. usage of mobile phone).

Important notes:

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 and Accountability.

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.