Individual Consultant (Non Staff), CapED-Lao PDR

Consultant

Overview

Conduct a participatory mid-term evaluation of the early childhood education curriculum implementation.

You have:

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in education, particularly in early childhood education, teacher education/training, and assessment and evaluation.
• Excellent command in spoken and written English. Knowledge of the Lao language will be an advantage.
• Excellent digital literacy skills with proficiency in the use of online tools, instruments and platforms.
• Advanced university degree in education, teacher training, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields.
• Knowledge of the general education systems and the teacher education systems in Lao PDR.

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station: Bangkok 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) : 16-Nov-2020 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** **Background and Rationale:** The “Capacity Development for Education (CapED) in Lao PDR: Capacity Development Support for Teacher Education in Lao PDR” is a UNESCO Bangkok Office’s follow-up programme to the Capacity Development for Education for All (CapEFA) in Lao PDR, Phase II (2012-2016). Launched in 2017, the CapED programme is aimed at strengthening individual and institutional capacities to enhance the quality of pre-service and in-service teacher training, with a view to improving the quality of the teaching force of basic education, from early childhood to secondary education in Lao PDR. The Government of Lao PDR is committed to providing quality early childhood education services, following the growing awareness of the importance of the holistic early childhood development. According to the 2015 Revised Education Law, early childhood care and education is offered in crèches for children from 3 months to less than 3 years old. For children from 3 to 6 years old, three types of early childhood education programmes are offered in (i) kindergarten, (ii) pre-primary classes, and (iii) community-based school readiness programmes (play-based learning groups). The responsibilities for preparing early childhood teachers fall upon the Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs), under the supervision of the Department of Teacher Education (DTE), Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). Before 2012, TTCs in Lao PDR only offered early childhood teacher education programmes at Diploma and Advanced Certificate levels. During Phase II of the CapEFA programme, UNESCO Bangkok Office supported the development of the first-ever four-year programme for the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education (B.Ed. in ECE). The B.Ed. programme was first launched in Dongkhamxang TTC in the academic year 2013/2014, followed by Luangnamtha and Salavan TTCs in the academic year 2014/2015, Savanhnakhet TTC in the academic year 2015/2016, and Luangprabang, Bankeun, and Pakse TTCs in the academic year 2016/2017. To date, there are over 1,500 student teachers enrolled in the B.Ed. in ECE programme in the seven aforementioned TTCs. Upon the completion of the first cycle of the B.Ed. in ECE programme in Dongkhamxang TTC, UNESCO Bangkok Office carried out an evaluation of the curriculum involving both graduates and current student teachers during November and December 2017. The findings of the evaluation reflected the areas for improvements, with a view to accomplishing its goals and objectives to prepare effective and qualified early childhood teachers. In accordance with the findings, the MoES appointed a taskforce responsible for carrying out a revision of the curriculum for the B.Ed. in ECE, to improve the quality of the programme and ensure that it aligns with the 2012 national early childhood education curriculum, developed by the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES). The taskforce, with technical guidance and support from UNESCO Consultant, carried out the revision of the curriculum during April and July 2018. Upon endorsement, the revised curriculum was firstly adopted for the academic year 2018/2019 in Dongkhamxang and Saravan TTCs. In the following academic year 2019/2020, two more TTCs, namely Luangnamtha and Suvanhnakhet, enrolled new student teachers in this revised programme. Long Description To ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of the revised curriculum (2018), a mid-term evaluation is necessary. In view of this, UNESCO Bangkok Office, in collaboration with the Department of Teacher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, will be conducting a mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the revised 4-year early childhood teacher education curriculum for pre-service teachers in four TTCs, namely Dongkhamxang, Luangnamtha, Salavan and Savanhnakhet TTCs. The results of the evaluation will help determine the areas that need to be changed or improved so that the revised curriculum can accomplish its goals and objectives. The results will also help the aforementioned TTCs to offer effective and practical early childhood teacher education curriculum, and can share their experience in curriculum implementation with other TTCs. **Evaluation Objectives:** The overall objective is to evaluate the quality and extent of implementation of the revised curriculum for the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education (B.Ed. in ECE) programme in targeted teacher training colleges in Lao PDR. Specifically, the evaluation aims to: 1. Identify strengths and challenges in the processes of curriculum implementation; and 2. Make recommendations for continuous curriculum adjustments to support future curriculum implementation. Long Description **Assignment and Work Objectives:** - To conduct a participatory mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the revised curriculum for the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education (B.Ed. in ECE) programme in four teacher training colleges in Lao PDR The individual consultant will perform the tasks under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, Bangkok, and the direct supervisions of the Acting Chief of Section for Inclusive Quality Education (IQE), specifically; the individual consultant shall perform the following assignments: **(1) Rapid review of relevant documents** – Communicate with relevant officials of the Department of Teacher Education (DTE), Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), and the focal persons of four teacher training colleges (TTCs), namely Dongkhamxang, Luangnamtha, Salavan, and Savanhnakhet TTCs, in order to gather necessary documents, such as the revised early childhood teacher education curriculum (2018), the national early childhood education curriculum, a list of teaching and learning materials/contents used in the courses, the results of formative and summative evaluation of the curriculum in each TTC, etc. for a rapid review. Contact details of relevant contact persons in Lao PDR will be provided by UNESCO Bangkok Office; **(2) Development of evaluation framework** – After a rapid review of relevant documents, develop a detailed evaluation framework including the scope of the evaluation, methodologies/methods, sample size, step-by-step procedures, etc. The evaluation scope should include, but not limit to, education management, teaching and learning process, assessment and evaluation, teaching-learning materials and resources, and quality of learners. The methodologies/methods should take into consideration the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, e.g. considering the use of online platforms. The evaluation framework should be submitted to UNESCO Bangkok Office for review ***by 30 November 2020***; **(3) Development of evaluation work plan** – Develop an evaluation work plan, in close consultation with the four aforementioned TTCs, the Department of Teacher Education, and UNESCO Bangkok Office. The tentative evaluation work plan should be submitted to UNESCO for review ***by 15 December 2020***; **(4) Development of evaluation instruments:** - In line with the approved evaluation framework, develop a set of evaluation instruments to collect data, such as online questionnaires, guidelines for interviews or focus group discussions via online platforms, etc. The instructions in all instruments should be clearly stated. The evaluation instruments should be submitted to UNESCO Bangkok Office ***by 7 January 2021***; - Revise the evaluation instruments based on comments and suggestions from UNESCO Bangkok Office; - Translate or have finalized instruments translated into the Lao language, and validated to ensure clarity of language; **(5) Data collection** – Conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the revised curriculum for the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education (B.Ed. in ECE) programme in the four aforementioned TTCs via appropriate online platforms. This includes, but not limited to, administering online questionnaires, conducting online interviews and online focus group discussions, etc.; **(6) Data compilation and analysis** – Compile and analyze data from the evaluation, identify strengths and challenges in the curriculum implementation processes, draw conclusions and propose recommendations for the improvement of future curriculum implementation; **(7) Preparation of evaluation report and presentation**: - Prepare a draft evaluation report and submit it to UNESCO Bangkok Office for review ***by 5 February 2021***; - Revise the draft evaluation report based on comments and suggestions from UNESCO Bangkok Office, and submit it for final review ***by 15 February 2021***; - Finalize the evaluation report based on final comments and suggestions from UNESCO Bangkok Office ***by 26 February 2021***; - Prepare a presentation file, preferably in PowerPoint format, highlighting key findings of the evaluation and the recommendations for the improvement of future curriculum implementation ***by 26 February 2021***. The presentation will be delivered by the Department of Teacher Education, MoES or UNESCO Bangkok Office to disseminate the results to target audience in Lao PDR at a later stage. *In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Individual Consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.* **Deliverables and Timeframe:** All deliverables shall be submitted to UNESCO Bangkok Office in English. Feedback from UNESCO Bangkok Office will be provided to the individual consultant within one week from the submission date of each deliverable. Overall supervision and technical guidance will be provided by UNESCO Bangkok Office staff, through regular communication by distance (via email, Skype, phone). To the extent possible, the consultant shall reflect comments and suggested modifications. The assignment should be carried out during the period from 26 November 2020 to 26 February 2021. The individual consultant is expected to submit the following deliverables to UNESCO Bangkok Office. 1. A draft evaluation framework ***by 30 November 2020***; 2. An agreed evaluation work plan and a set of draft evaluation instruments ***by 7 January 2021***; 3. A draft evaluation report ***by 5 February 2021***; 4. Final evaluation report and a presentation of key findings and recommendations ***by 26 February 2021*** **Travel clause**: The individual consultant will not be required to travel on mission during the assignment. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** - A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in education, particularly in early childhood education, teacher education/training, and assessment and evaluation; - Excellent command in spoken and written English. Knowledge of the Lao language will be advantage; - Excellent digital literacy skills with proficiency in the use of online tools, instruments and platforms; - Advanced university degree in education, teacher training, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields; - Knowledge of the general education systems and the teacher education systems in Lao PDR. **SELECTION AND APPLICATION PROCESS** **How to apply:** Interested individuals are invited to submit to UNESCO Bangkok Office the specific requirements as below: - An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work - An outline of the proposed evaluation framework with estimated budget (2-3 pages) Please email them to **[email protected]** **Assessment**: Shortlisted candidates will be requested for an interview. UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money. **Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.** **Footer** UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) 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.

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Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.unesco.org