Individual Consultant Quick assessment for the creation of the Digital Media Laboratory Consultant in São Tomé and Príncipe - for 45 days

Contract

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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, a champion

UNICEF and other partners, as part of the COVID-19 response plan, have been supporting the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe to find more innovative alternative approaches to ensure equitable access to quality education for all children. To ensure continuity of learning, both during the confinement phase and when schools reopened, the country has adopted mixed approaches (traditional face-to-face teaching and reinforcement of digital learning through TV and radio lessons, and the use of a digital platform). Meanwhile, the pandemic situation has created a challenge for the educational system seeking to provide more consistent and more resilient responses.

Sao Tome and Principe will develop an Educational Media Laboratory that will be piloted by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

To ensure a successful implementation of this intervention in education, São Tomé and Príncipe will develop a rapid assessment to verify the basic conditions of the country to allow the installation and dynamization of the Educational Media Laboratory.

How can you make a difference?

The objective of the mission is to support the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe through 1) the performance of a rapid assessment to analyze the country's technical and framework for the creation and implementation of an Educational Media Laboratory and the development of two costed proposals (minimum/ideal requirements) and 2) A costed capacity building plan

The UNICEF office in São Tomé and Príncipe is seeking to recruit an individual consultant to support the education sector in the rapid assessment for the creation and development of an Educational Media Laboratory. The consultant will support in the following defined tasks:

Part 1: Assessment

1. Identify and describe the personnel, specific skills, experience, facilities, equipment, and software that are needed to produce relevant distance learning programs and digital content for students and teachers in the context of São Tome and Principe.
2. Conduct an inventory of existing equipment, facilites, software, etc. for the production/Editions of distance learning content (digital/vídeo/radio).
3. Assess the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and other relevant structures in the country to produce relevant high quality and effective digital learning content and identify capacity gaps and staffing needs.
4. Based on the assessment, develop two cost proposals for the Educational Media Laboratory (one with minimum requirements, one with ideal requirements).

Part 2- Capacity development plan

Also propose the development of a customized capacity plan, which should include:

1. An explanation of how the proposal will address the needs identified in the assessment.
2. Training titles and descriptions.
3. Titles and descriptions of training or capacity building of technicians/teachers for the operation of the laboratory
4. Definition of the profile of the technical team according to the perspectives of each domain-area of knowledge and interest
5. A schedule and the duration and objectives of each training course.
6. A description of the methodology and assessment that will be used in each training.
7. The cost of each training course.

Estimated duration of the contract; Remuneration; Other Terms and Conditions

The consultancy will be full-time, for a period of 45 days from the date of signing the contract, which is expected to be in December 2021 and he/she will be based in São Tomé and Príncipe.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or part of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work / products:

• is incomplete,
• fails to meet UNICEF and government quality standards,
• is not delivered or has not met the deadlines
• fee reduction due to late shipping: 5 days - 10%, 15 days - 20%; 1 month - 50%; more than 1 month - payment withheld.

Work Assignment Overview

• Assess the capacity of the Ministry of Education (infrastructure conditions, human and material resources) to create and implement an Educational Media Laboratory
• Propose a training plan, (short, medium and long term).
• The final report includes all tasks defined in the evaluation process of this TOR.document including all needs.

1. Work conditions

• The consultant must have his own work equipment (computer, mobile phone, etc.).
• A UNICEF Office workspace will be made available to facilitate exchanges and internet connection.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their technical and financial evaluation offers (proposals must be submitted separately, to www.unicef.org/about/employ .

UNICEF does not provide or organize health insurance coverage for the consultant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced degree in education, information, evaluation, technology, statistics, communication, engineering, or other related fields. In place of a specific post-graduate academic degree.
• Or a bachelor degree in one of the following fields: education, information, evaluation, technology, statistics, communication, engineering, or other related fields combined with a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in assessment for the creation of the Digital Media Laboratory.
• Other relevant postgraduate courses that complement the main degree are a strong asset.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in technology services.
• Proven training and skills for a range of stakeholders.
• Experience working as an educator is an advantage.
• Experience managing user-oriented design processes in software development and support is a plus.
• Proven ability in evaluation study, management and quality control of illustration and animation services, recording.
• Knowledge, experience and advanced level in conducting studies, designing and implementing short, medium and long term professional training program packages and creative software packages
• Ability to deliver timely, high-quality results under tight deadlines
• Excellent coordination skills, and ability to follow instructions, oral and written communication skills, and ability to work under pressure as part of a team, or independently.
• The consultant must be comfortable in presentations and meetings with D-level (UN) or C-level (private sector) executives.
• Language requirement: Portuguese
• Working Knowledge of French or English will be an asset
• Other competencies: Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with partners;

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Application Submission

Interested applicants are requested to apply online and attach a technical proposal and a financial proposal:

Technical and Financial Proposal

The consultancy will be full-time, for a period of 45 days from the date of signing the contract, which is expected to be in November 2021 and he/she will be based in São Tomé and Príncipe.

I. The consultant must submit his/her technical and financial proposal at the time of application. Technical proposal:

• Technical proposal (minimum of 2 pages) which would include at least the following (applicants are strongly encouraged not to repeat the text of the Terms of Reference, but to demonstrate a critical understanding of it):

• Copy of your own CV and all qualifications

• Completed P11 form (United Nations CV format)

• Understanding the purpose of the assessment

• A proper conceptual framework and assessment methodology

• proposed deadlines

• Names and contact details of reference persons

• List of previous evaluation reports (if applicable)

• Any other additional information to support the application (optional).

II. Financial proposal:

The financial offer must be a standalone document (using Excel), which must be a lump sum including full details of the financial offer: daily rates, travel and daily subsistence allowances if applicable, communication fees and the other components of the financial offer.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their technical and financial offers (proposals must be submitted separately).

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.