Individual International Consultancy to Support Introduction of Competency-Based Education in Turkmenistan

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, quality and inclusive education

Turkmenistan’s on-going education sector reform, aimed at continuity and enhanced quality of education in line with the international standards and SDG 4 commitments, is a key state priority. The revised Law of Turkmenistan on Education (2021) defines learning as the process of purposeful mastery of knowledge, skills, and competences, development of abilities, acquisition of experience in applying knowledge in everyday life and the formation of a person's deep motivation to receive education and improve professional qualifications throughout life. It also states that general education programs are aimed at acquiring knowledge, abilities, skills, and competences that contribute to the formation of a general culture of the individual, her/his adaptation to life in society, continuing education at the subsequent level of education, creating conditions for a conscious choice of professional educational programs. Furthermore, UNICEF Education Strategy 2019-2030 defines improved learning and skills development as a strategic goal. The strategic intersection of national and UNICEF goals provides a unique opportunity to improve learning inputs for children of Turkmenistan.

In support of the above priority, the Government of Turkmenistan – UNICEF country programme document for 2021-2025 prioritizes strengthening continuity and quality of education in line with the international standards which also includes a specific emphasis on promoting competency-based education (CBE) approach in education. UNICEF’s technical support to the Ministry of Education (MoE) for a comprehensive review of the existing curricula and teaching methods in primary and secondary education in 2020 resulted in elaboration of a set of recommendations towards development of competency-based education system in Turkmenistan. The recommendations proposed specific actions to reform quality aspects in education including state education standards and curriculum, instructional materials, inclusive teaching and learning methodologies as well as learning outcome measurement system towards the best international standards and benchmarks. In 2021, in the framework of the competency-based education roadmap UNICEF provided technical support to the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, pedagogical institutes and colleges of Turkmenistan to deliver foundational capacity development for the key education stakeholders and core group of education professionals to further lead the work on the competency-based curriculum in the country.

In 2022 UNICEF is planning to continue the implementation of the CBE roadmap which includes pilot curriculum development, piloting CBE-based lesson plans and teaching materials and assessing teacher-training programs in Turkmenistan. International and national expertise will be mobilized to conduct these activities.

With this advertisement, UNICEF is seeking international expertise to support the Ministry of Education and UNICEF in pilot curriculum development for secondary school subjects for grades 5-12 (“Mathematics”, “English language”, “Turkmen language”) and assessment of pre-service and in-service teacher training programs in Turkmenistan applying the competency-based education approach.

How can you make a difference?

This assignment has two main objectives. First, it will provide support to drafting of competency-based education curricula and development of classroom teaching materials for selected lessons in “Mathematics”, “Turkmen language”, and “English language” subjects for grades 5-12 in secondary schools. The developed materials will be piloted in schools selected by MoE and serve as foundation for scaling up of curriculum development based on CBE.

Second, the consultancy will support assessment of pre-service and in-service teacher training programs and preparing recommendations for development of pre-service and in-service teacher training programs based on competency-based education principles. The results of the assessment will serve as foundation for development of teacher training programs based on CBE.

The international consultant will work in a Working Group consisting of specialists of the Ministry of Education, UNICEF Education Specialist, national consultants, and provide quality-assurance, guidance, and lead expertise support to the Working Group to ensure that the developed materials meet content, structure, and quality requirements of CBE in accordance with international best practices.

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

• Advanced university degree in Education, Pedagogy, Curriculum Development, Social Sciences, or relevant disciplines / A PhD degree in relevant fields will be an asset.
• At least 10 years of professional international work experience in education curricula, teacher training, course development and curricula reviews/ assessments.
• Knowledge of and excellent communication skills in English; knowledge of Russian and/or Turkmen will be an asset.
• Knowledge of UNICEF priorities in education; previous experience of working with UNICEF will be an asset.
• Knowledge of the regional (Central Asia) and national education sector; previous experience of working in Turkmenistan will be an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA). To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

For details of the consultancy requirements, please see the Terms of Reference attached as per the link below:

ToR_International-Consultant-Competency-based-education.pdf