Individual National Consultancy to support MoES in strengthening the continuity of student learning & the professional development of pedagogical advisors in Lao PDR

Contract

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UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children's rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

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, support

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an Individual National Consultancy to support MoES in strengthening the continuity of student learning & the professional development of pedagogical advisors in Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 11 months, starting from late August 2020 and completed by end of July 2021. Â The consultant will be working from the UNICEF Lao PDR Office in Vientiane Capital, but is expected to undertake regular visits to subnational levels (PESS and DESB) and schools. The consultant will be provided with workspace in the UNICEF Lao PDR Office and as needed may also be based at the MoES from time to time. The consultant is expected to use his/her own computer for the duration of the assignment.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The national consultant will work together with the UNICEF Lao PDR Education Team to support MoES in the implementation of the following activities:

Teaching and Learning Platform

The consultant will support the development and implementation of the Teaching and Learning Platform by curating and contextualising existing teaching and learning resources, as well as supporting the development of new materials. This includes supporting UNICEF and MoES in:

• • Curating key curriculum materials and complementary learning resources (i.e. paper-based materials, video’s, online games, etc.) developed in Lao PDR and in other countries to enhance the learning experiences of students. This may include contextualising and supporting the translation of resources developed in other countries and other Lao PDR-based development partners.
  • Designing of ICT enabled, interesting and stimulating learning experiences (lessons) that support students in the learning of the national curriculum.
  • Curating professional development materials for a) teachers, b) principals and c) pedagogical advisors in Lao PDR. This includes curating from existing resources in Lao PDR but also internationally.
  • Curating learning resources that aim to support parents and families in facilitating the learning of their children, in particular during school closures at times of emergencies.
  • Coordinating with the concerned MoES line departments to identify, develop, finalize and approve contents to be uploaded to the Teaching and Learning Platform.
  • Coordinating with and supporting the UNICEF ICT in Education Consultant(s) and MoES in the uploading of teaching and learning resources to the Platform. The consultant is to support the quality assurance of all uploads from a user perspective.

Strengthening the Primary Education Pedagogical Advisory System

The consultant is to support the strengthening of the primary education pedagogical advisory system and in particular support the professional development of pedagogical advisors. This includes supporting UNICEF and MoES in:

• • Implementing and monitoring of the Pedagogical Advisor Upgrading Programme. This includes processing of financial requests and liquidations by MoES, participating in selected training activities and drafting of monitoring reports.
  • Implementing a demand-driven pedagogical advisory support system, including cluster based/school based that is informed by school self-assessment and development planning against the MoES Fundamental Quality Standards and data collected through classroom observations. This includes processing of MoES financial requests and liquidations, supporting the planning and implementation of activities, participation in field visits and drafting of monitoring reports.
  • Supporting the development and implementation of a select number of short, blended learning (i.e. face-to-face and online learning) professional development courses for pedagogical advisors that will be conducted by the Teacher Training Colleges in the country.
  • Coordinating with MoES, PESS (Provincial Education and Sport Service), DESB (District Education and Sports Bureau) and development partners on the activities above.
  • Provide technical translation and interpretation between English and Lao as needed.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will need to have:

• A university degree in education or any related field.
• At least three years of experience working in the education sector and solid understanding of the education development context in Lao PDR, including key MoES personnel and/or education development partners.
• At least three years of experience in area of curriculum development and implementation and/or supporting the professional development of teachers and other education staff.
• Excellent knowledge of Lao culture and language and the ability to adapt learning activities to suit the educational levels and knowledge/capacities of Lao families and children, including those in rural or remote areas.
• Excellent planning and facilitation skills;
• Ability to research, analyze and present complex information;
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills;
• Good command of English and Lao language.
• Adaptable and flexible in their working approach.

1. Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit applications electronically and include the following documents:

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)

Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost as per the work assignment.

2. Assessment Criteria:

As part of the evaluation and selection, a Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment. This involves assessment of

a) Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %

• Relevant education/degree (30 points)
• Experience working in the education sector in Lao PDR (40 points)
• Fluency in both English and Lao languages (30 points)

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview, if required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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