Individual national consultant to adapt and integrate the Basic Life Skills programme into curriculum of general secondary schools with UNICEF in Uzbekistan

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

In cooperation with the Republican Center of Professional Orientation and Psychological Diagnostics of Pupils (Tashxis Center) under the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan, UNICEF has customized and piloted the Basic Life Skills (BLS) Program for adolescents aged 14-18 years old. The program targets to equip adolescents with socio-emotional skills such as self-awareness, communication and thinking skills. It was piloted in 26 general secondary schools, including 15 schools in Karakalpakstan (Muynak, Kungrad and Bozatau districts), 9 schools in Tashkent city and 2 Republican educational correctional institutions (closed institutions).

Assessment of the pilot demonstrated that both school psychologists and schoolchildren find the programme useful and impactful. Adolescents commented on improved interpersonal relations with parents and peers, psychologists – on improved discipline and relations in pilot classes. All pilot participants highly recommended introduction of the BLS programme into school curriculum. UNICEF agreed with Tashkhis on further steps for phased introduction of the customized the Basic Life Skills Program in all schools of Uzbekistan. The Basic Life Skills Program will become one of the programs to be applied by school psychologists during weekly ‘psychologists’ hour’ in a school curriculum. In this context, UNICEF is seeking for the services of a national consultant to provide technical expertise in supporting Tashxis Center to integrate the program into school curriculum, starting with 4 regions, in 2022-2023 academic year.

Purpose

The purpose of the current consultancy is to provide technical support to the Republican Center of Professional Orientation and Psychological Diagnostics of Pupils under the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan in integrating the Basic Life Skills Program for adolescents (including vulnerable groups) in general secondary schools in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm region, Tashkent city and Tashkent region.

Scope of work

The national consultant is expected to support Tashxis Center in undertaking the following tasks:

1. Adapting the Basic Life Skills curriculum for 45-minutes school lessons (not less than 16 lessons).
2. Сonducting ToT for school psychologists/master trainers from Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city on andragogy and the BLS programme.
3. Monitoring and supervising ToTs conducted by master trainers in remaining schools of Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city, as well as in Khorezm and Tashkent regions.

Timeline and Deliverables

The deliverables are expected to be prepared within 8 months during the period from 15 July 2022 to 15 March 2023.

1. Adapting the Basic Life Skills curriculum for 45-munites school lessons

Tasks and Timeframe

1.1. Revise the BLS lesson plans with consideration of the 45-minutes duration of the school lessons (not less than 16 lessons) by 10 August 2022

1.2. Develop presentations, teaching and learning materials for each lesson by 10 August 2022

Deliverables

1.1. Revised curriculum for each lesson

1.2. Presentations, tasks and handouts for each lesson

2. Сonducting ToT for school psychologists/master trainers from Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city on andragogy and the BLS programme

Tasks and Timeframe

2.1. Develop the ToT agenda, teaching and learning materials on andragogy and BLS program by 15 August 2022;

2.2. Conduct 4-days training of trainers (TOT) on student-centered and interactive teaching approaches and delivering of the Basic Life Skills Program for the group of master trainers – school psychologists participated in the pilot of the program in Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city by September 2022;

2.3. Develop and deliver at least three presentations on the Basic Life Skills Program among stakeholders and school teachers and psychologists by March 2023

Deliverables:

2.1 TOT agenda, handouts and materials

2.2 At least 15 master trainers have capacity to deliver ToT for school psychologists in the selected regions; Training report

2.3 Power point presentation and handouts

3. Monitoring and supervising ToTs conducted by master trainers in remaining schools of Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city, as well as in Khorezm and Tashkent regions.

Tasks and Timeframe

3.1. Monitor and guide conducting the roll out trainings on the BLS Programme in remaining schools in Karakalpstan and Tashkent city, as well as in schools of Khorezm and Tashkent regions by March 2023

Deliverables

3.1 Report on monitoring the roll out of the trainings; Recommendations for integration of the programme in other regions of Uzbekistan.

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

• Advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in psychology, pedagogy or other related social sciences.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in field of psychology or pedagogy (verified by records of work experience).
• Knowledge of child and adolescent psychology, child development and child rights (verified by records of work experience in carrying out at least three assignments related to child psychology and child rights).
• Experience in conducting research and assessments in field of social sciences (verified by records of work experience in carrying out at least two assignments related to research).
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills (verified by examination of evidence from previous assignment deliverables).
• Experience in developing training programs for adolescents and youth (verified by records of work experience in developing at least two training programs).
• Experience in conducting trainings/workshops, including for children (verified by records of work experiences in carrying out at least three trainings/workshops).
• Excellent presentation and communication skills (verified by records of work experience in delivering speeches or presentations).
• Excellent written and spoken command of Uzbek and Russian (verified by examination of previous written work and interviews).
• Good written and spoken command in English is an asset (verified by examination of previous written work and interviews).

Management

The consultant will work under direct supervision of the Youth and Adolescence Development Officer and Child Protection Officer.

Payment The consultant will be paid by instalments upon completion of the deliverables certified by the Youth and Adolescents Development Officer and the Child Protection Officer in line with the following schedule:

Deliverables Instalment Deliverables 1, tasks 1.1-1.2 Instalment #1: 30% Deliverable 2, tasks 2.1 -2.3 Instalment #2: 40% Deliverable 3, task 3.1 Instalment #3: 30%

All required travel expenses within consultancy will be covered by UNICEF according to its procedures (transport fares, terminal, DSA).

Reservations

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copyright of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.