International Consultancy for Capacity Development of primary school teachers on continuous assessment

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UNICEF Laos is seeking an Individual Consultant to provide technical assistance in capacity development of primary school teachers on formative assessment to improve student learning outcome and teaching practice. The duration of this assignment will be a period of 4 months, starting as soon as possible.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

TASK 1: SITUATION ANALYSIS OF EXISTING STUDENT ASSESSMENT IN LAO PDR.

The purpose of this exercise is to understand an overview of the current situation of the student learning assessment, especially formative assessment for primary education. The key focus is to identify key knowledge and skills that teachers will need to effectively apply the formative assessment to improve the quality of teaching and learning outcomes of all individual students as required in the curriculum. It will also review the alignment and consistency of the teacher capacity building with the other modalities of the in-service teacher education as well as the primary curriculum. This task will be done through a combination of remote and in-country based work.

1. (REMOTE) Conduct a desk review of relevant documents: all existing relevant student assessment policies and practice, school curriculum and other documents (review of student assessment system, draft assessment guidelines, students assessment framework for general education well as relevant progressive promotion guidelines, etc), relevant international literature on effective application of formative assessment at classroom and school level, teacher continuous professional development policies and practice with focus on alignment of the teacher capacity building in the learning assessment contents using cluster/school based modality, which is highly promoted in the Continuous Professional Development Decree. Such documents are to be provided by MOES/UNICEF as well as researched by the consultant. The consultant is expected to conduct the review of relevant document remotely and will be supported by remote initial consultations (via skype/tele conferences and emails) with MOES and UNICEF as necessary.

2. (REMOTE) Review the continuous assessment guidelines and associated training package which have been drafted by the MoES with technical support from BEQUAL, JICA and UNICEF for further field testing. To prepare for the materials revision, the consultant is requested to review the materials to propose key amendments of both key contents, knowledge and skills, including contextual relevance and applicability of the program, training delivery methods and to identify additional training resources, including Videos, participant handbook, etc.

3. (REMOTE) Review the field trial program and the pilot program. The training of teachers using the draft guidelines and training package will be field tested in a small number of schools (8 schools in 2 districts of 2 provinces). The results of the trial will be used for further revision of the training materials for proper pilot.

TASK 2: MONITOR AND DOCUMENT THE FIELD TESTING OF GUIDELINES AND TRAINING PROGRAM

Under this task, the consultant is requested to provide technical support to the MoES team to conduct, monitor and properly document the pilot process to ensure the reliable results that will inform further expansion and the national rollout in near future. The consultant is expected to conduct at least two 5 working days field monitoring visits.

The key activities under this task include:

1 (IN-COUNTRY) Based a result of the quick review, develop a pilot program, including its expected outcomes, pilot process, types of data collection to be collected, and monitoring tools, etc, as needed. The development is expected to be done with intensive participation of the MoES team.

2.. (IN-COUNTRY) Conduct field monitoring of the field trial using the agreed tools and process. During this monitoring process, the consultant is expected to collect relevant the data both quantitative and qualitative data/information on the progress results as necessary. The consultant will also document the process and progress update of the field trial, to be consolidated in the final report.

3. (REMOTELY)) Conduct data collection and data analysis of the field trial. The data (both quantitative and qualitative) will be collected by the MoES team and analysed by the consultant. The results will be included in the final documentation report.

TASK 3: REVISION OF THE CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES AND TEACHER TRAINING PACKAGE

Based on the results of the quick situation analysis and review of the continuous assessment guidelines and training package, the consultant will revise the draft materials through a participatory process, involving key relevant stakeholders from both government line departments and development partners. Hence, the consultant will be required to be in country for this task.

Key activities will include:

1. (IN-COUNTRY) Conduct a consultation workshop with different concerned departments, including Department of General Education, Department of Teacher Education, Research Institute for Education Sciences, Teacher Training College, sub-national and school representatives and other Development Partners, especially BEQUAL, JICA, other INGOs and cluster/school representatives to share the proposed amendments and recommendations and to seek feedback and recommendations for further revision of the draft guidelines and training package, including course outline, course materials and other relevant training resources.

2. (IN-COUNTRY) Based on results of the consultation workshop and progress report from the field monitoring, revise the draft guidelines and training package and develop additional training resources as required. The materials revision process is to be participatory, involving the MoES core team throughout the revision process. It is suggested that capacity building for the core team, who will become the key trainers for this program, is a critical part of the revision process. It is expected that at the end of the process, the MoES core team will understand the key contents of the training package and will be equipped with capacity to deliver the training course. It is expected that the capacity building exercise will be conducted in a form of workshop outside Vientiane; hence the consultant will take a 5 days field mission.

TASK 4: FINALIZATION OF THE CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES AND TRAINING PACKAGE, INCLUDING COURSE OUTLINE, TRAINING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES.

The finalization of the guidelines and training package will be informed by the field testing results at the end of the program. The consultant will do this task mostly remotely. The consultant will collect all necessary feedback during the field visit and reflection exercise, while he/she is in the country.

Key activities include:

1. (REMOTE) Conduct a consultation workshop to 1) share the results of the field testing results and gain more feedback from key stakeholders and the final draft of the guidelines and training package and 2) to seek for final feedback and agreement on the future training program. The results of this consultation workshop will be also used for producing the final report of the program.

2. (REMOTE) Based on the consultation results, finalize the guidelines and training package, including course outline, training materials and resources.

TASK 5: DEVELOPMENT OF ROLLOUT WORK PLAN AND PRODUCE FINAL REPORT OF THE FIELD TESTING

The consultant will perform this task remotely. Key activities under this task include:

1. (REMOTE) Produce the final report on the results of field testing (including key achievements/results, challenges and lessons learned) and the results from the consultation workshop conducted under activity 1 of task 4. The report should be user friendly with length of 25 pages maximum with an accompanying slide deck

2. (REMOTE) Develop work plan for the national rollout of the capacity of teachers and education personnel. The rollout work plan should Identify key objectives/outcomes, outline key activities and milestones, set up timeline, incorporate checkpoints with milestones for progress assessment.

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

• Masters degree in Education or related fields.
• Demonstrate of proven 8 years of work experience in the areas of student assessment, preferably curriculum based classroom assessment
• Demonstrate of proven experience in developing and delivery of in-service teacher training program
• Practical experience in classroom teaching practice, preferably in primary education
• Experience in training or workshop facilitation
• Ability to work in multi-cultural diversity and context. Experience in Lao PDR and South East Asia as asset.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, in English
• Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions

Assessment Criteria:

A) Technical Evaluation (e.g. maximum 70 Points)

The passing mark of the technical evaluation 55 points.

• Minimum Qualifications: Master in Education or related fields (10 points)

• Demonstrate of proven 8 years of work experience in the areas of student assessment, preferably curriculum based classroom assessment (15 points)

• Demonstrate of proven experience in developing and delivery of in-service teacher training program (15 points)

• Demonstrate research experience (10 points)

• Practical experience in classroom teaching practice, preferably in primary education (10 points)

• Ability to work in multi-cultural diversity and context. Experience in Lao PDR and South East Asia as asset (5 points.

• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, in English (5 points)

B) Financial Proposal

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 55 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 candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Submission of applications:

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 including travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.

Remark: "International applicants are eligible to apply."

Please find attached TOR here: Terms of Reference (Template)- for Individual consultant_formative assessment_VA.pdf

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 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.