International Consultancy for technical assistance to develop and support the implementation of a digital methodology course for pre-service and in-service training of teachers in Abkhazia

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, Education

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF has been actively engaged in education related activities to strengthen the quality of education in Abkhazia. Building on this success and aiming to expand the program to include pre-service teachers, UNICEF conducted a series of general introductory Student-Centered Instructions (SCI) trainings for the students and teachers of Abkhaz State University (ASU) throughout 2017. In 2018, UNICEF conducted an assessment of the teaching instruction methodologies of those students of Abkhaz State University, who will become schoolteachers. According to the assessment and discussions with local stakeholders, there was an expressed need for all persons to be properly trained before entering the teaching profession. However, the University does not provide a comprehensive teaching and methodological program for subject teachers, having limited the teaching methodology course hours to the minimum.

Based on the assessment, a methodology course on Applied Pedagogy for pre-service training of future teachers was developed and introduced at the Pedagogy Department of ASU. According to the assessment and feedback received from the local stakeholders, there is also a need to widen access to the developed teaching materials and programs to allow for in-service training of teachers.

Previous assessments carried out by UNICEF International Consultants showed that the best solution would be to introduce a blended version of the course that would combine online modules with face-to-face sessions and supervisions conducted on the basis of Teacher Recourse Centers and is moderated with a local tutor/facilitator supporting the online delivery synchronous with live sessions between tutors and participants.

In December 2020, an international consultant was recruited to support the development of the program and content of the blended course on Applied Pedagogy, revise and modify the existing materials and provide external couching of local tutor(s) that will be facilitating the face-to-face sessions of the online Applied pedagogy course. The pilot online course was conducted by a group of local facilitators trained by UNICEF international consultant. Upon the completion of the pilot recommendations were made for further improvement of the course programme and structure. The full-fledged blended course is planned to be launched in October 2021 and will be facilitated by trained local experts.

UNICEF therefore is planning to recruit an international consultant to provide technical assistance to its Sukhumi Field Office in Abkhazia in overseeing the second phase of the course launch and adaptation of the previously developed course for teachers on applied pedagogy. This activity will include overseeing and supervision of the work done by local experts in adaptation of the course to regular teachers throughout Abkhazia.

Scope of Work:

UNICEF seeks to engage an international expert to provide technical assistance to UNICEF FO in supervising local experts in their process of launching blended digital Applied Pedagogy course for regular schoolteachers in Abkhazia.

The consultancy activities will be carried out between September 2021 and March 2022, with possible extension as needed, and will be implemented from home. During the work from home, the consultant will use email, Skype and telephone for regular communication with UNICEF Sukhumi Field Office and supervisor.

The payment will be prorated based on actually utilized working hours from the agreed daily rate, with 8 hours constituting a working day. The maximum total number of full working days will be 13, while the actual working period very likely can stretch beyond the timeframe of 13 calendar days.

Depending on further progress in UNICEF's consultations with relevant decision, as well as with interested donors, the consultancy might be extended and amended to include additional tasks and deliverables in line with those established in this TOR.

Duration: From 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022; 13 Working days.

Location: Home based.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline:

Supervision to the local experts that will be facilitating the course

Join remotely and have reflection sessions with teachers delivering the course. Provide practical advice, additional support and information

15.10.2021 – 31.03.2022

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Advanced university degree in Education;

• At least 8 years of work experience in the area of education, experience in countries of the former Soviet Union is an asset;
• Work experience in education in conflict-affected areas;
• Proven experience in teachers training on student-centered teaching methodologies and on life skills education, as well as in training teacher trainers (ToTs);
• Knowledge and experience with digital training approaches;
• Demonstrated knowledge in developing program for digital learning programs;
• Excellent English language skills and at least working knowledge of Russian language;
• Very good analytical and organizational skills;
• Very good knowledge of child's rights;
• Familiarity with UNICEF's work in the area of education;
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; ability to work with minimum supervision in a multi-national environment with team members from different cultural backgrounds.
• Good knowledge and use of Microsoft package for remote work.

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.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.