International Consultancy to support in stocktaking exercise of Competency Based Education (CBE) reform, and technical support across teacher professional development, assessment and curric

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

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The salary for this job should be between 130,087 USD and 167,720 USD.

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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,

Background: With 70% of population being youth under 30, Tajikistan is at the early stage of demographic dividend, yet, is not able to benefit from it for economic growth and development. Despite increased access to education, children and adolescents are failing to improve learning and skills for life and work. Quality and relevance of learning opportunities is a key concern for all students, particularly for girls. Comparable data on learning outcomes is missing due to lack of standardized national assessment and the minimal participation of the Republic of Tajikistan in international assessments. In this regard, low qualifications of teachers particularly in relation to active teaching methods, ICT and promotion of 21st century skills constitute a major challenge along with lack of conducive learning environments. This stocktaking exercise is part of larger joint project funded by GPE and IsDB, which will contribute to the realization of the SDG-4 goals to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities, as included in the National Development Strategy until 2030 and National Education Development Strategy until 2030.

How can you make a difference? PURPOSE: The purpose of this assignment is to support the development of staking exercise as well as provision of technical policy support to the development of roadmap on CBE implementation, including the designing of technical specifications for undertaking two interrelated streams of the IsDB/GPE Project such as (i) support to curricula reforms and the roll-out of the new curricula; and (ii) support for learning assessment that is of direct feedback into the teaching and learning processes, (iii) provide hand holding support to locally recruited consultants in provision of technical dialogue with MoES and Development Partners including the development of a detailed roll-out plan for operationalization of the tasks expected under IsDB/GPE project.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

Phase 1 - Stocktaking exercise of CBE Reform including roadmap development with recommendations for general basic education (total of 25 days - 15 days remote and 10 days in-country).

1. Develop set of methodology and tools for data collection including key technical questions to be addressed through the CBE stocktaking exercise.
2. Revise existing approaches/programmes/documents developed within the framework of CBE Reform implemented by MoES jointly with Development Partners. This includes review of National Education Strategy 2021-2030 including Result Framework and MTEAP 2021-2023 to ensure alignment with CBE overall approach and national vision;
3. Conduct stakeholder's analysis in relation of CBE reform including conducting meetings with relevant stakeholders (MoES and Development Partners) to define challenges and opportunities of CBE reform as per identified priority areas;
4. Coordinate with national consultant appointed by UNICEF to facilitate collection of data related to CBE reform both at central and district level;
5. Prepare a comprehensive report on the CBE stocktaking with review of implemented activities. As part of stock-taking exercise develop a set of recommendations ensuring a roadmap for cohesion all reform elements (curriculum, teachers, assessment) informing future interventions by the government and development partners.
6. Facilitate presentations in forms of Power Point Presentation of draft inception and final report to Development Partners (within sector coordination meetings) to collect inputs and feedback to be incorporated into final report.

Phase 2 -Technical support for developing project baselines and technical specifications for achieving project objectives related to in-classroom teacher support, textbook/syllabus revision standards (math and language), and assessment (60 days - 50 days remote and 10 days in-country).

7. Review technical requirements and indicators under Project Action Document - IsDB/GPE Project for Support to Implementation of the National Education Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan with a view to define terms of reference and methodologies to support in-classroom teacher support, curriculum review and formative assessment incorporating CBE principles and up-to-date standards;
8. Provide technical support in the review of up-to-date detailed operational plan of the project incorporating new developed requirements related to UNICEF support to digitally enabled learning as part of COVID-19 Education Response;
9. Conduct consultation exercises with Development Partners and MoES relevant staff to define methodology and approaches in relation to different streams of project operationalization to be implemented by UNICEF both in Dushanbe and Khatlon as pilot region;
10. Develop harmonized tools and methodology to be used for the baseline, mid-line, and end-line studies to be conducted by independent research bodies within the framework of the project.
11. Conduct TOTs of national expertise appointed by UNICEF in conducting baseline studies;
12. Provide technical support and review of developed baseline studies to be conducted by national expertise (e.g. national university and MoES institutes);
13. Facilitate presentations and technical feedback within framework of Local Education Group as related to UNICEF supported components under ISDB/GPE project implementation.

KEY DELIVERABLES and PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

#

Activity

Delivery Date

Format

Phase 1.Stocktaking exercise of CBE Reform including roadmap development with recommendations for general basic education

1

Develop methodology and tools for data collection including facilitation of consultation from development partners within Local Education Group

30 November 2020

Final inception report including methodology and tools for stocktaking exercise developed incorporating feedback from UNICEF and Development Partners

2

Conduct stakeholder analysis including conducting meetings with relevant stakeholders and ensuring coordination of national consultants (to be appointed by UNICEF)

22 December 2020

Meetings facilitation, minutes and developed tools for data collection.

3

Prepare a comprehensive report on the CBE stocktaking exercise with recommendations to MoEs and Development Partners for CBE RoadMap

30 January 2021

Final CBE Stocktaking Report incorporating comments from UNICEF and Development Partners

Phase 2 - Technical support for developing project baselines and technical specifications for achieving project objectives related to in-classroom teacher support, textbook/syllabus revision standards (math and language), and assessment to be informed by and conducted in conjunction with phase.

4

Develop harmonized tools and methodology to be used for the baseline, mid-line, and end-line studies to be conducted by MoES together with independent research body within the framework of the project: i.e. this includes harmonization of a.) baseline study on classroom practice; b.) baseline on textbooks quality in selected subjects; and c.) baseline in IE practices at classroom level

30 February 2021

Developed tools and methodology incorporating comments from UNICEF and Development Partners

5

Conduct TOTs of national expertise appointed by UNICEF for conducting baseline studies in selected schools;

15 March 2021

TOT workshops and trainings

6

Development of technical TORs and methodologies towards GPE/IsDB project component related to in-classroom teacher support; subject standards revisions and technical support; formative and summative assessment;

15 April 2021

Developed TORs including consultation facilitated and documented from MoES (central and district level), UNICEF and Development Partners

7

Final report highlighting facilitation of policy support and technical advice to MoES and LEG supporting technical implementation of project including review of baseline reports

15 June 2021

Final report with developed tools incorporating feedback from UNICEF

Upon completion of the deliverables, the following documents shall be developed and submitted UNICEF in soft copy:

• Inception report for CBE stocktaking and roadmap development (English and Russian);
• Final report for CBE stocktaking and roadmap recommendations (English and Russian);
• Methodology and tools (in forms of ppt) for project baselines related to (a.) baseline study on classroom practice; b.) baseline on textbooks quality in selected subjects; and c.) baseline in IE practices at classroom level) (English and Russian);
• TORs for implementation of: a.) teacher professional development model; b.) subject standards revision; and c.) technical support in formative and summative assessment (English);
• Revision of baseline reports to be developed by national partners (appointed by UNICEF) (English and Russian); brief report on consultancy period (English);

Note: Due to COVID 19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation. Payment schedule: 1st instalment 10% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 1; 2nd instalment 10% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 2; 3rd instalment 10% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 3; 4th instalment 20% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 4; 5th instalment 10% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 5; 6th instalment 20% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 6; 7th instalment 20% - upon completion and UNICEF approval of the deliverable 7; Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 85 working days spread over a period ranging from December 2020 till July 2021.Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Field Missions/Travel: The consultant will have two-time travel (maximum of 10 working days each excluding the travel days) to the country. UNICEF will be responsible for arranging meetings with Government stakeholders for convening consultation events with local Implementing Partners, interpretation/translation services to be provided when needed. Travel plans to be pre-approved/ agreed by UNICEF Tajikistan. Travel paid for by UNICEF shall be based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Supervision: The consultant will work under the technical guidance of UNICEF Chief Education and the day-to-day supervision of the Education Specialist in charge of quality learning. Reporting to**: Chief, Learning, UNICEF Tajikistan.

Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations. Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below.

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information.

Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings (link to be provided).

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have: Education: Advanced University Degree on Social Science and/or Education. Work Experience: At least 10 years of productive work experience in the area of competency-based education with demonstrated experience of senior policy advice in areas related to teacher professional development, curriculum reform and assessment. Competencies: Excellent analytical thinking and strategic planning skills; Experience in provision of trainings and developing methodologies for quantitative and qualitative research in education. Past experience of working with UNICEF education. Technical Knowledge: Proven ability to provide policy support and recommendations to education sector CBE reform, Knowledge of Tajikistan Country Context including UNICEF and Development Partners interventions considered as an asset, excellent writing skills, oral communication skills and facilitation skills and ability to work under commitment to work to tight timeframe. Language: Fluency in English and Russian.

EVALUATION PROCESS: Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in USD per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in USD.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least 2 References

Queries can be sent to: tad-procurement@unicef.org with subject line "International Consultancy to support the Ministry of Education and Science in stocktaking exercise of national Competency Based Education (CBE) reform, and along with provision of technical support in developing operational programmes on CBE across teacher professional development, assessment and curriculum development for grades 5-9"****. Applications must be received by the 2****3 November 2020 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php.

The office retains the right to adopt assessment methodology including but not limited to interview or a small assignment. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the "best value for money" principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance. Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as per the table below. Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria. * Technical Criteria weight - 80%; * Financial Criteria weight - 20%;

Criteria

Weight

Max. Point

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 80 points)

80%

80

Overall Response (30 points)

Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response

15

Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal

15

Proposed Methodology and Approach (20 points)

Quality of proposed approach/methodology

10

Quality of proposed work plan

10

Technical Capacity (30 points)

Advanced University Degree in Social Science and Education

5

At least 10 years of productive work experience in the area of competency-based education with demonstrated experience of senior policy advice in areas related to teacher professional development, curriculum reform and assessment. Knowledge of Tajikistan education context is considered an asset.

10

Good knowledge of Tajikistan programming and experience in provision of policy advice in areas related to teacher professional development, curriculum reform and assessment;

10

Fluency in English and Russian.

5

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 20 points) (daily rate, lump sum, per deliverable, Economy Air Ticket)

20%

20

TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 60 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal: Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in US dollars) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR. The formula for the rating of the Financial Proposals will be as follows: FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

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.

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.