International Consultant - Development of standard learning assessment tool and conducting sample assessment of UNICEF's Education programme in Myanmar
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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, An Education
Guided by the convention of the Rights of the child (CRC) and the principles of impartiality, neutrality and equity, UNICEF is responding to the current learning crisis faced by the children of Myanmar through a combination of multiple strategic interventions that are relevant to the current rapidly changing situation. The interventions fall under the "Quality basic education pathways for the children" (QBEP4C) and Education in Emergency Programme. The vision of the programme is to realize that all children in Myanmar have safe, quality, and continuous learning opportunities that help them to develop their full potential at all times. UNICEF is focusing on not only providing remedial solutions within no time but is also ensuring that children have access to opportunities that help them to choose the type of relevant learning pathway they wish for in the long run. As such UNICEF’s response is to build upon what is existent, reinforce and expand the best practices while filling critical gaps, and not to develop a separate/parallel education. With the onset of the current political crisis, UNICEF is implementing the proposed activities through alternative modalities including partnership with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs). The programme objective is to support the learning, safety, and well-being of disadvantaged children across Myanmar to mitigate learning loss and improve their wellbeing.
In order to assess the effectiveness of the education programme and the learning outcomes of the children in Myanmar, it is necessary to conduct periodic learning assessments. These assessments will help to identify the needs of the children in the country, as well as provide them with the necessary support and resources to ensure their wellbeing and educational progress in humanitarian context.
How can you make a difference?
Scope of Work
UNICEF plans to hire consultant to review and develop standardized assessment tools for community facilitators to be better equipped to measure the learning outcomes of children in Myanmar. And to create a plan for assessing the impacts of the ongoing education programme on children learning and wellbeing, sharing their analysis of the results, and recommending actions to improve the overall learning outcomes and wellbeing of the children. The consultant hired under this ToR will take a closer look at the previously created and implemented various assessment tools, such as the Minimum Quality Standard for ECCD, routine monitoring checklists, classroom observation checklists, teacher behaviour checklists, third party monitoring checklists, placement tests and standardized tests for NFPE students. Moving forward, consultants will evaluate these existing tools, as well as any additional tools used by partners, and create a standardized simple, easy to use assessment tools.
A standard toolset may contain tools to assess the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired in early learning, primary and lower secondary education, Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE), Extended Continuous Education and Learning (EXCEL), Education in Emergency (EiE) and Social and Emotional learning (SEL). The consultant will conduct periodic learning assessments of children benefiting from UNICEF education programmes in the humanitarian context of Myanmar. The assessments will measure the learning outcomes and wellbeing of the children and provide insights into the effectiveness of the programme. The consultant shall carry out the following tasks:
- Conduct an analysis of existing learning assessment tools and approaches used in Myanmar and other countries in similar contexts and this includes Basic Education School Quality Assurance Framework (BE-SQAF) developed by Myanmar Education Quality Improvement Plan (My-EQIP); Management, Capacity Development, Coordination and Quality Assurance (MCCQA) of National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030); national assessment policy framework and INEE framework.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the learning outcomes and social and emotional learning needs of the children benefiting from UNICEF’s education programme in Myanmar.
- Review all the supplies and training provided in the ongoing programmes and consider how they can be utilized to measure the learning outcomes of children.
- Develop a set of standard learning assessment tools, including questionnaires, surveys, and other tools, to assess the learning outcomes of the children including SEL.
- Develop a guidance document in using the assessment tools by facilitators and educators in the field.
- Pilot testing for the standard assessment tools
- Finalization of the standard assessment tools
- Developing a plan for conducting periodic learning assessments of children
- Develop a methodology for the collection, analysis, and reporting of the assessment results
- Engage with UNICEF staff and other stakeholders to understand the context and specific needs of the assessment process
- Develop a process for the collection, analysis, and reporting of the assessment results
- Develop a plan for the implementation of the assessment process
- Develop a system for tracking the assessment results over time
- Sharing the data collected with analysis
- Developing annual report on the impact of UNICEF supported education programme on the learning outcome of children
The assignment is expected to be done remotely, and periodic assessment of learning outcome of children will be done by a team of enumerators or an organization who will need to be organized/recruited by the team leader. In case the team leader cannot find a team of enumerators, UNICEF can provide details of partners who could support data collection. These would be hired and managed by theconsultant. The programme has national coverage, locations selected for data collection need to be proposed by the consultant, along with a sampling framework and detailed considerations for the selection of the locations. Locations selected for assessment needs to consider different contexts/ circumstances of programme implementation and finally agreed on with UNICEF. The data collected should be disaggregated by sex, age, disability, states, etc. where relevant and focus on both the implementers and the rights holders (children and caregivers) and the key informants at central and sub-national levels. Sampling should be done in consultation with UNICEF. The data collection sample should reconsider a balance of criteria such as socioeconomic indicators, remoteness, ethnicities, etc., as well as conditions related to safety and access.
The UNICEF Myanmar Education Team will be responsible for providing guidance and feedback on the development of the process, plan, and system. The consultant will be responsible for developing the process, plan, and system, and for producing the final report. All deliverables will require feedback from UNICEF, before acceptance. All products are expected to include high-level quality graphics and audio visuals and commitment to ensuring compliance on guidance on inclusivity and accessibility is incorporated.
Proposed Timeline
The assignment will be in two phases: Phase 1. Development of standard learning assessment tools and consultant shall complete the assignment within 90 days from the date of signing of the contract. Phase 2. Conducting periodic learning assessments of children and this needs to be continued for 26 months including field data collection. An estimated budget has been allocated for this evaluation. The assignment has a timeline of 36 months, from July 2023 to June 2026.
Duty Station:
Home-based/ Remote
Duration of Assignment:
Part-time. 300 days spread over a period of 36 months.
Description of Assignment:
Task 1:
- Inception meeting via skype
- All relevant documents are reviewed, explanatory discussions held, and inception report submitted compliant with UNICEF requirements
Deliverable 1:
- Inception report
- Presentation on the methodology with timeline
Task 2:
- Review all the existing assessment tools and policy documents related to assessment among UNICEF and partners
- Draft the standard assessment tools that covers all target of children who are from early learning, primary and lower secondary education, NFPE, EXCEL and EIE
20 days
Deliverable 2:
- Report with description and comparative analysis of the tools reviewed
- Sharing a draft standard assessment toolset
- Based on inputs/comments from UNICEF, share a second final draft for review
35 days
Tasks 3:
- Field testing of the approved standard toolset in field
- Sharing the pilot testing experience and its results to all the education programme and field staff and Implementing partners
- Incorporate all the feedbacks and re-adjust the standard assessment tools
Deliverables 3:
- Feedbacks from the field testing and from UNICEF education staff and IPs will be incorporated and reflected in the standard assessment toolset.
15 days
Tasks 4:
- Finalize the standard assessment tools
- Translate the standard tools in Myanmar version
- Conduct training of ToTs from IPs on the assessment tool
- Share the finalized standard tools both soft and hard copies in both English and Myanmar versions
- Submit a completion report
Deliverables 4:
- The standard assessment tools in both English and Myanmar versions available
- Completion reports available
10 days
Tasks 5:
- Sharing the methodology for sample size and data collection for conducting periodic learning assessment
- Sharing the framework of the analysis report
Deliverables 5:
- Methodology and plan for periodic assessment
10 days
Tasks 6:
- Conducting periodic assessment of children
- Share the analysis
Deliverables 6:
- Preliminary report of the assessment conducted along with analysis
180 days
Tasks 7:
- Revise the first draft and submit final report to Education section and other stakeholders in a multistakeholder workshop and prepare presentation and other materials.
Deliverables 7:
- Second draft report and executive summary in both English and Myanmar versions available
- Presentation on the findings and analysis biannual in both English and Myanmar versions available
20 days
Tasks 8:
Final report, executive summary, infographic and other materials finalized. All final materials will need to be submitted also in Myanmar
Deliverables 8:
Final report, executive summary, infographic and other materials (in English and Myanmar)
10 days
Remark: (Field Survey Tem/ Enumerators)
The Field Survey Team to conduct period learning outcome assessment (To be recruited and managed by the lead consultant). There will be max 8 field survey teams, for different region of mixed gender in each team. Each survey team will comprise of max 6 enumerators, with education. All team members should have strong analytical and communication skills, interview/review experience and familiarity within Myanmar and/or the region. Fluency in local language. Each group will conduct assessment of children based on the assessment tool developed at community level. All costs for the enumerators including required transportations etc will be borne by the lead consultant. Reducing or increasing the number of enumerators/ teams will be subject to UNICEF’s approval. The cost of translation of standard assessment tools and reports to be borne by the lead consultant.
The enumerators will be needed for conducting periodic assessment which will be 5-6 times in 3 years (biannual) and is linked to deliverable related to conducting periodic assessment of children in approx. 180 days. UNICEF would request the hired consultant to submit a plan for this.
Remark: Translations
There are Myanmar versions expected in the deliverables and there may be a need for translators.If translators are hired consultant will have to pay out of pocket. However, UNICEF can help to identify / recommend appropriate translators.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Master’s Degree or above in Education, Social Science, or related field
The consultant recruited by UNICEF to lead the assignment will possess an appropriate balance of expertise and practical knowledge in the following areas:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience relevant to the TOR requirements
- Strong understanding of and expertise in pedagogy, classroom assessment and learning outcomes
- Experience in designing assessment tools to measure education learning outcomes of children
- Strong understanding of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the education sector
- Good knowledge of issues related to girls, children with disabilities, IDPs, refugees and other vulnerable populations
- In-depth knowledge and experience in writing reports and conducting similar evaluations in similar contexts
- Should have strong analytical and oral and written communication skills, review experience and familiarity within Myanmar and/or the region
- In-depth knowledge and experience in developing and implementing learning assessment tools in a humanitarian context
- Experience in working in Myanmar or a similar context is an asset
- Prior experience of working with UNICEF in similar assignment is an added advantage
- Demonstrated ability and experience in coordination, and able to work as a team is required
The Field Survey Team to conduct period learning outcome assessment (To be recruited by the lead consultant):
- There will be max 8 field survey teams, for different region of mixed gender in each team
- Each survey team will comprise of max 6 enumerators, with education background
- All team members should have strong analytical and communication skills, interview/review experience and familiarity within Myanmar and/or the region
- Fluency in local language
- Each group will conduct assessment of children based on the assessment tool developed at community level
Applicants are required to fill in the following "Expression of Interest" form and attach in the online application: 10052023 LA _EOI May 2023_SSD.doc
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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
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.
Added 1 year ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
unicef.org
