International Consultant for the Assessment of Learning upon School Reopening

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, [insert tagline]

https://www.unicef.org/timorleste

How can you make a difference?

Under supervision of Chief Education of UNICEF and the guidance of the Director of UCN and Research INFORDEPE and other directorates where relevant from the Ministry of Education, support the design of a classroom test and to provide assistance in the design of remedial action to be taken by teachers as a result of the test. The assignment will be conducted in partnership with MEJD staff including Testing Unit (UCN) and in close consultation with Basic Education for the assessment and with INFORDEPE for the training.

WORK ASSIGNMENT

1. Develop an inception report to detail the approach and methodology of the assessment including key questions, test specifications and uses to which the test will be put (5 days)

2. 5 days of the development of specifications for:

a) a test to assess the level of students in the areas of literacy and numeracy for primary education cycle 1 and cycle 2

b) and a test to assess the level of students across the curriculum in terms of pre-secondary if appropriate

3. Develop the test, administration and scoring guide to enable teachers (or others) to administer the test (5 days)

4. Briefly test out the test(s) (Note: a full piloting exercise will not be required) and as a result finalize the test(s) (3 days)

5.1. Advise on mechanisms by which the results of the test should be collated and reported on at individual, school level and above (5 days)

5.2. Assist with verification and monitoring of the test (5 days)

5.3. Produce interim information to report on results of tests (3 days)

6. Work closely with INFORDEPE and other TA to ensure that teachers and others are trained in how to administer, score and report on the test (5 days)

7. Provide a menu of recommended options for action for teachers and other stakeholders to take in order to help to make up learning loss based at least in part on test results (3 days)

8. Provide policy advice to MEJD to close learning gaps (5 days)

9. Work closely and collaboratively with Back to School campaign/Restore Learning Safely campaign to ensure key messages related to reinforcement and remediation of learning reach the community and that the community is involved in these measures (10 days)

10. Work closely and collaboratively with INFORDEPE to ensure that training for teachers in remedial / catch up teaching is targeted towards making up of learning loss Note this activity could form part of testing teachers in how to assess children (15 days)

11. Produce a final report summarizing results of testing and measures to ensure learning loss against curriculum goals is minimized (10 days).

DELIVERABLES:

1. Inception report (by 24th of September 2020)

2. Test specifications /blueprint (by 24th of September 2020)

3. Draft test with accompanying administration and scoring guide (by September 30th 2020)

4. Report on trial of tests (by September 30th 2020)

5. Report on how the test should be administered, results collated and reported on (by September 30th 2020)

6. Input into training materials package (September - December 2020)

7. Guidelines for teachers either as part of training package or as a standalone kit (tbd)

8. Social Policy Paper (tbd)

9. Input into Restore Learning Safely Campaign (Ongoing)

10. Trainings of teachers on catch up teaching delivered (tbd)

11. Final report

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: 79 working days from Sep - Dec 2020

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

• Advanced degree in education, social sciences or assessment
• At least 5 years’ experience of work in the field of education, testing and assessment
• Excellent written communication and report writing skills
• Excellent knowledge of and familiarity of the Timorese school curriculum
• Knowledge and experience of literacy in both Tetun and Portuguese
• Working level knowledge of Tetun and Portuguese
• Ability to communicate and write reports in English

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 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:

• Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, updated CV, technical proposal and the financial proposal
• 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.