International Consultant - Sign Language
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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.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Title of Assignment
International Consultant - Sign Language
Section
Education
Location
Remote
Duration
17 days
Start date
From: 03/01/2021
From: 25/02/2021 (tentative)
Background and Justification
In pursuit of learning for all (SDG 4 in inclusive education settings, and in keeping with Article 24 of the CRPD and General Comment 4 of the CRPD Committee, UNICEF has been conducting wide- ranging consultations on Accessible Digital Textbooks (ADT) as a key lever for advancing access to the learning process and inclusion in school. Furthermore, solid partnerships have been established to advocate, develop standards and guidelines, both on the content and technical standards in accessible publishing, and is committed to maintaining a strong global advocacy and supporting national policy advancements on Inclusive Education.
In the majority of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Language of Instruction for early grade learners is mother tongue or the language used in the school’s catchment area. For deaf children, their mother tongue is the local sign language. In the process of developing accessible digital textbooks, the appropriate sign language must be considered for learners who are deaf. In this regard, the aim of this consultancy is to develop a guidance on standards for local sign language usage in accessible learning materials. The standards developed will not only provide guidance to UNICEF but should also be relevant to similar digital learning initiatives seeking to enhance learning for children whose communication is primarily through sign language.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and resultant school closures, learning materials that are accessible for all learning styles, have become even more critical. The pandemic has exacerbated inequalities. Vulnerable children who are socio-economically disadvantaged and children living with disabilities face increased difficulty to continue learning through the provisions made through various platforms such as radio, TV, and various digital options of e-learning. For TV lessons and digital learning to be effective, they should, amongst other features, have a sign language that the learner comprehends. The recruitment of the consultant is of particular importance to inform the development of effective accessible digital learning materials, not only curriculum materials but also readers and recreational reading material for deaf children.
Scope of Work
1. Goal and Objective:
Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, Equity; this consultancy will cover the following areas: • With reference to language of instruction policies, good practices for effective learning in monolingual and multi-lingual school environments, provide the context for use of sign language to facilitate effective learning for learners with hearing disability. • Highlight key principles that should be considered in the development of the sign language in accessible digital learning materials and other innovative digital materials and in particular. • Draft a guidance document on the use of sign language in accessible digital materials that can serve as a reference for countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa region primarily but should also be able to inform countries seeking to develop accessible digital learning materials beyond the ESA region. • Facilitate a multi-country meeting to discuss the draft guidance and thereafter finalise the guidance document.
2. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: . The activity 10 from the Education part of the Regional Work Plan is formulating as following: “Share lessons learned and tools developed on the Accessible Digital Textbook for expand and scale-up support to COs”. This consultancy is directly linked to this activity and will enable to build on lessons learned from the ADT pilot initiatives in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to develop guidance for the on the use of sign language in ADT.
3. Activities and Tasks:
• Undertake a literature review on sign language use for learning highlighting policy considerations such as language(s) of instruction, evidence for good practice in monolingual and multilingual contexts and key features of effective digital learning materials for deaf users particularly children • Based on the literature (and consultations with African associations of deaf persons), draft document highlighting the key principles to be considered in sign language features for pre- primary and primary school level accessible digital learning materials • Prepare to facilitate the session to discuss the Draft Guidance at the multi-country meeting • Facilitate a session for consensus building on the Guidance at a regional meeting on lessons learned on the ADT project (minimum of 3 countries but likely to include other country offices in ESAR)
4. Work relationships:
The consultant will report to the Education Specialist (Equity) at ESARO who will facilitate engagement with Education colleagues in country offices and HQ disability section as may be required.
Work Assignment Overview
Payment schedule
Tasks/Milestone:
Deliverables/Out puts:
Number of days
/ Timeline
%
Undertake a literature review on sign language use for learning highlighting policy considerations such as language(s) of instruction, evidence for good practice in monolingual and multilingual contexts and key features
of effective digital learning materials for deaf users particularly children
Summary review (no more than 6 pages); highlighting key principles for effective digital learning materials
6 days (January
15th 2020)
30%
Based on the literature (and consultations with African associations of deaf persons), draft document highlighting the key principles to be considered in sign language features for pre-primary and primary school level accessible digital learning
materials
Draft guidance document
6 days (January
28th 2020)
30%
Prepare to facilitate the session to discuss the Draft Guidance at the multi- country meeting
Outline of facilitation plan for discussion and consensus building to the draft guidance at the Lessons Learned multi-country
meeting
1 day
Facilitate a session for consensus building on the Guidance at a regional meeting on lessons learned on the ADT project (minimum of 3 countries but likely to include other country offices in ESAR)
Consolidate key comments and use to finalize the guidance document
1-day preparatory work 1-day meeting
2 days to finalize guidance (tentative
February 25th 2020)
40%
Total number of days
17
100%
5. Required Profile
Desired Competencies, technical background and experience
a) Advanced University degree in Inclusive Education, Special Needs Education, International Development or related field; b) 8 years of relevant professional work experience in Education and equity, including in Africa and/or developing countries; c) Experience in inclusive education for children with disabilities, learning for deaf children, knowledge of innovative learning materials for deaf children will be an asset; d) Awareness of UNICEF programmes is highly desirable; e) Fluency in English, with excellent written skills, is required; f) Experience of working independently and remotely.
Administrative issues
The assignment will be supervised by the Education Specialist (Equity) in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Education Section. The consultant will be able to complete the assignment remotely, no travel is expected.
Conditions
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
Risks
Multi-country lessons learned meeting dates need to be agreed in early January to ensure adequate planning and meeting deliberations and resolutions will be included in the final report in March 2021.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online using the button below. As part of their application, candidates should provide: 1. Expression of Interest/cover letter that specifies how you meet the desired competencies, technical background and experience (no more than 2 pages) 2. A short CV (no more than 4 pages) 3. A financial proposal that should include daily rate and the total fees for the assignment 4. 3 Referees 5. P 11 form - which can be downloaded from our website at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html
Candidates with questions about the opportunity should send an email to hcron@unicef.org before December 2020
Added 3 years ago
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Updated 2 years ago
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Source:
unicef.org
