International consultant to introduce basic life skills program into curriculum of general secondary schools and republican educational correctional schools

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.

Background

WHO defines ‘life skills’ as “a group of psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with and manage their lives in a healthy and productive manner. Life skills may be directed toward personal actions or actions toward others, as well as toward actions to change the surrounding environment to make it conducive to health.” Life skills are ones of the most crucial skills needed for all children and young people in the process of development and entering into adulthood. There is a particular demand in life skills for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups of children and young people who for different reasons cannot develop their skills at homes and in other settings. Being equipped with the life skills, there are more chances for vulnerable groups of children and young people to realize their human rights, to develop and thrive to the fullest potential.

In cooperation with the Republican Center of Professional Orientation and Psychological Diagnostics of Pupils under the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan, UNICEF is planning to develop the Basic Life Skills Program (BLS Program) for children and young people aged 14-18 and introduce this program into the curricula of the general secondary schools and educational correction schools (closed institutions) for adolescents with difficulties in behavior. For this purpose, UNICEF is seeking the services of the international consultant to provide technical assistance in adaption of the programme and enhancement of the capacity of school psychologists in piloting the BLS Program in Uzbekistan.

Purpose

The purpose of the current consultancy is to provide technical and methodological expert guidance in adaptation of the BLS curriculum to the context of Uzbekistan and, with the support of the national consultant, to deliver the ToT to school psychologists and Methodists of the Republican Center of Professional Orientation and Psychological Diagnostics of Pupils under the Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan.

Scope of work

The consultant is expected, with support of the national consultant, to adapt the curriculum, learning and teaching materials to the context of Uzbekistan, develop programme of the training of trainers (ToT) and co-facilitate TOT to enhance capacity of the school psychologists to deliver the Basic Life Skills Programme in secondary schools in target districts of Karakalpakstan, Tashkent city and two Republican educational correctional schools.

Description of the Assignment and Tasks:

1. Build capacity of the master trainers based on the adapted BLS Program (13 days)
2. Develop instruments for monitoring the effectiveness and assessing the impact of the BLS Program (3days).

Tasks & Timeframe

1. Conduct capacity building of master trainers based on the adapted Basic Life Skills Program

1.1. Adapt the existing Basic Life Skills Programs based on the findings of training needs/capacities assessment - August 2021 – 4 days 1.2. Develop 4 days programme for BLS training - August 2021 -1 day 1.3. Co-facilitate two (on-line/off-line) training of trainers (TOT) on delivering the Basic Life Skills Program for the selected group of master trainers in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city - August 2021 – 8 days

Deliverables

BLS Program resources (the facilitator’s handbook and students’ workbook) accompanied with comparative table of initial content and introduced changes. TOT agenda, handouts and materials.

2. Support in monitoring of the effectiveness of the BLS Program

2.1. Develop the assessment criteria and instruments for the effectiveness of the BLS Program - August 2021 – 3 days

Deliverables

List of indicators, including baseline, targets and means of verification; Assessment instruments, e.g. pre and post questionnaires.

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

1. Advanced university degree in psychology, pedagogy or other related social sciences.
2. At least 7 years of professional experience in field of psychology or pedagogy (verified by records of work experience).
3. Knowledge and experience in adaptation and integration of the UNICEF Basic Life Skills or Adolescent Kit programme.
4. Experience in conducting ToTs (verified by records of work experiences in carrying out at least two trainings/workshops).
5. Excellent presentation and communication skills (verified by records of work experience in delivering speeches or presentations).
6. Good written and spoken command in Russian is an asset (verified by an interview).

Management

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the national BLS consultant. Direct supervisors of the consultant are Youth and Adolescence Development Officer and Child Protection Officer.

Payment

The consultant will be paid by one installment after completion of all deliverables certified by the Youth and Adolescents Development Officer and Child Protection Officer.

The candidates are requested to submit their financial offer consisting of fee for the services to be provided.

The International Consultant will receive direct payment to his/her indicated bank account in US dollars. Travel expenses to and within Uzbekistan for the consultancy purposes (terminal expenses and local air fare) as well as DSA in Uzbekistan will be funded by UNICEF in the case the travel takes place, which is subject to the epidemiological situation in the country of the consultant’s residence and Uzbekistan, and according to UNICEF rules and procedures.

Reservations

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copyright of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract.

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:

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.