International Consultant to Provide Technical Support in Review and Revise/Develop Pre- and in-Service Teachers’ Training Curricula with UNICEF in Uzbekistan

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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.

Background:

Early Childhood Development and Education is one of the priority areas of the UNICEF Uzbekistan Country Programme. UNICEF has been providing technical assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan in its efforts to improve access to quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) services. One of the key achievements of the Ministry of Preschool Education (MOPSE) and UNICEF joint efforts in the last Country Programme (2015-2020) was the revision of the Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) of Uzbekistan and the development of a new curriculum for preschool education in line with the ELDS, using a competency-based approach. To ensure efficient and effective introduction and implementation of the newly developed ELDS and Curriculum, UNICEF provided technical support to the Ministry of Preschool Education (MOPSE) in capacity development activities of preschool teachers by training the Master Trainers at the National and Regional levels as specialists for expanding the training to cover all teachers through cascade mode. To support the training for curriculum implementation UNICEF supported development of six Teacher Guidebooks to enhance quality teaching and learning and support preschool teachers with methodological guidelines in different areas.

A number of policy measures have been taken to support the quality expansion and reforms in preschool education in the past few years. The “Law on Preschool Education” was developed with UNICEF’s technical support to MOPSE and passed by the Senate in December 2019.. The Law defines the rights of children to ECCE and the establishes the directions of state policy in ECCE. The Law guarantees the right of every child to receive compulsory one-year preprimary education in state-run preschools before entering school.

UNICEF supported the government to develop a National Education Quality Framework (NEQF), based on several existing models, and particularly UNESCO (2005) framework. Taking this forward in 2019, UNICEF supported the government in designing the Education Quality Assurance Framework (EQAF) including quality standards and performance indicators, that are in line with NEQF, at the preschool and basic education levels. Following the development of EQAF, in 2019, UNICEF provided support to government to design instruments and guidelines for (a) reflective self-evaluation and (b) more objective external quality review for preschool education. The draft instruments for both preschool self-evaluation and external evaluation were piloted and are now being finalized.

In 2019, UNICEF supported the government in drafting new Teacher Qualification Frameworks and Teacher Professional Standards for preschool and general secondary school teachers. Teacher professional standards represent the characteristics of high-quality teaching for the twenty-first century, including subject knowledge, pedagogical expertise, ethical values and wider understanding of the systemic issues in education and teacher professionalism. The framework and standards are going to be considered as the basis for the revision of pre-service training programmes, for in-service professional development and for teacher appraisal and finally contribute to overall improving the quality of competent teachers.

Taking into account all these above mentioned developments, MOPSE has requested UNICEF to provide support to review and suggest revisions of the pre and in- service teacher’s training curricula.

Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to the Government of Uzbekistan (specifically to the Ministry of Preschool Education) to review the curriculum used in the pre-and in-service teacher’s training programe, identify gaps and provide recommendations with possible revision of the curricula in line with national and international requirements and best practices.

  1. Desk review of best international practices and highlighting most appropriated ones for Uzbekistan.
  2. Review and gap analysis of the existing pre- and in-service teacher’s training curricula.
  3. Provide recommendations and draft work plan for the revision and development of the new in-service teacher’s training curricula.
  4. Revise and develop (as needed) the new curricula for pre- and in-service teacher training curricula.

Description of the Assignment and Tasks:

The assignment is expected to start in March 2022 and finalized by December 2022 (review, gap analysis and recommendations) and in case revision and development of the new curricula the contract will be extended based on the plan of action.

The Consultant is expected to implement the following activities and provide following deliverables:

  1. Desk review and best practices of pre- and in-service teacher’s training for preschool teachers:
    1. Desk review of international best practices
    2. Identify the most appropriate and relevant practices from the countries with developed system of teacher training and retraining in the world and close context to Uzbekistan.
    3. Provide case studies.
  2. Review existing both pre- and in- service teacher training curricula by key subjects:
    1. Based on new policies and alignment with new norms and requirements, as well as with new preschool curriculum and ELDS;
    2. Identify needs of the preschool education system in consultation with MOPSE;
    3. Specific focus on inclusive education and how it is reflected and introduced in curricula;
    4. Identify gaps based on review results;
  3. Provide recommendations and follow up strategy for the revision of both pre-and in-service teachers’ training system for preschool education.
    1. Set of recommendation both for pre- and in-service teachers’ training curricula;
    2. Strategy and action plan for revision with clear milestones.
  4. Revise pre-and in-service teachers’ training curricula based on the results of the review and recommendations:
    1. Provide technical support in revision of pre-service curricula for teacher training with outlining of key subjects;
    2. Provide technical support in revision/development of in-service teacher’s training curricula;
    3. Provide technical support in development of alternative forms of in-service teacher’s training system (on-line courses, module system, cluster centres etc.)

Activities and deliverables and timeline:

1. Desk review and best practices of pre- and in-service teacher’s training for preschool teachers - Inception Report - 10 days (by the end of June 2022)

a. Desk review of best practices b. Identify the most appropriate and relevant practices from the countries with developed system of teacher training and retraining in the world and close context to Uzbekistan. c. Provide case studies.

2. Review existing both pre- and in- service teacher training curricula by key subjects - Report - 12 days (by 15 July 2022)

d. Based on new policies and alignment with new norms and requirements, as well as new preschool curriculum and ELDS; e. Identify needs of the preschool education system in consultation with MOPSE; f. Specific focus on inclusive education and how it is reflected and introduced in curricula; g. Identify gaps based on review results;

3. Provide recommendations and follow up strategy for the revision of both pre-and in-service teachers’ training system for preschool education - Report - 12 days (by the end of August – end of September 2022) and Strategy and Action plan - (Final Curriculum by end of September 2022)

a. Set of recommendation both for pre- and in-service teachers’ training curricula;

b. Strategy and action plan for revision with clear milestones.

4. Revise pre-and in-service teachers’ training curricula based on the results of the review and recommendations - Revised teacher training curricula - 35 days

a. Provide technical support in revision of pre-service curricula for teacher training with outlining of key subjects; b. Provide technical support in revision/development of in-service teacher’s training curricula; c. Provide technical support in development of alternative forms of in-service teacher’s training system (on-line courses, module system, cluster centres etc.)

5. Process documenting Report - Report on Process Documentation - 5 days (October 2022)

Total days: 74 days

Management:

International Consultant will work under direct supervision of ECD Officer. The International Consultant will be working in consultation with national partners and government officials

Resource requirements:

According to UNICEF policy, the final fees will be set up based on the “best value for money” principle. Total seventy (74) working days are allocated for accomplishment of all tasks and deliverables within the period of March – December 2022. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and provision of reports of accomplished tasks and deliverables approved by the supervisor. Initial contract will be made for the first three deliverables, meaning 34 days of assignment and based on the work accomplished and recommendations provided the contract will be extended to 74 days total.

The candidates are requested to submit their financial offer consisting of fee for the services to be provided. in case of travel to Uzbekistan all travel arrangements will be done based on the UNICEF rules and regulations.

The Consultant will receive direct payment to his/her indicated bank account.

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

• Advanced University degree in education, or in any other relevant Social Sciences with a focus on ECD/E (validated by qualifications); • At least 10 years of professional and relevant experience in education, preferably in ECD/E in curriculum development, teacher training systems, preferably in CEE/CIS countries. Work experience in Uzbekistan would be an asset (validated by CV and interview); • Good analytical and writing skills, with a specific focus on development of curricula for both pre-and in-service teacher training systems, teaching-learning materials for preschool education (verified by examination of evidence from previous assignment deliverables). • Excellent written and spoken skills in English, knowledge of Russian will be an asset (verified in interview).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

Procedures and Working Conditions

UNICEF will reserve copy right 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 materials produced at any time.

The consultant must clearly identify any potential ethical issues arising from the fulfilment of her/his tasks and duties in the framework of this assignment and ensure that s/he performs the assignment in a manner that does not expose UNICEF to any such risks. This last sentence contains a very important point.

The Consultant is expected to work independently and respond to feedback from the supervisor in a timely and professional manner, to be results driven, and to have the ability to work under pressure and meet required deadlines. You again used parallelism (to work/to be/to have) to connect your ideas.

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

Reservations:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if the performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) are 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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org