International Consultant to support preparation of methodological manual on the methodology of training civil servants using distance learning technologies

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

The Academy of Civil Service under the President of Turkmenistan (hereinafter referred to as the Academy or ACS) was established in September 2008. The strategic goal of the Academy is to create an educational, research, organizational, and methodological base that provides training and capacity building activities for management personnel of state authorities and local governments.

The Academy provides a two-year retraining course for civil servants, as well as short-term advanced training courses based on applications from ministries, state departments, and local governments.

According to the State Programme of the development of digital economy for 2021-2025 the development of digitalization and the ongoing institutional transformations in this area require a consistent build-up of the practical skills of civil servants.

To organize the educational process, the Academy, in addition to the main teaching staff, attracts highly qualified specialists and experts from the ministries and departments of the country, as well as representatives of partner higher educational institutions, specialized academies, research institutes and analytical centers, including from other countries. The training course programs provide for holding of practical classes and industrial practice for the students of the Academy from the Mejlis (Parliament), ministries and sectoral departments, as well as local self-government bodies.

UNDP and the Academy of Civil Service under the President of Turkmenistan have initiated the joint Project - Capacity Building of the Academy of Civil Service under the President of Turkmenistan.

The goal of this project is to strengthen the potential of the Academy of Civil Service under the President of Turkmenistan to improve the professional qualifications and retraining of civil servants in accordance with principles that take into account merit and performance, as well as to promote young specialists (including women) in leadership positions.

The project includes the following components: development and implementation of certification programs for professional development of civil servants in line with the primary objectives of development of digital economy and strengthening ICT infrastructure of education system of the Academy in accordance with objectives of civil service during the transition to digital economy.

The project is designed to support the Academy and develop, in close cooperation with it, modern training programs, as well as improve the methodology and material and technical base for further improving the training of civil service personnel.

The long-term goal of the assignment is to improve the efficiency of the public service in Turkmenistan in line with global trends and innovations.

The assignment corresponds to the priority areas of the National Programme of Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan for 2022-2052, the Presidential Program of Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan for 2022-2028, the Concept for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2019-2025, the State Programme of the Development of Digital Economy for 2021-2025, the Concept for the Development of the Digital Education System in Turkmenistan.

At present, one of the main priorities of the public policy of Turkmenistan is the development of a digital education system in Turkmenistan. The Academy plans to launch an innovative distance learning technology in the frame of implementation of the Concept for the Development of the Digital Education System in Turkmenistan.

Together with UNDP, the Academy is going to implement a new mechanism of civil servants’ education using innovative distance learning technologies. The competence-oriented approach in developing of trainers/teachers is one of the current priorities of the Academy. The main tasks of the assignment will be preparation, testing and publication of a methodological manual of civil servants training using distance technologies based on:

• familiarization with the didactic, psychological, pedagogical, and methodological foundations of the application of information and communication technologies in the field of education;
• development of competence in the use of modern digital tools and services for the creation of electronic educational resources;
• formation of skills in the use of ICT tools in the digital educational environment.

The assignment shall cover:

Innovative trainer/teacher knowledge requirements in the field of ICT:

• know the techniques and methods of using ICT tools in various types and forms of educational activities;
• be able to use ICT tools in their professional activities;
• own the methodology of using digital technologies in the subject area;
• have the skills to develop pedagogical technologies based on the use of digital tools and services;
• have an idea of ??the possibilities of practical implementation in the context of the use of multimedia technologies, artificial intelligence systems, information systems, innovative equipment, web technologies that operate on the basis;
• of computer technologies that automate the input, accumulation, processing, transmission, and operational management of information;
• be able to use telecommunication technologies for educational purposes;

The modern trainer/teacher needs to be taught:

• use information or educational resources;
• remotely interact with students and trainees;
• use social media services in real time to share innovations with colleagues or provide individual assistance to students;
• create electronic educational resources and place them in specialized systems or on educational platforms;
• conduct a variety of online learning projects on social networks or on educational platforms;
• organize remote communication between all participants of the educational process using technologies;
• conduct joint lectures, laboratory and practical classes using services for webinars or other services for virtual meetings and communication;
• exchange relevant information within network professional communities;

In this regard UNDP is seeking an international expert to support the preparation, testing and publication of a methodological manual of civil servants training using distance learning technologies based on best international practices and also to conduct the mastering course for trainers presenting this Guide. The course will help to understand:

• features of the professional activity of educators in the digital information and educational environment;
• the possibility of using digital technologies, innovative equipment, electronic educational resources to achieve subject, meta-subject and personal results;
• the specifics of the organization of the educational process using distance learning technologies;

The trainers also will learn:

• to carry out professional pedagogical activities in the information and educational environment of the Academy and other High Educational Institutions;
• to analyze, systematically select and use digital tools, information systems, web technologies in accordance with the objectives of training and the requirements of the National Educational Standards;
• to use digital tools and services, electronic educational resources, distance learning technologies in educational activities;
• to develop learning materials using distance learning technologies;
• to carry out network interaction with other teachers and educational organizations;

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the above-mentioned objective of the assignment and under the supervision of the UNDP team and the Academy staff, the International Consultant will carry out the following concrete tasks:

1. Based on best international practices to develop a methodologic Manual / Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods using innovative distance technologies in digital transformation and to adapt it to national legislation and publication in two languages – English and Russian;
2. To test the Guide on 15 trainers conducting 5-day training workshop/mastering course (to develop workshop agenda, presentation materials on Guide and to test the trainers by testing questions);

As a result of these tasks trainers shall be able to become familiar with:

• legal framework for the introduction of e-learning and distance learning technologies;
• principles and methods of designing learning in the information and educational environment;
• the potential of new technologies to develop the versatile abilities of trainees and the formation of skills of the modern century;

Russian language is a requirement.

The international expert will work with UNDP and State Academy project team daily. He/she will report directly to UNDP Project Manager.

Deliverables and Timeframe:

• Deliverable 1: Guide to teaching and learning methods using innovative distance learning technologies in digital transformation developed in Russian and English and ready for publication; Report on Developing the Guide on distance learning. Location: home-based. Number of days: 15 days (November-December);
• Deliverable 2: The training-mastering course conducted online for 15 trainers. Report on training, training materials developed. Location: home-based. Number of days: 5 days (December);

Terms of payment:

This is an instalment-based contract that should cover the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy. Payment will be released in 2 (two) instalments upon timely submission of respective deliverable and related report upon the acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan:

• 1st instalment: 60% (for deliverable 1);
• 2nd instalment: 40% (for deliverable 2);

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge and extensive experience working with innovative educational instruments and mechanisms;
• Excellent training, facilitation and communication skills;
• Strong analytical skills, IT skills, ability to work with an audience;
• Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Good understanding of digital economy concept;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
• Knowledge of and ability to transfer expertise in the area of Information Technologies in Education;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in Economics, Management, Business Administration, and other relevant fields corresponding to this task;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in the field of digitalization of higher education, digital economics and management, business administration;
• Knowledge and experience in capacity and institution building in the area of distance learning process;
• Knowledge and experience of work in educational system is an advantage;
• Knowledge of information systems development is an advantage;
• Availability of publications on related topics (please attach the list of publications to CV);

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of Russian and English, including written and oral skills;

Submission of Documents:

Interested candidates shall provide the below-listed documents (information) to show their qualification:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

• Brief (1-2 pages) description of the methodology for the assignment. However, the specific methods for the assignment will be determined with consultations among UNDP Project team and the national partner about what is appropriate and feasible to meet the goals of the assignment;
• Financial Proposal with the references to the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, Template of the form named "Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability" can be found at: https://www.undp.org/turkmenistan/procurement . THE CANDIDATES WHO WILL NOT PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL PROPOSAL WOULD BE DISQUALIFIED. The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on a lump sum amount. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement;
• Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• Resume /CV;

Evaluation of Proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant and
• Having received the highest score – out of 100

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 100 points, and for financial criteria 30%.

a) Technical part of the proposal - 70% of total evaluation:

• Education - 20 points;
• Methodology - 15 points;
• Professional experience (this will include the number of methodologic materials, publications and similar works) - 30 points;
• Experience in educational field – 15 points;
• Language skills – 10 points;
• Interview - 10;

b) Financial part of the proposal - 30% of total evaluation.

Additional Requirements for the Recommended Candidate:

The recommended contractors at the age of 65 years old and elder and in case if a working trip is required shall undergo a full medical examination including X-ray and obtain the medical authorization from the UN approved doctor prior to accept his assignment. The medical examination shall be approved by the UN doctor and cost covered by the Consultant.