International Individual Consultancy: Technical assistance to support UNICEF Sri Lanka’s Education Programme

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Sunday 21 Aug 2022 at 18:25 UTC

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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.

For every child, h****ow can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have an ongoing partnership agreement to support the Education programme. The Educational Environment Improvement Project in Kilinochchi District (hereinafter “Kilinochchi Education Project”) is funded by the KOICA, implemented by UNICEF Sri Lanka, in coordination with the Northern Province Authorities, Zonal Authorities and a wide range of local stakeholders from the civil society and the private sector, in collaboration with the National and Provincial Ministries of Education and the National Institute of Education.

The project timeframe is October 2018 to December 2022 and the total budget is USD 6.75 million including USD 600,000 for COVID-19 support.

In line with the goals of the Education Sector Development Plan (ESDP) (2018 - 2025) as well as UNICEF-Sri Lanka County Programme 2018-2022, the project aims:

1. To improve the physical learning environment through construction/renovation of classrooms/facilities and equipping of the targeted schools;

2. To build the capacity of teachers, principals and in-service advisors to provide better quality education services in the targeted schools that promote improved learning outcomes and social cohesion; and

3. To increase community awareness on the importance of education and the role of parents as part of the school community.

The Project targets primarily 13 schools and aims to reach circa 5,000 students, 215 teachers and principals, school development committees, parents and Assistant Directors of Education (ADEs) and In-Service Advisors (ISAs) from the Kilinochchi Zone. Some activities have also benefitted non project school teachers.

The main components of the project are as follows:

1. Support school construction/repair and required supplies and teaching/learning materials in 13 project schools to better ensure children’s access to improved physical learning environment and materials

2. Support capacity building of education stakeholders including teachers, principals, and education government officials on key components of inclusive and child-centred teaching/learning

3. Support community awareness raising on 7 thematic areas – education, reading culture, health/nutrition/WASH, ICT and online safety, social cohesion, violence free schools, children with disabilities – in catchment areas of the 13 project schools

4. Support to safe school reopening and operation across the island during the COVID-19 pandemic and capacity building of teachers, school principals and in-service advisors on home-based learning

5. Provision of emergency education supplies (paper, notebooks) in the Northern Province to ensure continuous learning for children, including the most disadvantaged, amidst the ongoing economic crisis

As the project will be ending in December 2022, under the supervision of the Chief of Education, the consultant will support the final stages of the project focusing on final implementation, monitoring and reporting on both the programmatic and financial results, and evaluation of the project. Liaison and facilitation of the programmatic partnership with KOICA Sri Lanka office will also be supported by this consultancy.

Scope of Work:

(i) Technical and operational support to programme implementation of remaining activities across all components of the project

a. Monitor the additional construction in 2 project schools by leading coordination and communication with UNICEF’s construction engineer.

b. Monitor overall implementation of the Kilinochchi Zonal capacity building activities by leading coordination and communication with UNICEF’s Education officer and Education consultant in the Kilinochchi Office.

c. Monitor overall implementation of the Provincial capacity building activities in the Northern Province by leading coordination and communication with UNICEF’s Education officer in the Kilinochchi Office.

(ii) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

a. Provide technical support to the endline study and coordinate with the UNICEF Kilinochchi Office (KZO), lead consultant, CSO partner, as required, to produce the final endline study report in line with international standards.

b. Provide technical support to the endline KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviour) survey and coordinate with KZO, lead consultant and CSO partner, as required, to produce the final endline KAP survey report in line with international standards.

c. Plan and administer the project-end external evaluation by helping the designing of the evaluation, providing technical support and coordinating with the relevant stakeholders including the UNICEF Regional Office, UNICEF Colombo and KZO, lead consultant(s), government partners, donor agency, and CSO partner to produce the final evaluation report in line with UNICEF’s internal rules and regulations as well as the OECD DAC Principles for Evaluation of Development Assistance.

d. Undertake regular field monitoring as required and situation permits.

e. Actively undertake monitoring through field visits as situation permits, and exchange information with stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.

f. Lead liaison with the KOICA Sri Lanka Office on issues related to M&E.

(iii) Reporting

a. Lead drafting of Year 5 biannual report due January 31st, 2023 in line with UNICEF reporting standards and in coordination with UNICEF colleagues in Colombo and Kilinochchi office as well as relevant stakeholders for inputs. This should be in line with the 2 budget utilization plans approved by KOICA and include a separate reporting on the education emergency supplies.

b. Lead drafting of final synthesis report due March 31st, 2023 in line with UNICEF reporting standards and in coordination with UNICEF colleagues in Colombo and Kilinochchi office as well as relevant stakeholders for inputs and incorporate findings of the endline study and the endline KAP survey cognizant of the various indicators in the results framework as well as the 2 budget utilization plans approved by KOICA.

c. Prepare any other programme reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress, as required.

d. Lead liaison with the KOICA Sri Lanka Office on issues related to reporting.

(iv) Budget monitoring and management

a. Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of financial resources confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity, ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

b. Liaise with the Programme Associate in the UNICEF Colombo Office to regularly review the remaining funds and plan accordingly to ensure full liquidation of all funds by December 31st, 2022.

c. Liaise with UNICEF’s construction engineer in KZO to process payments and complete all liquidation of funds regarding additional construction and supply in schools as required.

d. Liaise with UNICEF’s Education officer and Education consultant in KZO to process payments and complete liquidation of funds regarding capacity building activities at both the zonal and provincial level.

(v) Lead liaison with the KOICA Sri Lanka Office on issues related to budget monitoring. Visibility

a. Coordinate KZO colleagues to identify potential human interest stories.

b. Liaise and coordinate with the communication team in UNICEF Colombo to develop at least two human interest stories – one in the form of a webstory and one in the form of a video – with content quality for a global audience.

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

Qualifications, Experience and skills required,

  1. Advanced degree in Education, Social Sciences, International Development or any other relevant field.
  2. Minimum 5 years of professional experience on education programmes at international level; particularly in a development country context is an asset.

Solid technical expertise and experience at international level in research, programme management, M&E, and reporting required. Experience in managing international development projects funded by KOICA and in leading donor relationship management with KOICA in Korean is strongly preferred.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

a) Strong analytical skills and excellent communication skills.

b) Fluency in English language is a must, with strong analysis and drafting skills.

c) Knowledge of and experience in the education sector in Sri Lanka is an asset.

d) Working experience in UN or other international development organization, as well as with the government is an asset.

e) Working experience in/with KOICA is a strong asset.

f) Ability to speak and write in Korean is a strong asset.

* Expected Start Date: 15 September 2022

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable)

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org