International Lead Consultant for the Project Inception Phase

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station: Tajikistan Classification of duty station: \[\[filter12\]\] Standard Duration of Assignement : \[\[filter13\]\] Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 13-MAR-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Background** In recognition of the scarcity of the skilled teaching workforce as well as the need to improve the quality of learning resources, UNESCO will implement the EU/UNESCO partnership project: “Strengthening Competency-Based and ICT-Enabled STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and VET (Vocational Education and Training) Education and Teacher- Training in Tajikistan”. The project benefits from financial support from the European Union under the Action Document "Quality Education Support Programme II". In order to support Tajikistan in making progress in the achievement of SDG 4 and implementing its recently-adopted National Strategy for Education Development for the period until 2030, the project aims to design textbooks, teaching and learning materials for selected STEM subjects based on competency-based curricula at the secondary education and VET level, train teachers as well as equip the teacher training institutes/centres in the areas of ICT and STEM. This project will support the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) as well as the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment (MoLME) of the Republic of Tajikistan to strengthen the quality of education and competency-based education in STEM fields with the use of ICTs. Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the project will start with an inception phase of six months. Within the inception period a needs assessment will be conducted to review the project elements, in particular refine the Theory of Change, the Results Framework and implementation strategy in consultation with the MoES, MoLME, development partners and other stakeholders. The needs’ assessment will include a review of the current status of the STEM education, the policy implications, curriculum development, teacher training system, assessment of students, and teaching and learning in the classroom and outside schools, including student perspectives on STEM education and factors contributing to participation, learning and educational pathways. In addition, it will also include a mapping of the ongoing work of other development partners in the field of STEM and ICT education, teacher competencies and training, to ensure synergies and complementarity. UNESCO will be hiring a team of international and national consultants to conduct the needs assessment and prepare the inception report. The team will be led by International Lead Consultant and will held a scoping mission to Tajikistan. Long Description ---------------- **Assignment:** The Contractor shall perform the following work assignments under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Almaty Cluster Office for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and the direct supervision of Education Programme Specialist. 1. Lead the overall process of needs assessment in close coordination with UNESCO Almaty and in cooperation with the team of international consultant and national consultants to be hired for the inception phase of the project. 2. Lead the scoping mission to Tajikistan to conduct the needs assessment with the team of international and national consultants to be hired for the inception phase of the project. 3. Conduct consultations, focus groups and interviews with education stakeholders to identify key challenges, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses of STEM education, its financing, including in the areas of learning and teaching materials development on STEM subjects and teacher trainings as well as infrastructure (ICT, equipment and labs) needs. 4. Conduct a mapping of the ongoing and past activities supporting in-service teacher training institutions and the upgrading of their facilities, including within the EU projects in Tajikistan, to identify the technical and equipment support needed; 5. Collect relevant information and data, both quantitative and qualitative (disaggregated by sex, age and other characteristics), on STEM education and curriculum needs, including whether learning from practical experiences (e.g. at museum, etc.) and through hands-on activities are introduced in teaching and learning (experiments, etc.); Long Description ---------------- 6. Collect data on STEM curriculum needs, including whether learning from practical experiences (e.g. at museum, etc.) and hands-on activities are introduced in teaching and learning (experiments, etc.); 7. Consolidate the collected information and data, including inputs from the team of international and national consultants and develop the overall inception report, including, but not limited to: - Feasible and manageable action plans on the status and needs of STEM education and curriculum development and teacher training system, including teaching and learning STEM, student assessment, and ICT competency standards for teachers and their relevance to existing performance appraisal/professional career; - Identified key challenges, needs, strengths and weaknesses of STEM education, its financing, learning and teaching materials development on STEM subjects and teacher trainings as well as infrastructure (ICT, equipment and labs) needs; - Proposed policy options and concrete recommendations to address identified challenges in developing STEM education model as well as teacher training system. 8. Based on the results of the inception report, provide recommendations and suggestions for the revision and finalization of the Theory of Change, the Results Framework and the implementation strategy of the project. This will be done in consultation with the team of international and national consultants, MoES, MoLME, EU and other stakeholders. Competencies (Core / Managerial) -------------------------------- Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Strategic thinking (M) Teamwork (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- ***Education*** - Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in education, public policy, social sciences or related fields. ***Work experience*** - Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in the field of education both at national and international level. - Experience with evaluating learning and development needs in international settings. - Experience working with the EU, UN or other international non-profit organizations, preferably in education development projects with the focus on Central Asia. ***Skills and competencies*** - Solid knowledge and expertise in the education sector and in reviewing different education challenges, preferably with a particular focus on STEM education, ICT and gender; - Relevant research and analytical skills to identify emerging educational needs to which an international research and training programme could make a substantial contribution, and to facilitate the exploration of new directions, methods and priorities for action. - Proven capacity to analyze data and prepare reports outlining needs assessment findings and recommendations. - Organizational skills, including in establishing plans and priorities, as well as in implementing them effectively, and devising implementation strategies that take account of and mitigate risks. - Proven leadership and managerial skills, team work, a broad general culture and sound analytical capacities, high sense of objectivity, professional integrity and political astuteness. ***Languages*** - An excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- ***Education*** - PhD degree in education or any related social sciences fields. - Other degrees or short to medium-term training in disciplines relevant to the post. ***Work experience*** - Relevant professional experience in the field of education, curriculum development and teacher training in post socialist countries. - Experience in participating in studies and missions related to education sector reviews and analysis. ***Skills and competencies*** - Solid knowledge and expertise in teacher training, teachers’ competencies and competency-based education. - Deep understanding of international organizations', including EU’s and UNESCO’s areas of work in education sector. ***Languages*** - Good knowledge of Russian or Tajik languages is an asset **Deliverables and Payments** ----------------------------- The Consultant will provide to UNESCO Almaty: 1. A needs assessment plan and the report outline **by March 31, 2022 (tentative)**, on acceptance of which the first payment shall be made. 2. A draft Inception report **by 30 April, 2022 (tentative)**, on acceptance of which the second payment shall be made. 3. A final inception report **by 30 May, 2022 (tentative)**, on acceptance of which the third (final) payment shall be made. **The deliverables with submission deadlines, the dates of the scoping mission, final fees and payment schedule will be discussed during selection of the consultant.** **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Please note that interested candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information as required below. No modifications can be made to the application submitted. Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document). The application documents should be uploaded as one file. Before uploading the file, at the end of the Employment History document, please insert extra pages with the following required information: - An up-to-date CV in English stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work. - A statement/cover letter indicating how their skills and qualifications meet requirements or the assignment. - Technical proposal discussing the approach/methodology that will be adopted to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO, the concept, methodology of work, and timeline. - Financial proposal in USD that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs per activity and excluding any travel costs and DSA from the lump sum amount. Travel costs should be calculated and presented separately. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, submitted application documents indicated above, a competency-based interview, and may include tests and/or assessments. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.