National Consultancy to develop guidelines for teacher to help children deal with COVID-19 related anxieties

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.

For every child in Sri Lanka, a childhood, a future and a fair chance.

How can you make a difference?

*Goal and Objective*****: The main objective will be to support the teams in the Provincial Departments of Education in identifying the challenges faced by teachers and the emerging PSS (Psychosocial Support) needs among students and teachers and develop practical guidelines for teachers to 1) to help children deal with the COVID-19 related anxieties and adapt in the ‘New normal’ environment and 2) for teachers to maintain their own emotional well-being. With support from UNICEF, the content would need to be developed in consultation with the Provincial Departments of Education and the Ministry of Education, where possible.

Activities and Tasks: Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Education, the National Consultant will work with and report to the Education Officer to:

1. Identify emerging PSS needs of children and teachers during this ‘new normal situation’, through designing and implementing a base-line survey with support from the Provincial Education Departments.
2. Review the existing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) materials and guidelines developed by the provincial and zonal education authorities (and other institutions where applicable) for providing PSS to children and teachers.
3. Identify the role of different stakeholders (class teachers, subject teachers, guidance and counselling teachers and principals in schools and Assistant Directors, In-Service Advisors and Divisional Education Officers) in the Education system in providing conducive environment for children that supports physical and mental well-being.
4. Develop simple guidelines for teachers to help children in:
   1. dealing with their emotional anxieties related to COVID 19, including exam stress
   2. adopting to the new teaching and learning process, including on line and off line methods.
   3. build positive attitude towards their career and future by getting necessary guidance from subject specific experts.
   4. support each other in class rooms, school, family and community

5. Develop an outline for training master trainers for training all the teachers on the above newly developed guidelines.

6. Develop simple guidelines 1) for principals to help teachers in handling the demand of new normal situation and 2) Provide tips/techniques for teachers to maintain their emotional well-being.

7.Conduct a Training of Trainers (ToT) to the Mater trainers /the provincial Resource team established in Northern and Eastern Provinces. 8.Develop pre and post test questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of this training

9.Provide guidance to develop a monitoring tool for the provincial team to monitor the delivery of this training at the grass-root levels. 10. Provide guidance on developing a draft Terms of Reference to the Provincial forum on PSS.

Work relationships:

The national consultant will work with the Education Officer to establish linkages and liaise with relevant stakeholders as and when required during the process.

Outputs/Deliverables:

1. Identify emerging PSS needs of children and teachers during this ‘new normal situation’, through desinging and implementing a base-line survey with support from the Provincial Education Departments; and review of the existing MHPSS materials

2. Identify the role of different stakeholders including class teachers, subject teachers, guidance and counselling teachers and principals in schools and Assistant Directors, In-Service Advisors and Divisional Education Officers in the provision of MHPSS services to students

3. Develop guidelines for teachers to help children deal with COVID-19 related anxieties and help them adopt to the ‘new normal’ environment; This includes guidelines for teachers to provide children with career guidance and create a supportive environment in schools.

4. Develop guidelines 1) for principals to help teachers in handling the demand of new normal situation and 2) Provide tips/techniques for teachers to maintain their emotional well-being

5. Develop and Training of Trainers (ToT) outline and conduct ToT to Mater trainers/the Provincial Resource team established in Northern and Eastern Provinces on the newly developed guidelines; Develop pre and post test questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of this training

6. Provide guidance to the provincial resource team to develop a monitoring tool and a Terms of Reference to the Provincial forum on PSS.

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

• The National Consultant should have a masters or higher degree in the social science, psychology , Education or any other relevant fields.
• • Proven track record of experience in technical review and development of teacher manuals.
  • Communication and interpersonal skills to steer and facilitate discussions.
  • Knowledge and experience in behavior change communication related work as an advantage
  • Evidence of contextual knowledge of the psychosocial upport, including counselign in the school system and knowledge of the education system, PSS tools and application would be an advantage.

  Years of experience: 5-7 years of practical experience in the field of education, psychology/counselling, social work or associated field.

  Competencies: Ability to engage constructively with governments and other partners/stakeholders at national and sub-national levels.

Languages required: Excellent language skills in English and either Sinhala or Tamil.

• 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.

View our competency framework at

Competency Framework Brochure

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:

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.