National Consultant - Lao PDR Teacher Policy Development

Consultant

Overview

Provide support for developing Lao PDR's comprehensive national teacher policy.

You have:

• At least 10 years of professional experience in the management of education systems, training and policy development.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Excellent command in Lao, and very good command in spoken and written English.
• Advanced university degree in education, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of the education system, particularly teacher education, in Lao PDR.

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED) Duty Station: Bangkok 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) : 4-FEB-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Background and Rationale:** The Lao Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) is committed to ensuring that “teachers and educators are empowered, adequately recruited, well-trained, professionally qualified, motivated, and supported within well-resourced, efficient and effectively governed systems”. The country has embarked on the development of the first-ever comprehensive national teacher policy that covers all dimensions of the teaching profession, as an integrated component of the Education and Sports Sector Development Plan (ESSDP) 2021-2025, with the support of UNESCO Bangkok and other development partners working in the areas of education and teacher education. The MoES has established a Responsible Committee on the Development and Improvement of Teacher Policy in Lao PDR (Ref. Ministerial Agreement no. 2262/MoES.2020, dated 24 June 2020. In this connection, UNESCO Bangkok, under its “Capacity Development for Education (CapED) in Lao PDR: Capacity Development Support for Teacher Education in Lao PDR Programme”, is supporting the MoES in the development of a comprehensive national teacher policy that serves as an overarching framework for effective implementation of teacher-related policies already in place and for developing new legislation to close significant policy gaps. Long Description ---------------- In 2020, UNESCO Bangkok carried out a mapping and situation analysis of teacher-related laws, decrees and strategies. The study examined relevant legal documents and identified achievements, strengths, challenges and gaps, with a view to informing the development of a comprehensive, holistic teacher policy. It also analysed the documents in light of the nine dimensions of the [Teacher Policy Development Guide](https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370966) (TPDG), published by UNESCO and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030. The key findings show that Lao PDR has three laws, one draft law and 34 decrees, agreements guidelines and other legal documents related to teachers. It was also found that the existing teacher-related legal documents are aligned with most of the major components of the nine dimensions, except for the teacher career path dimension. In addition, the study has drawn a set of 13 recommendations for the development of a comprehensive teacher policy. In 2021, the MoES has appointed two committees responsible for drafting and for reviewing legislation concerning the national teacher policy (Ref. Ministerial Agreement no. 2321/MoES, dated 7 July 2021). Guided by the TPDG (also available in [Laotian](https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000235272)), the drafting process kicked off in mid-July 2021. At the end of 2021, the National Drafting Committee has drafted the nine interlocking dimensions for the teacher policy as identified in the TPDG, and an additional dimension on teachers in crises and emergencies to ensure that the teacher policy is crisis sensitive. The draft of each dimension is at different stages. The first four dimensions have been reviewed by relevant stakeholders at the first national consultation workshop held in December 2021 whereas the remaining six dimensions require a few further rounds of reviews and revisions. To further support the drafting process until its completion as well as the development of an accompanying costed implementation plan for the 10 dimensions of the teacher policy, UNESCO Bangkok is looking for a national expert to provide technical support to the National Drafting Committee. The national expert will be working closely with an international expert throughout the process. **Objectives:** The overall objective is to work in a team with an international expert, to provide support and accompany the National Drafting Committee in the policy development process, particularly in the following areas: \- Updating the road map to reflect the essential remaining phases of the development of the comprehensive national teacher policy in Lao PDR; \- Co-facilitation of workshops (onsite or online depending on COVID-19 travel recommendations) to enhance capacity of the National Drafting Committee on drafting and revising a comprehensive national teacher policy, according to the updated road map; \- Supporting the National Drafting Committee in the development of the implementation plan for the 10 dimensions of the comprehensive national teacher policy; and \- Provision of technical support for the National Drafting Committee in the drafting, review, revision, validation and finalization of the national teacher policy. **Expected Outcomes:** The main expected outcomes are as follows: \- Road map for the development of a comprehensive national teacher policy updated; \- Documents/activity reports available; \- Comprehensive national teacher policy drafted, integrating a costed implementation for the various dimensions of the teacher policy. **Methodology:** The overall process of drafting a comprehensive national teacher policy is defined in a Teacher Policy Development Guide. In line with the updated road map, a series of drafting and revision workshops and consultation meetings at the national and subnational levels will be organized for the development process. Feedback on the draft documents will be provided by the National Review Committee, appointed by the MoES, as well as the national and international experts in the form of written feedback within a given time period, and by the participants of national and subnational consultation workshops in the form of oral feedback. It is important to recall that all the actions are carried out using a participatory approach under the coordination of the Department of Teacher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports. **Assignments:** The national expert will perform the tasks under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the direct supervisions of the Chief of Section for Inclusive Quality Education (IQE). The national expert shall provide technical support in the development process of a comprehensive national teacher policy in Lao PDR. The national expert is required to work closely with the international expert (to be identified by UNESCO) throughout the process. Specifically, the national expert shall perform the following assignments: **1) Prior to the workshops/meetings and any identified activities**: - Communicate with all identified key players in Lao PDR and support coordination at the country level; - Propose an updated road map which is regularly revised for the development of the comprehensive national teacher policy, jointly with the international expert; - Review the outline of the comprehensive national teacher policy and the draft dimensions 1 to 10 (Lao version), and provide feedback and constructive comments for the National Drafting Committee, in a coordinated manner with the identified international expert; - Provide advice and guidance for the development of the implementation plan for the 10 dimensions of the teacher policy; - Participate in regular online meetings with UNESCO Bangkok and the international expert to plan and prepare for each workshop/meeting; - Prepare workshop/meeting materials, in consultation with the identified international expert, in particular the concept notes and workshop agendas, as necessary; **2) During the workshops/meetings and any other identified activities**: - Ensure capacity building of the National Drafting Committee through learning by doing, and encourage their full participation throughout the drafting process of a comprehensive national teacher policy and to create a sense of national ownership of the policy; - Support the identified international expert in the co-facilitation of the workshops/meetings (onsite facilitation) and provide technical inputs towards improving the draft policy; - Support the drafting of a costed implementation plan for the 10 dimensions of the teacher policy; Long Description ---------------- **3) After the workshops/meetings and any other identified activities**: - Review and provide comments on the draft teacher policy, including the implementation aspects (Lao version); - Provide technical guidance, support, feedback and comments to the National Drafting Committee during the revision process; - Finalize the Lao version of the complete draft of the comprehensive national teacher policy, and ensure that it is aligned with the finalized English version. This should include a costed implementation plan for the 10 dimensions of the teacher policy (Lao version). The national expert, with support of the National Technical Committee and UNESCO Bangkok, shall make all relevant supporting documents available to the identified international expert and facilitate exchanges with key players identified for the policy document review. The specific tasks of the national and international experts and the deliverables can be found in [Annex 1](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/106BLdbr6ys80iq-SGnVYClqdATHG3mKm?usp=sharing). *In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the individual consultant is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.* **Deliverables and Timeframe:** Deliverables shall be submitted to UNESCO Bangkok in English and/or Laotian. Feedback from UNESCO Headquarters and Bangkok Office, the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 as well as the National Review Committee on the comprehensive national teacher policy will be provided to the national expert within two weeks from the submission date of each deliverable. Overall supervision and technical guidance will be provided by UNESCO Bangkok, UNESCO Headquarters and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 through regular communication by distance (via email, phone, Zoom/Teams). To the extent possible, the national expert shall reflect comments and suggested modifications. The assignment should be carried out during the period from **15 February to 30 June 2022**. The national expert is expected to submit the following deliverables to UNESCO Bangkok. 1. Relevant materials for the first workshop, including the concept note and agenda, in English, by **25 February 2022**; 2. Relevant materials, including the concept note and agenda, for subsequent workshops to revise, validate and finalize the draft national teacher policy and to develop a costed implementation plan of the national teacher policy, in English, by **31 March 2022**; 3. The revised draft of dimensions 5 to 10 of the national teacher policy, Lao version, by **16 May 2022**; 4. A draft costed implementation plan of the national teacher policy, Lao version, by **31 May 2022**; and 5. The final draft of the entire comprehensive national teacher policy, including the final costed implementation plan, Lao version, by **30 June 2022**. **Travel clause**: The individual consultant may be required to travel on mission directly related to programme/projects and implementation during the assignment. The individual consultant should travel economy class and receive DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). However, lower rates may be paid where negotiated by the staff member responsible for the contract. DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. Individual consultant is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Possess at least 10 years of professional experience in the management of education systems, training and policy development; - Strong analytical and research skills; - Excellent command in Lao, and very good command in spoken and written English; - Advanced university degree in education, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields; and - Strong understanding of the education system, in particular teacher education, in Lao PDR. Long Description ---------------- **APPLICATION PROCESS** ----------------------- Interested candidates should click on “**Apply Now**” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in **‘Employment History Form / My Documents’**. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information: - An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work - A brief technical proposal (1-2 pages) discussing the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment - The proposed fee in US dollars to undertake the assignment. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately. The complete application shall be submitted on or before **4 February 2022, 17:00 Bangkok time**. Note: • Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process. • Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. Only if you are unable to attach requirements in system, please inform us at [email protected]. **Assessment:** Evaluation of qualified applicants will include the review of the curriculum vitae, technical proposal and proposed consultancy fee. UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization best value for money. **Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.** **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain 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. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) 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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.unesco.org