National consultant to coordinate implementation of activities implemented by CSOs within EU project, 90 w/days, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

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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, Education

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF in Tajikistan and European Union are supporting the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan (MoES) in the development of innovative mechanisms to ensure the continuity of learning for every child and adolescent under EU funded “Improving skills and competencies of adolescent girls and boys for school to work transition in Tajikistan and national support to continuity of learning within the framework of the National Education Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19”. This project started its implementation during COVID-19 pandemic and continues until the end of 2024. The project had focused on creating digital resources for grades 1 to 11 and to ensure continuity of learning beyond school. This endeavour aimed to enhance the educational content and learning experiences for students by integrating technology into the learning process.

UNICEF also provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) in development of the National Digital Roadmap in education system digital transformation in Tajikistan that has become an integral part of the government’s developed and endorsed “Concept on Transition to Digital Education until 2042” to prioritize digital transformation as national policy priority. In this regard, UNICEF continues to support MOES in ensuring the public education system to create the skilled ICT workforce needed to drive digital transformation. These include updating of the curricula, and teachers' professional development needed to educate a skilled ICT workforce, support the government in the development of the national digital competencies' framework and/or other basis for developing a digital literacy curriculum, and defining, tracking, and reporting digital skills attainment in schools.

Under the EU project, MoES together with UNICEF has developed 2,007 quality inclusive digital learning video lessons with sign languages targeting all subjects and grades (1-11) for primary and general secondary education, covering national curriculum and 172 digitized subject textbooks (in EPUB and PDF formats) to address the challenges faced by 2.2 million school age learners to access continued and quality education using technology solutions. In addition, 4,015 External Hard Drives procured for all general education institutions to deliver developed digital education materials (e.g., video lessons and EPUB/PDF textbooks) as well specialized edutainment devices and ICT equipment procured for the project targeted schools for piloting digital solutions (e.g. Small Single Board Computers (360 pcs), Monitor for Small Single Board Computer (360 pcs), Tablet with Case (750 pcs), portable Tablet Charging Case (50 pcs).

UNICEF supported the MoES to deploy on-line/off-line digital platform/learning management system with user-friendly digital education content to ensure children have uninterrupted and diversified learning opportunities as short-term (humanitarian/emergency) and long-term (development) solution for national education systems, most of which are hosted/installed on the servers at the data centre of the Republican Centre for Information Technology and Communication (RCITC) under MoES: 1. E-Library https://marifat.tj, 2. Moodle LMS https://dl.rcict.net for in-service and pre-service institutions distance learning, 3. BigBlueButton (BBB) https://vc.rcict.net for web conferencing system for online classes, 4. Learning Passport – https://tomaktabi.tj digital education platform for Early Childhood Education and 5. Maktab Mobile – Learning Management System https://maktabmobile.tj/ being finalized.

Moreover, Adolescent Competency Framework (ACF) is among these digital resources, which will be implemented in selected schools. This framework was designed to equip adolescents with the necessary skills and competencies for their personal and professional development. In parallel, a newly developed Career Counselling Programme will be launched in these schools. This Programme is intended to guide students in making informed decisions about their future careers by providing them with insights into various professions and the skills required for them. This Programme also includes development and testing of an online career counselling portal/platform.

Through these efforts, the project seeks to support development of students' competencies/improve quality of learning and prepare them for the challenges of the future.

The implementation and monitoring of the utilization of digital resources (including both digital education platforms and learning materials for grade 1-11 and ACF, Career counselling digital resources) at school levels/Centre for Additional Education (CAE) will be done through several implementing partners (IP), i.e., Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under selection process. To coordinate/harmonize activities of CSOs in line with the overall objective of the project, a national coordinator will be sought to oversee the operationalization and institutionalization of all activities within an EU project such as the digital education platforms and resources (grade 1-11), Adolescent Competency Framework and skills/Career Counselling, and support in preparation of a National Conference.

The primary responsibility of the coordinator will be leading and coordinating the efforts of project team members in the Learning and Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) sections to ensure effective implementation of activities managed by IP (e.g., CSOs) in line with EU funded project. Additionally, the consultant will be tasked to do monitoring of progress against goals and objectives, identify potential issues or risks affecting project execution, and organizing significant project events aligning with project objectives.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Tajikistan is looking for experienced national consultant for provision of support for coordination and management of several CSOs to ensure smooth the project implementation and timely reporting. The consultant is expected to coordinate and liaison with key state partners under the MoES, MoLMEP and CSOs team members, and monitor the project activities progress towards projects objectives and indictors achievement.

DUTY STATION/DURATION: Duration: 90 working days between 15 June 2024 - 15 January 2025 Supervisor: Education Officer, UNICEF Tajikistan

This consultancy is aligned to support the implementation of the following EU funded project outputs: Output 1.1. Strengthened capacities of teachers and management staff in general and vocational education in competency-based education and entrepreneurship. Output 1.2 – Career guidance programmes in general education and VET (at national, regional and school level) established Output 1.3. Strengthened capacities of Centers for Additional Education to promote skills for employability to adolescents. Output 2.2. Mechanism for distance learning and skills acquisition (TV programme, digital platforms) deployed and launched.

Tasks/Milestone: (in line with the scope elaborated in section-III)

Deliverables/Outputs:

Anticipated Timeline

% of payment

Preparatory work for oversight and results management of activities by national CSOs under EU project

Develop CSOs activities progress tracking tools to notify delays and recommend mitigation measures, (progress tracking tools developed)

Progress tracking tools piloted and improved (final tools developed)

Development of training plans and schedule in coordination with stakeholders (training plans developed)

Develop a monitoring schedule/plan to be reviewed monthly (monitoring schedule plan developed)

15.06.2024 to 30.06.2024

10 days

10%

Monitoring and reporting of activities in a timely manner (first half).

Acquire project reports from CSOs, verify its accuracy(quality assurance). In case of unclarity, seek for clarifications to CSOs (quality assurance reports submitted).

Conduct field visits and provide reports including the progress against indicators (reports submitted). (3 field visits)

01.07.2024 to 30.09.2024

25 days

30%

Monitoring and reporting of activities in a timely manner (second half).

Acquire project reports from CSOs, verify its accuracy(quality assurance). In case of unclarity, seek for clarifications to CSOs (quality assurance reports submitted). (3 field visits)

Conduct field visits and provide reports including the progress against indicators (reports submitted).

01.10.2024 to 31.12.2024

25 days

30%

Analytical reports developed on CSO activities, including conducted trainings, summary analysis of pre-and post-test surveys, reporting against indicators) (one on ACF and one on digital education)

01.10-31.12.2024

15 days

15%

Support in organizing EU project events and preparing documents and reports.

Develop 2-3 (estimate) concept notes for events jointly with stakeholders (e.g., Competency Based Education, Digitization) (concept notes developed)

Develop 2-3 (estimate) meeting agendas developed

Organize events management services (catering, venue, equipment, translations etc.,) with Operation section (events organized)

Contribute to 2-3 visibility/advocacy materials development with CAP section (materials developed).

Reports on the event submitted (e.g., reports and feedbacks on Competency Based Education, Digitization).

01.07 to 30.11.2024

15 days

15%

Total

90 days

100%

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

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, project management, statistics, social science or other relevant fields.
• Work Experience: At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in education and/or lifelong learning, in project management, monitoring or other relevant fields. Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including government and local education authorities, with UNICEF and other UN or development agencies is an asset.
• Technical Knowledge: • Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, data collection of projects in the field of education, youth, social science domains. • Working experience with local public organizations is an asset • Experience in facilitation of training/workshops is an asset.
• Skills: Strong coordination skills. • Ability to work with large teams and working with people. • Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills with stakeholders. Good analytical and writing skills in English. • Drive for results: Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik is also required.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application/CV.
• A technical proposal with proposed approach to managing the consultancy deliverables, showing understanding of tasks.
• Financial proposal specifying consultancy fee, per day of work, requested for the tasks described in the Terms of Reference in TJS as well as travel and subsistence costs: 16 trips between July – Dec 2024 and DSA for 30 days.

• Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

  Applications must be received in the system by 29 May 2024 on UNICEF website

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.

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Added 1 month ago - Updated 27 days ago - Source: unicef.org