National Consultant to support activities in under the GPE Pilot project on Coordinating Agency for Local Education Group

Contract

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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

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Background

UNICEF Uzbekistan was Coordination Agency for the development of Education Sector Plan (ESP) for Uzbekistan for 2019-2023. The ESP was developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and in 2018 the ESP package was submitted to Global Partnership for education (GPE) for approval and in January 2019 it was approved by GPE Board. As a result of the ESP approval Government of Uzbekistan has received GPE multiplier grant of $ 9.5 million for Uzbekistan, implemented by the World Bank as part of the “Promoting Early Childhood Development project”, approved on May 29, 2019 (WB-IDA: $ 59.5 million; GPE: $ 9.5 million; Global Partnership On Output-Based Aid: $ 4.85 million). In January 2019 UNICEF stepped down in the role Coordination Agency (CA) for ESP implementation to facilitate rotation of CA role. But no CA was selected for the remaining period.

GPE proposed a Pilot of financing of administrative role within Ministry of Education/Coordinating Agency to undertake GPE-related tasks and provide administrative support to the LEG in mid- 2019. Countries selected for this were Nepal, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan. Up to $50,000 was made available to each country for the pilot.

Objective of the CA pilot is:

• • For supporting GPE‐promoted education sector coordination processes, notably LEG effectiveness, by easing the administrative burden on coordinating agencies
  • To support LEG administration processes.
  • To enhance CA resources so that there is more capacity for the CA to focus on its core role of supporting harmonized policy dialogue while also providing timely support to GPE global and country‐level processes.

In late 2019, World Bank was selected as the Grant Agent for the LEG Coordinating Agency pilot. The pilot (and use of resources) was to be completed by June 2021. After several rounds of discussion in between Ministry of Public Education (MOPE), World Bank and UNICEF, in April 2021 MOPE requested UNICEF to take over as the Grant Agent for the LEG – CA pilot and informed GPE about the decision to entrust UNICEF with this role. In early May 2021, MOPE requested GPE for an extension of the grant’s implementation period and end date to December 31, 2021 and GPE has approved the extension of the pilot. UNICEF initiated the work regarding the pilot in the 25 June, 2021 together with MOPE has developed a draft plan of activities under the CA pilot.

Several activities were proposed under the Plan under the GPE – LEG-CA pilot and include:

1. Developing website for compiling all Education related information (including data) and documentation

   • Developing a Concept Note and TOR for the creation of website
   • Compiling and classifying all relevant information (including policy notes, research studies and other documents) on Education for the website

2. Enhancing LEG Capacity for Education sector planning

• • Capacity needs assessment and development of a capacity development plan (mainly related to assessing programme outcomes and outputs related to the three priority areas and 7 action areas elaborated in the ESP 2019-2023)
  • Organizing Workshops for capacity building & materials for online training

3. Joint Sector Review (and Mid Term Review) of the ESP 2019-2023 progress

• • International and national consultants on board to facilitate
  • Desk review of all available materials
  • Online interviews with key stakeholders and LEG members
  • Focus group discussions (FDGs) with education beneficiaries and stakeholders (teachers, students, parents etc.)
  • Field visit (if possible)
  • Preparation of Aide Memoire (JSR Report) with recommendations

Objectives

UNICEF is hiring the National Consultant to provide technical support in implementation of activities under the GPE pilot for LEG Administration for Uzbekistan to ensure timely and effective delivery of tasks and activities.

Description of the Assignment Activities

Based on the developed jointly with MOPE and UNICEF Plan of Activities National Consultant will be responsible for the following main activities and tasks:

1. Development of TORs for:
   1. A National IT company for developing web site (Responsibility: UNICEF and MOPE, agreed with other LEG members;
   2. Joint Sector Review of the implementation of Education Sector Plan;
   3. Enhancing LEG Capacity for Education sector planning.
2. Coordinate with MOPE and other LEG partners and organizing monthly meetings and preparing detailed minutes.
3. Organize meeting with various stakeholders in conducting the implementation progress of ESP
4. Provide support to International Consultant in activities related to Enhancement of the LEG members’ capacity in:
   1. Coordination with the International Consultant in conducting capacity needs assessment with LEG members.
   2. Development of capacity building planning.
   3. Organizing capacity building activities.
5. Provide support to International Consultant in conducting JSR in:
   1. Collecting data and information for desk review.
   2. Conduction Situation analysis and organizing meetings with various stakeholders in conducting the implementation progress of ESP.
   3. Facilitating FGDs with LEG members, school community, teachers and students to inform the JSR.
   4. Overall coordination and liaison with MOPE and other stakeholders
6. Provide support to Chief of Education in preparation of reporting to GPE by:
   1. Drafting periodic reporting of activities (bi-monthly reports)
   2. Drafting Report in funds utilization
   3. Inputs for final report
7. Any other duties and responsibilities as required

Timeline & Deliverables

The assignment is part -time between the period of end of August – end of December 2021.

Tasks:

1. Development of TORs: a. A National IT company for developing web site (Responsibility: UNICEF and MOPE, agreed with other LEG members. b. Joint Sector Review of the implementation of Education Sector Plan. c. Enhancing LEG Capacity for Education sector planning

2. Coordinate with MOPE and other LEG partners and organizing monthly meetings and preparing detailed minutes

3. Organize meeting with various stakeholders in conducting the implementation progress of ESP

4. Provide support to International Consultant in activities related to Enhancement of the LEG members’ capacity in a. Coordination with the International Consultant in conducting capacity needs assessment with LEG members. b. Development of capacity building planning. c. Organizing capacity building activities

5. Provide support to International Consultant in conducting JSR in: Collecting data and information for desk review. a. Conduction Situation analysis and organizing meetings with various stakeholders in conducting the implementation progress of ESP. b. Facilitating FGDs with LEG members, school community, teachers and students to inform the JSR. c. Overall coordination and liaison with MOPE and other stakeholders

6. Provide support to Chief of Education in preparation of reporting to GPE by: a. Drafting periodic reporting of activities (bi-monthly reports) b. Drafting Report in funds utilization c. Inputs for final report

7. Any other duties and responsibilities as required

Deliverables & Timeline:

1. TORs developed - By the end of September 2021 2. Meeting minutes and Weekly/monthly reports - Throughout the whole period by end of December 3. Meeting minutes and Weekly/monthly reports - Throughout the whole period by end of December 4. Weekly/monthly report - October 2021 5. Weekly/monthly report - November 2021 6. Draft reports - By the end of each month; End of December

7. Weekly/monthly report - Throughout the whole period

Management

National Consultant will work under direct supervision of Chief of Education. The Consultant will be working in consultation with national partners and government officials.

Resource requirements and payments

According to UNICEF policy, the final fees will be set up based on the “best value for money” principle. Total 70 working days are allocated for accomplishment of all tasks and deliverables within the period of August - December 2021. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and provision of weekly/monthly reports of accomplished tasks and deliverables approved by the supervisor.

The candidates are requested to submit their financial offer consisting of fee for the services to be provided. The Consultant will receive direct payment to his/her indicated bank account in Uzbek Sums based on the UN currency exchange rate.

The Consultant will receive direct payment to his/her indicated bank account.

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

• Advanced University degree in education or social sciences, or related field (validated by diploma);
• At least 10 years of professional and relevant experience in education with good knowledge of Education System in Uzbekistan. Knowledge of ESP and current developments in Education would be an asset (verified by CV and/or interview).
• Work with UN/UNICEF or other international organization would be considered as an asset
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English and Russian, with preferable working Uzbek. (verified by examination of previous written work and interview

Procedures and Working Conditions

UNICEF will reserve copy right of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify materials produced at any time.

The consultant must clearly identify any potential ethical issues arising from the fulfilment of her/his tasks and duties in the framework of this assignment and ensure that s/he performs the assignment in a manner that does not expose UNICEF to any such risks.

The Consultant is expected to work independently and respond to feedback from the supervisor in a timely and professional manner, to be results driven, and to have the ability to work under pressure and meet required deadlines. The consultancy is part time assignment and requires work distantly with several in person meetings to be held as required. Several travels to regions may be undertaken. All trips will be arranged based on UNICEF rules and regulations.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract

Reservations

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if the performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) are incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copyright of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

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.