National consultant to support CAE to digitize Adolescent Competency Framework -Competence-based Learning Programme for ongoing Students Council activates

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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,

Background One of the objectives of UNICEF Tajikistan Country Programme for 2016-2020 is to unlock the potential of adolescents, by empowering them and involving them as drivers of development and advocates of inclusive, tolerant and peaceful societies. To reach this goal, UNICEF programmes, in particular Learning and Second Decade programmes, within the new Country Programme focus in investing in adolescents - learning, development and their full participation in school and community life. This is done through interventions specifically designed for adolescents in formal and non-formal education settings, as well as system strengthening through capacitating teachers and other education stakeholders and creating adequate conditions at schools for quality inclusive education. To achieve the above-mentioned outcome, in 2017 UNICEF Tajikistan developed an Adolescent Competency Framework (hereinafter ACF), which outlines ten core competencies that every adolescent in the country needs for successful learning and transition to life and work.

On March 12, 2020, WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, calling all countries to take actions to contain and mitigate the impact of the outbreak. Since then, confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide, and in Tajikistan it was reported by May 2020 and as a result all schools were closed. Within this context, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a long-lasting impact on education and psychosocial wellbeing of children, calling for immediate action.

The ongoing response includes the following components:

• Interactive Mobile Platform "Maktab Mobil" with online and offline modes of operation;
• TV lessons targeting core subjects and grades and ages, starting from children of preschool age and further to school age at all levels of education;
• Development of practical and competency based digital resources and materials to empower Student Councils, teachers, students to support council's self-organization and learning by strengthening of activities of the Centers of Additional Education (CAE).

PURPOSE: The objective of this consultancy is to digitize ACF modules and Students Council guide (produce relevant audio, video, animations, simulations, short student's activity toolkit in EPUB) for students self-learning. Specific objectives of the assignment include:

1. Develop comprehensive workplan for digitization of ACF Modules (lesson plans and assessment module) harmoniously synchronize them with Students Councils activates;
2. Developing 15 short video scenarios and toolkit covering specific aspect of themes presented in ACF modules and Students Councils guide;
3. Present digital content to CAE specialists, learners and stakeholder.

The national consultant will work in close consultation with UNICEF, Tajikistan and all involved partners and stakeholders to develop a) comprehensive framework for digitization; and b) digitize the Adolescent Competency Framework (ACF)- Competency based Learning Programme for distant and continuous learning using "Maktab Mobile" and other online and offline platforms developed by UNICEF and partners. It is expected that the digitize resources will help UNICEF, and the MOES institutions use the resources for adolescents continuous learning and collect evidence for their replication and scale up within the country.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: The consultant is expected to provide high quality documentation products, as per below

1. Assess the ACF curriculum developed by UNICEF Tajikistan and provide technical and pedagogical guidance on the most appropriate digital formats to adopt and use exiting cross curriculum themes for synchronizing ACF and SC Guide. Note that, the multimedia learning approach with a mixture of video, text, audio, animations and simulations are most preferred in this task. The developed product should have clear introduction - individual task and learning with video and materials - learning assessment.
2. Work with the CAE to select 15 critical subjects related to SC activities in schools that can be transformed into digital format for use.
3. Draft 15 short creative video scenarios based on themes given in the modules. Work with identified creative agency to film the videos and provide constant support and feedback on the process.
4. Present to UNICEF team the outcome of the digitization of the ACF modules, indicating the framework for harmonization with SC Guide.
5. Carry out the digitization of the two selected modules, presenting them in different graphics: animation, video, texts, audio, simulations etc.
6. Share the first draft of the work done for review and comment on its improvement.
7. Submit final edited digital content of the two selected courses for digitization to UNICEF.
8. Capacity building for CAE specialist and other stakeholders.

THEMES FOR DIGITIZATION UNICEF Tajikistan identified 12 challenging circumstances that many adolescents in Tajikistan faced, using the most relevant publications on adolescents in the country. The Government of Tajikistan, in fact, also acknowledged the importance of adopting a more competent approach that should provide students with the possibility of mastering key competencies and social skills in its strategy for education. Below are 10 competencies identified to address adolescents challenges. They are a mix of social and emotional skills, functional and technical knowledge, and behaviors and attitudes that a learner can apply to have meaningful and balanced life. They were relevant because they would (a) support the four identified macro-areas of adolescent development, (b) address the key vulnerabilities and challenges faced by Tajik adolescents, (c) expand the traditional understanding of learning, (d) help create an enabling environment for adolescents to realize their potentials, and (e) benefit adolescents throughout their lives.

The 12 challenging circumstances: - Self-awareness of rights and needs;- Participation;- Not in education, employment or training (NEET); unsafe and illegal work; exploitation;- Poverty and marginalization;- Migration;- Risky and unhealthy behaviour;- Violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination;- Psychological and mental suffering;- Child marriage and pregnancy; -Gender stereotypes; -Contact and conflict with the law; and- Violence and conflict.

UNICEF Tajikistan selected the following 10 core competencies to address challenges: - Identity and self-esteem;- Managing emotions;- Leadership;- Negotiation;- Communication;- Problem-solving;- Creativity and innovation;- Critical thinking;- Cooperation;- Goal setting and hope for the future.

UNICEF Tajikistan, at this stage, further identified four interrelated macro areas for supporting adolescents in Tajikistan, namely:

- Participate meaningfully;- Access and completion of quality inclusive education;- Experience physical, mental and social wellbeing; and- Access to skills for employability.

In addition, UNICEF Tajikistan adopts the IBE/UNESCO classification of four dimensions of learning in developing the ACF subsequently and in classifying the competencies identified accordingly. The four dimensions are:

- cognitive (learning to know and how to know);- Individual (learning to be);- Social (learning to live);- Instrumental (learning to do).

This understanding of learning arguably contrasts the more traditional and knowledge-based understanding of learning that focuses on passing on knowledge, with learners being passive receivers and with the knowledge not being actively and meaningfully applied by learners in relatable social settings.

KEY DELIVERABLES and PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

#

Tasks/Milestone

Deliverables/Outputs

Number of days

Timeline

Payment schedule

1

Develop methodology for digitization of ACF and SC Guide

Approved final methodology for digitization of ACF and SC Guide

2

By 5th March 2021

5%

2

Draft work-plan with CAE for carrying out digitization of ACF and SC Guides

Approved work-plan for carrying out digitization of ACF and SC Guides

3

By 20 March 2021

3

Drafting 25 creative video scenarios to be shared with creative agency for filming

Approved 25 creative video scenarios to be shared with creative agency for filming

10

By 10 April 2021

40%

4

First draft of the digitized resources (clear introduction – learning resources - assessment)

Digitized ACF with clear and thoghtful learning process incorporated

20

By 15 May 2021

30%

5

Final draft of the digitized resources

Digitize approved ACF

10

By 30 June 2021

6

Organizing meeting to discuss the final ACF product

Advocacy presentation and training of CAE based on developed resources

10

By 15 July 2021

25%

Total

55 days

100%

Note: Due to COIVD-19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation.

Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 55 working days spread over a period ranging from February 2021 till 15 July 2021.

Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Supervision: The national consultant will receives ongoing and day-to-day supervision from the Education Specialist.

**Reporting to****: Chief, Learning, UNICEF Tajikistan

Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations. Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below.

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information.

Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings. The link will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

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

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1) Education: University degree in Education, technology and M&E or a relevant field.

• Expertise in development of resources for distant learning, self learning, worksheets and preferable excellent understanding of competency based education.
• The individual should be highly proficient in a range of PC/web applications, including but not limited to: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, and and Movie Maker.

2) Work experience: - A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in curriculum development, resource development for distant and home learning. Experience in conducting digitization of the resources related to education and skill building activates. - It is preferable that the individual has experience with, or in, multilateral institutions that work with education reform and competency based education. Knowledge of UNICEF context essential.

3) Competencies: - Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills.- Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills with stakeholders.- Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe.- Expertise in development of training materials for adolescents.- Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.

4) Language: - Excellent written and verbal communication in English- Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik an asset.

REQUIREMENTS: Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate (as well as travel and subsistence costs, as applicable).
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least two references

Queries can be sent to: tad-procurement@unicef.org with subject line "National consultant to support CAE to digitize Adolescent Competency Framework -Competence-based Learning Programme for ongoing Students Council activates" Applications must be received in the system by 10th February 2021 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the "best value for money"principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS: Individual consultant will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria. During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 70 to 30.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 70 points)

Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response-15pts

Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal-15pts

Quality of proposed approach/methodology-10pts

Quality of proposed work plan-10pts

University degree in Education, technology and M&E or a relevant field-7pts

A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in curriculum development, resource development for distant and home learning. Experience in conducting digitization of the resources related to education and skill building activates-7pts

Excellent written and verbal communication in English. Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik an asset-6pts.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal: Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in TJS) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR. The formula for the rating of the Financial Proposals will be as follows: FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

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 http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org