Re-advertisement of National Consultancy, Draft Professional Teachers' Bill for the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Windhoek, Namibia (For Namibia Nationals only)

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, qualified and professional teacher

Scope of Work:

The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) has introduced various reforms in the education sector to address the past inequities and to fulfill its constitutional obligation of ensuring the right to education for all citizens. The first basic education reform took place in the early 1990s and focused on promoting access, equity, quality, and a democratic education system with the second education reform implemented in 2005-2006. The Ministry is currently in its third basic education curriculum reform cycle which is informed by the Cabinet Directives based on the 2011 National Conference on Education which recommended, amongst others, the review of the national curriculum to respond to the challenges and needs of the Namibian society and improving teaching standards.

Furthermore, the National Education Conference of 2011 recommended the establishment of a Professional Council for Teachers. In 2013, the MoEAC drafted the General Education Educator Policy, with the main goal to enhance the status and image of educators under one professional body; promote the development and professional conduct of educators, regulate the conduct of the teaching profession and to ensure quality teaching and learning in schools. Also, during the 2015-2016 national and regional consultations on the review of the Education Act, 2001 (Act No 16 of 2001), recommended the establishment of Professional Teachers’ Act to ensure that teachers belong to a professional organization. The Issues Paper specifically highlighted that “a PCE (Professional Council of Educators) be established because presently there is no professional and independent body to regulate the teaching profession and the development and enhancement of teacher capacity….There was consensus that such a body would contribute to quality education through educator capacity development and the progressive realization of teaching as a career choice for those seeking to work in a professional and highly skilled field”.

The need for teachers as educators to grow their knowledge and skills throughout their careers and to adhere to professional standards has been highlighted in various national documents and legislation. Section 70 of the Education Act, 2001 (Act No. 16, 2001) makes for the provision of the establishment of a Teaching Service and Section 73 (a) and (b) indicates that: The Minister, in consultation with the Minister responsible for higher education, must, in addition to the regulations made by the Prime Minister under section 34 (1) (i) of the Public Service Act, prescribe a code of conduct for the Teaching Service which determines, among others -

(a) the professional conduct for teachers; and

(b) the procedure to be followed and the measures to be taken in case of contravention of or failure to comply with any provision of the code.

The MoEAC would like to hire a consultant to work under the leadership and coordination of the Director, Programmes and Quality Assurance (PQA). The consultant will work closely with the established Steering Committee to provide administrative and technical support during the process. Support will include organizing, facilitating and documenting outcomes of national and regional consultations and meetings. The Consultant should be familiar with the Namibian education system and other teacher training programs at regional and global level. Furthermore, the Consultant should be able to understand the processes of developing legislation and will be expected to draw on all relevant primary and secondary documentation, and to conduct discussions with key stakeholders to inform the development of the Professional Teachers’ Bill. UNICEF is seeking the services of a consultant to support the MoEAC to support the process which will lead to the development and submission of the Issues Paper and Policy Briefs to facilitate the drafting of a Professional Teachers Bill in line with the recommendations from the 2022 National Conference on Education held on 1-5 August 2022

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Consultant will review Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture's, and other relevant legislative and policy documents on education, including drawing from regional and global policies and frameworks on education and teachers’ professional development, conduct national and regional consultations and draft an Issues Paper and Policy Brief on the professionalization of teachers in Namibia.

UNICEF is seeking the services of a consultant to support the MoEAC to support the process which will lead to the development and submission of the Issues Paper and Policy Briefs to facilitate the drafting of a Professional Teachers Bill in line with the recommendations from the 2022 National Conference on Education held on 1-5 August 2022.

The consultant will undertake the following tasks to achieve the objective of the assignment:

Work Assignment Overview Tasks:

1. Review MoEAC’s, and other relevant legislative and policy documents on education, including drawing from regional and global policies and education frameworks and teachers’ professional development and develop an inception report including how the work will be done and the work plan, schedule and present to the Steering Committee.

2. Conduct national and regional consultations and interview relevant education stakeholders on their views regarding the Professional Teachers’ Act and the professional standards for educators.

3. Based on the review of literature and the national and regional consultations, produce a report highlighting all key issues from the consultations and make a presentation to the Steering Committee

4. Develop media packages for advocacy using mass media channels.

5. Following the recommendations and approval from the Steering Committee, facilitate a one-day national consultation workshop with all key stakeholders with interest in education to: 5.1 present the findings from the national and regional consultations and 5.2 present the draft Issues Paper and Policy Brief for endorsement.

6. Incorporate all comments on the Issues Paper and Policy Brief from the consultation and develop a Draft Bill on the Professionalization of Teachers.

7. Develop a Draft Bill and Policy Brief and submit to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL).

Deliverables/Outputs:

1. Detailed Inception Report including detailed methods, work plan, and suggested reporting outline, reflecting the desk review results and Draft Agenda for the national and regional consultations reviewed and approved by the Steering Committee.

2. Submission and approval by the Steering Committee of a summary of key findings from the national and regional consultations.

3. Presentation to the Steering Committee and approval of a draft report, highlighting all key issues from the consultations.

4. Media briefs approved by the MoEAC Executive Director and shared with various media channels.

5. Workshop agenda, presentations and report of the workshop outcomes submitted and approved by the Steering Committee.

6. Submission for review and approval of the Issues Paper, Policy Brief and Draft Bill by the Steering Committee and Senior Management.

7. Submission and approval of Draft Bill and Policy Brief to the Steering Committee for official submission to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL).

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

• Advanced university degree in Law with additional experience in Public Administration, Education, Project Management or related field.
• Demonstrate of proven Five (5) years of work professional experience in legal drafting.
• At least 7 years’ experience in public services management, preferably in education sector.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience in working in an international environment.
• Practical and long experience in documentation, communication and research (through previous similar assignments) to analyze, compile and synthesize information in coherent and succinct formats.
• Proven ability to:
  • handle multiple tasks under pressure with short prescheduled/ad hoc deadlines.
  • ability to work independently, seeking guidance on complex issues.
  • excellent interpersonal skills, proven team orientation and the ability to work across unit boundaries.
• Proven track record as a team member or/and a team leader.
• Experience working with Government Ministries and the UN.
• Fluency in English is required. Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English, with advanced computer skills in MS Office programmes.

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.

Administrative issues:

The selection and conditions of service of consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s Policies and General Terms and Conditions for individual consultants/contractors.

No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant/contractor. Consultant/Contractor will be required to complete mandatory online courses (e.g. Ethics, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Security) upon receipt of offer and before the signature of contract.

Consultant/Contractor will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/contractors and to share an applicable proof of health insurance prior to taking up the assignment. Consultant/Contractor will provide their own transportation for the duration of this consultancy UNICEF will not be responsible for transportation costs or arrangements related to travel for this consultancy.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates to submit an online application before the closing date.

Please submit expression of interest together with: • A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience, and expertise. • Technical Proposal demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the ToRs, the proposed methodology/approach, and timelines for the respective deliverables. • A financial proposal/budget, which must inclusive of all activities, travel and expenses related to the assignment. • Samples of relevant previous work may be requested during the selection process.

Incomplete applications e.g. without financial/budget proposal will not be considered.

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.