Regional Reference Guide on Recognition of Non-Formal Education (NFE)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

**BACKGROUND AND AIMS** ----------------------- Within the framework of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States’ programme which aims to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), improve access to education in Arab countries in crisis, and support educational opportunities for children whose education was interrupted because of these crises; As part of the KSRelief-funded project ‘Education for Peace: Developing Resources Packs and Core Research and Training Team for Emergency and Peace Building within the context of SDG4’ (Oct. 2019-Oct.2021) at UNESCO; Capitalizing on the [Kodrat](https://www.kodrat-unescoregional.com/) platform which is a digital training platform developed by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States in cooperation with the educational development center ‘Pedagogy’ and with funding from KSRelief, and which provides free online training courses in several educational fields and thematics, for teachers, educators, decision-makers, and other education practitioners and stakeholders in the Arab region; Short Description ----------------- Building on the existing resources and tools for the Arab region and/or other regions on the recognition and mainstreaming of Non-Formal Education (NFE); **UNESCO is planning to develop an online course on ‘Regional Reference Guide on Recognition of Non-Formal Education (NFE) in the Arab Region’ which will be tailored to the Arab region; particularly to countries in conflict/crisis, and will be made available in both English and Arabic.** The Guide that will be developed will build-on existing resources as well as be tailored to meet the particular contextual situation and needs of the Arab countries in conflict/crisis. It would include core principles and action areas as well as best practices/case studies. In this context, UNESCO Beirut Office calls for an individual consultant to develop this **customized** online course and fitting to the Arab States context and needs. **OBJECTIVES OF THE GUIDE** --------------------------- The main objective of the online course is to provide policymakers and national and local governments in the Arab region, particularly in countries facing conflict or crisis, with the necessary guidelines, frameworks and tools for the recognition on NFE, or the strengthening of an existent system. It will entail key components of a policy framework and system for the recognition of NFE and overarching guidelines for creating better synergies between the formal and non-formal education systems in the Arab countries. The course will also build on existing UNESCO resources and tools, including the [UNESCO Guidelines on the Recognition, Validation and Accreditation of the Outcomes of Non-formal and Informal Learning](https://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/recognition-validation-accreditation/unesco-guidelines-recognition-validation-and) and reports and resources by partners and other stakeholders including by the UNESCO [Institute for LifeLong Learning](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED564014.pdf); the [OECD](http://www.eucen.eu/sites/default/files/OECD_RNFIFL2010_Werquin.pdf); as well as UNESCO’s experiences in other regions such as [Asia-Pacific](http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Beirut/pdf/Recognition_of_NFE.pdf). **KEY ELEMENTS** ---------------- - Clarification of key terms and concepts - Importance of recognizing NFE - Legislative/policy foundations and considerations - Key steps in a recognition process - Quality assurance - Ensuring an integrated approach - Delivery mechanism and capacity-building needs (institutional and individual) - Assessment/learning outcomes and M&E frameworks - Consideration of certification/national qualifications framework - Coordination amongst various partners and stakeholders - Best practices/case studies on recognition of NFE **SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES** ------------------------- The outcomes to be delivered by the Consultant at the completion of this task shall consist of the following: - The content of an **online course** in English (4-5 Modules); - **A user manual** to accompany the online course; - The revision of the **Arabic translation** of the course and manual (upon UNESCO validation of the English version, the course shall be translated into Arabic by a translator hired by UNESCO); in view of the course publication, in both English and Arabic, on the [Kodrat](https://www.kodrat-unescoregional.com/) platform; - **Two regional webinars;** the first towards the start of the assignment to assess and get feedback on the region’s particularities and needs with relevant stakeholders and generate interest for the course; the second to launch and introduce the online course to targeted stakeholders. Short Description ----------------- The online course shall be first developed in English at professional level, and shall include, in addition to the key educational content, relevant case studies/good practices, illustrations, videos/animations, annexes and resources/further reading. It must include a full reference list, as well as some selected illustrations (e.g. figures, tables, graphs or photographs) to which appropriate reference is made in the text, where appropriate. Facts and figures in the documents should be carefully cited. Where necessary, acronyms can be used but these should be spelled out when used for the first time and be accompanied by a table of acronyms. The final course (and all supporting materials) will be translated into Arabic by a translator hired by UNESCO, and the consultant will revise all the translated material to ensure consistency and quality. Main deliverables shall be written in English to ensure proper peer-review can be made both internally at UNESCO and with partners as relevant. It is necessary to ensure that the course is customized and tailored to the Arab region context; and in close coordination and consultation with UNESCO. As per article XI.6 of the present contract, the author should provide UNESCO with written evidence of permission for UNESCO to reproduce or otherwise use the materials in the work in whatsoever form or language it is published by using the Permission Consent Form attached to this contract. TASKS ----- 1. Prepare and submit a methodological plan for the consultancy with key milestones and timeline; 2. Carry out desk and literature review and review similar resources used in the region or other regions; 3. Plan and deliver, in coordination with UNESCO, a regional webinar as a needs assessment/consultation with relevant stakeholders in the region to guide a tailored course development; 4. Develop a framework and a structure for the online course and for each of the course Modules, present the draft to UNESCO and integrate feedback; 5. Elaborate the content of each Module; 6. Prepare and ensure timely delivery of the first draft of the online course, present a draft to UNESCO and integrate feedback; 7. Finalize the English course based on UNESCO comments; 8. Proofread the final text once the graphic designer has worked on the layout; ix. Provide the instructional videos or animations that will be part of the online course/modules; x. Plan and deliver; in coordination with UNESCO, a regional webinar/workshop to launch the online course and introduce it to targeted stakeholders and partners (which will include Ministries of Education in Arab States in conflict/crisis); xi. Liaise with UBO team on all aspects of the assignment and seek UNESCO validation before proceeding with any activity organization and validation, as well as prior to any external communication. TASKS ----- More specifically regarding the online course, the incumbent should: 1. **Mock up the Course:** consulting UNESCO on the outlines and focused areas, and consulting relevant stakeholders through a regional webinar, the contractor will organize and curate the course components (present a working sample to review the format, content, and layout). 2. **Develop the Course Content:** develop the contextualized course comprising 4-5 modules of self-tutorial lessons and videos (including coursework such as assignments or tasks), building on available resources; and incorporating content tailored to the Arab region context. The course contents will also include video interviews of key relevant stakeholders or experts and short exemplars on successful and promising practices mostly from the region but also from other regions. Furthermore, the modules should be gamified and comprise short videos including case studies presented by experts with slideshows. 3. **Develop the Course Materials**: The course will include summary and detailed information derived from literature published by UNESCO and other recognized organizations. The materials will include concepts, frameworks, and real-life applications and case studies. **4. Supporting Materials**: In addition to the literature-based materials and real-life examples, the course will include video interviews and short documentaries about successful and promising case studies in the Arab world. Slideshows will be provided to complement the course content. - The contractor should be responsible for producing the videos, including but not limited to: - Preparing the scripts for the videos as relevant; - Selecting the voice-over talents, maintaining gender balance; - Recording the approved scripts with the selected voice-over talents in Arabic and English; - Adding a music track background for the videos (ensuring the license for online broadcast such as YouTube and UNESCO’s online platform for the online courses); - Producing the animation related to the scripts for the modules. **5. Course Delivery Modality:** The course will be offered as an asynchronous online model. This will allow learners to study at their own pace, and will reduce cumbersome administrative and academic challenges of operating synchronous courses. **-** ----- **6. Course Assessment**: Following each course module, learners will have to take a self-administered test (quiz). Learners will have to pass each test before moving to the following module. **7. Course Certificate**: Upon the successful completion of the course based on the final assessment, learners will receive an automated UNESCO certificate of completion of the course, stating their name and dates of completing the course. - **Course Dissemination**: Design and deliver a regional launching webinar (workshop style) targeting policy-makers and practitioners about the course and the user manual which orients target audiences on how to make best use of the modules, and deliver the webinar in coordination with UNESCO; provide target audiences and users guidance to facilitate their self-directed learning such as action-planning tools, guided inquiry and templates. **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Advanced university agree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, pedagogy, or related social sciences; - A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in areas related to non-formal education in the Arab region, including at both policy and practice levels; - Evidence of previous similar educational (ideally NFE) resources developed (toolkits, manuals, or courses, etc.); - Experience in contents development for online courses and good knowledge of online course design; past experience in developing a similar course (structures and contents) will be an asset; - Professional knowledge of the SDGs, especially SDG4 (Quality Education); - Good knowledge of education and development issues, including the impact of and responses to COVID-19 in the Arab region; - Previous experience in working with UNESCO, or other UN agencies, is preferable; - Demonstrated ability to work effectively and independently within a complex and multicultural environment; - Capacity to deliver high quality results within specified timelines; - Excellent research, analytical and writing skills in Arabic; - Availability and readiness to start assignment immediately (as of July 2021). **LANGUAGES** - Fluency in both written and oral English and Arabic is a requirement. French is a plus. **HOW TO APPLY** Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents to Mr. Elie Imad at : - Updated curriculum vitae (CV); including 2 references; - A statement indicating how the qualifications and experiences make you suitable for the assignment; and **confirming availability for immediately starting the assignment** (maximum two pages, A4). - A brief description (2-3 pages) of the technical approach, methodology and work plan for performing the assignment. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step may be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. This assignment will be remote/home-based along with a few potential coordination meetings at the UNESCO Beirut Office. The remuneration will be based on the UNESCO scale for individual consultants as per the current rate.