Self-Learning Programme (SLP), Child level-Monitoring System (CMS), and Memory Game National Database Developer

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, Education

BACKGROUND:

The protracted conflict in Syria has had a devastating effect on the country and its people including the education sector. Currently, 6.1 million school-age children and youth in and out of school are in need of education assistance. Close to two million school-age children (5-17 years old) have been displaced as a result of the conflict, and many of them on multiple occasions. The lack of protective inclusive learning environments, coupled with a shortage of appropriate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, seriously hinders regular schooling. Over 7,000 schools – one in three – have been fully destroyed, partially damaged, or are being used as shelters for displaced families or for military and other purposes. A pervasive sense of fear and psychological distress have emerged among children, parents, teachers and community members, who are reluctant to send their children to school, even when schools are operational. All of these factors have resulted in more than two million children being out of school (36 percent) in the 2016-17 academic year, with many additional children at risk of dropping out.

As of late July 2018, an estimated 445,200 school-age children live in communities in hard to reach areas where education support is urgently needed to support and revive the education system. However, many students have been out of school for more than five years. In 2,114 communities (40 percent), child labor plays a primary role in keeping children out of school, and there have been reports of an upward trend in child marriage for girls, although the scope is unknown.

The development of quality alternative education modalities has become critical to reach those children out of school and support their reintegration in formal education as well as the retention of those in school. It is against this backdrop that the Self-Learning Material (SLM) and the Self-Learning Programme (SLP) were developed as one of the few non-formal education programme available in Syria.

The Self-Learning Programme (SLP) enables children with limited or no access to school to continue their learning at home, in NGOs centers or in community learning centers. It helps them prepare for the national exam, ultimately offering a pathway for reintegration to formal education. The SLP adopts a community-based approach to out-of-school children in both government and nongovernment-controlled areas, working directly with NGOs and communities so that ownership and accountability for the education of out-of-school children in very disadvantaged locations is shared between relevant authorities and the communities. The programme focuses on children between 6 and 19 years covering Grades 1 to 9 (1 to 6 covered under EAC funded project). Key to the SLP is the self-learning material (SLM). Fifty different SLM, covering subjects such as Arabic, English, mathematics, and science are available.

From 2016 the programme has reached out-of-school children country wide with implementation in both accessible and hard-to-reach areas country wide. UNICEF’s implementation of the SLP is a community-based outreach for children out of school who have missed out on regular schooling due to insecurity, multiple displacement, lack of formal education opportunities and other constraints.

Under the WoS framework, and with the support of Educate a Child (EAC) and US funds, UNICEF is identifying ways to scale- up the SLP implementation in Syria to increase access to education for vulnerable, displaced out-of-school Syrian children affected by the protracted crisis, including those living in hard-to-reach and besieged areas with limited or no access to education. Displaced out-of-school Syrian children will be targeted as following:

• Boys and girls who are mainly 6-19 years old (grades 1-6 as per EAC-US targets). Though the overall goal of the SLP is to benefit OOSC in grades 1-9, the OOSC reached can include children who are over-aged but are at the grades 1-6 educational levels.
• Boys and girls who miss out on schooling for more than one month
• Boys and girls who have no access to school in their community, including those in hard-to-reach and besieged areas.
• The SCO Education section in collaboration with MENA Regional Office and Lebanon Country Office (LCO) Innovation/SPPME is devising a child level M&E framework to report on Self Learning Programme through the development of a systematic data collection and analysis system, called the SLP-Child Monitoring System (CMS). The purpose of this routine monitoring system is to obtaining data that will inform programme’s progress, strengths and bottlenecks.

The SLP-CMS involves low-cost innovative technology which aims at replacing paper-based data collection at the partner and UNICEF field office level with a secure online database. This system integrates KoBo as a user-friendly data entry tool and Power BI as an analytical tool in a web-based platform. And builds on the experience at MENARO and LCO level.

From March 2020 UNICEF launched the first phase of CMS database over Postgre database and Python on Azure server. Records for children was entered and imported to the platform to test and cover first 2 quarters of 2020 retroactively (20,000 records). the database and functions was developed according to UNICEF Syria requirement and tested successfully.

Due to COVID 19 UNICEF Syria designed the memory card game and distributed more than 250,000 printed copy of the game. After the success of this game digitizing it will accelerate the reach for all children they have mobile phones, access to mobile phones or access to web via laptops/desktop. This will require designing 2 versions of the game that are compatible with the diversified devices available in Syria.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY:

Under the guidance and general supervision of Information Management Officer (NOA) in the NFE team, the Database Developer provides the SCO education section with the expertise in:

1. Activate, revise and run/dock and collect information for the CMS Database
2. Add / modify the Child unique ID to be more user friendly and quarantine zero duplication
3. Expand the platform to Include more programmes beside Self Learning
4. Add reporting/output mechanism for 4Ws to extract reports
5. Edutainment memory game design web app
6. Edutainment memory game design mobile app.

LOCATION:

Off-site working days: (5 months upon deliverables) The consultant will be home based in Syria

DURATION:

Estimated Start Date: 15 December 2020

Estimated End Date: 14 May 2021 (5 months)

The selected consultant will work for the period of 5 months before the 2nd quarter of 2021. The exact schedule of the activities will be agreed with the consultant based on the consultancy implementation progress. The online tracking system to be used to ensure timely completion of deliverables/follow up as per assigned responsibilities. Report of progress against the deliverables (as per the workplan) due after each deliverable finalization.

SUPERVISOR: The consultant will be supervised and report to the UNICEF Information Management Officer (NFE team) with regular de-briefing with the UNICEF Chief of Education about the progress of the consultancy. The consultant will work remotely with weekly briefing for the progress and extensive meeting with the Information Management Officer.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT (TASKS, SMART DELIVERABLES, DEADLINES)

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

It is required that the Monitoring Tools Developer has at least 2 years’ experience with demonstrated results in all of the following areas:

• Excellent software development skills with Python, Django, SQL, PostgreSQL, Git and similar technologies.
• Excellent Front End Development skills with HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, ReactJS
• Excellent understanding of web application development and mobile Apps.
• Strong knowledge of Business Intelligence tools and analysis databases (OLAP).
• Background experience with the UN platforms and web solutions (Experience of at least one year).
• University degree in Computer Science or related field such as Information Technology, Information Systems or other engineering discipline
• Fluency in English and Arabic.

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 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.