Senior National Consultant to support the Organizational Audit of the Ministry of Education, Guyana

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, a fair chance

How can you make a difference?

To be the lead technical national officer giving support to the International Consultant in the development and execution of the organizational audit of the Ministry of Education in Guyana

Background

The Guyana Ministry of Education (MoE) with support from UNICEF, developed and is implementing its Education Sector Plan 2021 to 2025 (referred to as "ESP"). With ambitious targets set for the cycle, the ESP’s major focus is to contribute to employability and the reduction of poverty by increasing performance at all levels and to reducing the disparity between sub-groups.

Reviewing lessons learned from previous plans over three cycles, the MoE recognises education managers’ tendency towards crisis management responses rather than prioritizing planning for the future. This work ethic must be corrected if the current plan is to effectively transition to action so as to ensure achievement of the ambitious objectives One recurring complaint across the sector is of “the overwhelming amount of time spent in the meetings which have no real output”. The priority now is to address this systemic management challenges at all levels of the system.

More recently, Heads of Education Departments complained about the number of unplanned activities initiated at both central and regional levels, which they must implement, and which distract from their planned program. There is therefore the risk that strategic priorities may be neglected for issues that may be more urgent but less important. This reality is most witnessed within the Regional Education Departments which are particularly vulnerable because they are subject to two levels of supervision. On the one hand, all fiduciary matters for the education sector in the Region are controlled by their direct supervisor, the Regional Executive Officer. On the other hand, the Central Ministry, the second supervisor, develops policies for implementation plans. In this case, the resources needed for implementation may not always be possible with the funds allocated and priorities identified by the Regional authorities. .

The MoE is cognizant of the fact that the success of the ESP depends on the capacities of those departments and groups responsible for implementation. The essential actors in this regard are the Planning Unit (PU), the Inspectorate Unit, the Policy Implementation and Monitoring Unit (PIMU), the National Center for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), and the Regional Education Departments. In this context, an organizational audit of these key units in Guyana's education sector is required to assess their capacity, strengths and shortfalls that affect their abilities to lead the implementation of the strategic plan. Specifically, the audit will help define the actions necessary to ensure that these units/departments have appropriate human capital, are well-structured and adequately resourced with relevant incentives so that they can focus on implementing the strategic plan and increasing students' learning achievements.

The MoE has requested UNICEF to recruit a Senior National Consultant to be the technical National Officer giving support to the International Consultant in the development and execution of the organizational audit of the MoE.

Scope of work

The Senior National Consultant will be guided by and work closely with the Lead International Consultant, the UNICEF Education Specialist, and the Organizational Audit Committee of the Ministry of Education. He or she will be responsible for advising the International Officer on the context and nuances of programming within and across national and sub national priorities. Specifically, he or she will undertake the following tasks:

• Support the International Consultant in the development and execution of interviews and focus group discussions. • Oversee the analysis of data and information gathered throughout the process • Support the International Consultant in the preparation and discussion sessions on the draft and final versions of the report

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

-Postgraduate qualifications in education administration, planning or development economics -In-depth knowledge of the structure and organization of the educational administration in Guyana -At least ten (10) years experience of working within the educational administration, ideally at various positions, including senior positions -A good understanding of key developmental issues in Guyana or the Caribbean Region -Experience with designing and supporting the implementation of education policies and plans -Experience in drafting quality strategic documents, -Excellent English communication, report writing, analytical and presentation skills; -Excellent proven interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to facilitate timely and effective coordination among multiple agencies and stakeholders at the local, sub-national and national levels -A responsible and flexible attitude -Strong coordination and peoples skills; -Demonstrated ability to work in teams

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS).

Each Candidate is required to submit a technical and financial proposal. Candidates without these proposals will not be shortlisted.

Please access the complete ToR: ToR Senior National Consultant Organisational Audit.pdf

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (where applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).