Training of curriculum developers on designing CSE into basic education curricula

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Harare Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 30-JUN-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- **Summary** UNESCO seeks the services of consultant(s) to support the training of curriculum developers in designing effective comprehensive sexuality education curricula. The consultant will support the UNESCO regional team to develop and offer an intensive CSE training on curriculum development. A well-structured training aimed at enhancing the quality of sexuality education curricula in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region. In addition to the training, the consultant will also play a peer review role, providing feedback to curricula developed by the countries. **Background** UNESCO is currently supporting Ministries of Education to implement the **Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) Programme.** The O3 Programme commenced in 2018, and **it** supports delivery of good quality comprehensive sexuality education that empowers adolescents and young people and builds agency, while developing the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and competencies required for preventing HIV, reducing early and unintended pregnancies, and eliminating gender-based violence. **T**he O3 programme, and its acceleration builds on current efforts by UNESCO to improve sexual and reproductive health, as well as gender and education outcomes for adolescents and young people. The programme follows a 3-tier system with programme acceleration countries at the top followed by focus countries and then networking countries. This 3-tier system will allow countries to learn from each other as they work towards national coverage. Institutionalizing the CSE programs will ensure governments provide domestic funding and contribute to fully scale up CSE interventions. Long Description ---------------- UNESCO will scale up the current programme to sub-Saharan Africa by implementing programmes designed to: 1. Secure and sustain strong political commitment and support for adolescents’ and young people’s access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services across sub-Saharan Africa. 2. Support the delivery of accurate, rights-based and good quality comprehensive sexuality education programmes that provide knowledge, values, and skills essential for safer behaviours, reduced adolescent pregnancy, and gender equality. 3. Ensure that schools and community environments are safer, healthier, and inclusive for all young people. 4. Strengthen the evidence base on comprehensive sexuality education and safer school environments. The O3 Programme will reach **20 million** learners in **64 000** primary and secondary schools; **47 000** pre-service teachers; and **367 000** in-service teachers. The programme is also expected to reach **30 million** people (parents, guardians, religious leaders, and young people out of school) through community engagement activities and **10 million** young people through the YPT website and social media platforms. **The CSE in and pre-service Teacher Training programme** The O3 program acknowledges that sexuality education curricula are not sufficiently comprehensive in all countries. Analyses of crosscutting issues show that gender and social norms are among the weakest aspects of existing curricula in countries, and some of the most difficult ones to strengthen, precisely because they are deeply entrenched in the socio-cultural fabric of societies. Norms and power disparities are responsible for both Female genital mutilation (FGM) and adolescent pregnancy. Early sexual debut and under age pregnancies are both important topics for CSE curricula and important entry points to address gender norms and power disparities that are also responsible for FGM. Long Description ---------------- UNESCO will support capacity building of curriculum experts to develop comprehensive sexuality education curricula that responds to the specific needs of adolescents and young people. Curriculum developers and educators and those who train them need to understand how gender interacts with HIV, Early unintended pregnancies (EUP) and other sexual and reproductive health issues and to apply a gender transformative approach to classroom methods. Capacity strengthening will draw on good practice identified in other Sub- Saharan African (SSA) countries. UNESCO will make use of simple methods to improve the cultural relevance of programmes and reduce opposition. For instance, curriculum developers will be supported to draw on a variety of sources to include culturally relevant content in the curriculum. Training will require curriculum developers to think about appropriate examples, words and topics that are relevant for the specific settings in which they will teach, which is particularly useful to adapt to the many cultural variations within countries. UNESCO acknowledges that a significant number of curriculum developers are still in the need of CSE training regarding CSE. To this end, UNESCO will conduct a regional training of trainers, which will bring together 80 participants from 15 countries in East and Southern African to be trained on how to implement the training programme in their countries. **The assignment** UNESCO seeks therefore the services of a consultant to support the training, updating and modifying of CSE curriculum for up to 15 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Specifically the consultant is required to: - Support the update and modifying of comprehensive CSE[ manual](https://learncse.online/digital-library/reducing-sexual-risk-behavior-among-young-people-training-toolkit-curriculum) for curriculum developers in line with the revised International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education. Curricula should focus on clear goals and behavioural outcomes while developing attitudes and skills that contribute to safe, healthy and positive relationships as well positive values including human rights and gender equality. Curricula will include for younger ages in primary schools (5-8; 9-12) and also older age groups in secondary school (12-15; 15-18+). - Develop a revised manual for training curriculum developers for ESA region. Long Description ---------------- - Adapt existing content of good CSE curricula materials and methodologies to local contexts and needs by considering use of country examples and sample materials; use of low tech options for replication of training and tailoring training to respond to country processes. - Support designing classroom activities in line with objectives and goals of the curriculum. Consider ensuring use of participatory methods and facilitating participant led components during the training. - Provide technical support and peer review for curriculum development and post training and provide mentoring for the TOTs - Provide guidance on developing standalone CSE programs and how to integrate CSE into various curricula subject. - Use innovative and digital methods (e.g. Design Thinking) described in the concept Note to execute the training. - Conduct a 3-day training of trainers for 80 participants in the month of July 2022. **Deliverables** 1. A training outline and detailed agenda for the regional training of trainers on CSE. 2. A updated and modified CSE training manual for curriculum developers. 3. Updated peer reviewed curricula. 4. Pre and post questionnaire and training evaluation. 5. A training report from the TOT. The final report should be regional in nature, with examples of reviewed curricula and highlighting good practices from countries and some implications for teacher training. Good practises and examples should documented and available for the UNESCO *Community of Practise* platform. **Timeline and duration** The consultancy will run for the period from July 2022 to September 2022. The schedule below sets out deliverables an indicative dates. Deadline will be set in consultation with the consultant. 1. Support the update and modifying of comprehensive CSE curricular for curriculum developers in line with the revised International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: July - August 2. Adapt existing content of good CSE curricula materials and methodologies to local contexts and needs by considering use of country examples and sample material: July - August 3. Support designing classroom activities in line with objectives and goals of the curriculum: July - August 4. Provide technical support and peer review for curriculum development and post training and provide mentoring for the TOTs: July - August 5. Provide guidance on developing standalone CSE programs and how to integrate CSE into various curricula subject: July - August 6. Consolidate the training into a manual for training curriculum developers for ESA region: July - August 7. Conduct a 3 day training with high level members of the Ministries of Education in ESA: July 8. Use innovative and digital methods (e.g. Design Thinking) described in the general concept Note to execute the training: July 9. Submit a final report of the training: August **Reporting** The contract will be managed by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa based in Harare, Zimbabwe. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- The candidate is expected to have the following qualifications and skills; - Advanced academic degree in a related field (education, development, public health and health education) - Extensive professional knowledge and at least 10 years’ experience in the field of teacher training in Africa, comprehensive sexuality education; familiarity with curriculum development an asset. - Demonstrated experience with training in the education sector, mentoring and peer review, excellent writing and communication skills. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. 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 will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.