UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND
REQUIRES
International Consultant
Support to program initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education
Requirements:
- A Degree in Social Sciences/Education
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues related to education and other program sectors.
- Basic knowledge/experience in data collection, research methods and analysis.
- Experience in project development and management.
- Previous experience of working with UNICEF, preferably in the CEE/CIS region would be a strong asset
- Excellent communication skills (both oral and written)
- Have excellent analytical and writing skills in English
- Excellent command of Montenegrin language is required
- Cultural sensitivity
Terms of Reference for the position and P11 form can be found on the website www.unicef.org/montenegro.
If you are a dynamic person who would like to contribute to delivering of long-lasting, positive changes for Montenegro’s children, please apply with a CV, P11 form, financial offer and cover letter by email, mail or fax quoting the position “Support to program initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education” to the following address:
UNICEF, UN Eco House, Stanka Dragojevica bb, 81 000 Podgorica
Fax: +382 20 447 400
Email:
Closing date for applications is 25 September 2015 by cob (16.30h).
Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.
U N I C E F I S A S M O K E F R E E E N V I R O N M E N TTerms of Reference
Support to program initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education
Background
Following the high profile, international conference “Quality Education: Better Results, Better Schools, Better Future” held in July 2014, the Ministry of Education committed to initiating and accelerating reforms in a number of areas, including the following: i) Expanding preschool education, ii) Ensuring access to quality pedagogical service to all children, particularly those from vulnerable groups and iv) Use of innovative approaches to teaching and learning that include a balanced support to the development of students’ cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
With the support of UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and relevant central educational institutions have initiated since the Conference a large number of activities as well as comprehensive and complex reforms aimed at achieving the above mentioned goals.
In the area of preschool education a new Strategy for Early and Preschool Education is currently being developed with the goal to increase the coverage of preschool education for 3 – 6 year old children from current 52% to 95% by 2020, by ensuring access to preschool institutions for all children through regular, but also alternative preschool education models, such as interactive services, three-hour free of charge programs, etc. Based on the findings and recommendations of The Study on Investing in Preschool Education in Montenegro (2013) and the Analysis of the Preschool Education System and Recommendations for Expansion of Coverage, sustainable and effective models of financing preschool education will be developed and efforts will be made to increase the current 0.38% expenditure of the GDP for this education level.
In order to improve the quality of teaching and learning in inclusive classrooms, UNICEF has supported adaptation of mother tongue textbooks for primary schools into the electronic (DAISY), audio-visual format. A series of teacher training seminars ensued in order to help ensure quality introduction and piloting of DAISY textbooks in a number of selected schools. Evaluation of this initiative was conducted by an international consultant and based on the recommendations and lessons learned, an action plan will be developed for further work in this area and scale-up.
The need to use of innovative approaches to teaching and learning in order to ensure a balanced development of both cognitive and non-cognitive (socio-emotional skills; soft skills) of students has been based on the findings of numerous research and studies showing that academic achievement, career and lifetime success of individuals depend on with a wide range of capabilities, where social and emotional skills are as important as cognitive ones. The initiative currently conducted by the Bureau for Education encompasses development and delivery of a program in four pilot schools aimed to develop a set of skills that were indicated as most important by students, teachers and parents from eight primary schools. The initiative is conducted with the support of the University of Birmingham and will be expanded to other schools in Montenegro following the evaluation in the beginning of 2016.
Also, in the light of the upcoming launch of the large three year Youth Program, which also includes initiatives related to development of social and emotional skills, and the need for establishing a sustainable, youth-friendly and youth-responsive system of services, as well as a variety of other program initiatives related to youth empowerment through formal and non-formal education, support will be needed for ensuring quality and smooth implementation and achievement of the set program goals.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and logistical support to smooth and quality implementation of numerous activities envisaged within the Basic Education program, in particular those related to preschool education, inclusive education and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
The objectives of the consultancy are:
· To provide support to the implementation of activities related to the reform of the preschool education system
· To provide support to the implementation of activities related to improving the access to quality education and pedagogical service for children with disabilities
· To provide support to the implementation of the activities related to the development of non-cognitive/soft skills of primary school students
· To provide support to the implementation of other program initiatives as requested
Methodology and technical approach
The consultant is expected to support the work of relevant program staff and consultants, cooperate with all implementing partners, help ensure smooth implementation of activities envisaged by the initiative, provide technical, organizational and logistics support.
All necessary guidance and documentation will be provided by relevant UNICEF staff.
Deliverables and Timeframe
The consultant will be engaged on a full-time basis from 1 October 2015 until 31 March 2016, for total of 6 months.
Management and Organization
Management: The consultant will be supervised by Ms. Ana Zec, UNICEF Programme Specialist
The performance of the consultant will be evaluated against the set of standard indicators such as: whether all goals outlined in the ToR are met, whether deadlines established by ToR are met, technical and professional competence demonstrated, quality/quantity of work and deliverables, demonstrated initiative, responsibility, work relations, and communication.
Qualifications and Competencies
UNICEF is looking for an experienced and qualified International Consultant who is well familiar in the area of youth and education policy.
- A Degree in Social Sciences/Education
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues related to education and other program sectors.
- Basic knowledge/experience in data collection, research methods and analysis.
- Experience in project development and management.
- Previous experience of working with UNICEF, preferably in the CEE/CIS region would be a strong asset
- Excellent communication skills (both oral and written)
- Have excellent analytical and writing skills in English
- Excellent command of Montenegrin language is required
- Cultural sensitivity
Budget and Remuneration
The total duration of the consultancy is 6 months over the period from 1 October 2015 to 31 March 2016.
The candidates are requested to submit their financial offer consisting of fee for the services to be provided, travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
Payment schedule
The fee will be paid in monthly instalment, upon submission of monthly reports.
Recourse
UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.