National Individual consultant on strengthening online system for preschool educators and managers blended learning

UNICEF seeks to engage an individual consultancy to support and enhance the ISTTI online system, promoting blended learning approaches for the professional development of preschool teachers, deputy directors (methodologists), and directors.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Education!

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
Support UNICEF Education section and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education in implementation of the ISDB funded project aimed at raising the quality of Preschool Education in Uzbekistan (in particular, strengthening online teacher training system for preschool teachers and managers).

Scope of Work:
Early Childhood Development and Education is one of the priority areas of the UNICEF Uzbekistan Country Programme. UNICEF has been providing technical assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan to enhance access to quality Early Childhood Education services. A key initiative in this effort has been the development of the digital Learning Passport platform for preschool teachers, aimed at delivering localized, contextualized content alongside a supplementary library of global resources. The platform’s goal is to foster the creation and strengthening of a national community of practice among parents, teachers, and children, grounded in shared principles of early learning and development.

Within the framework of the Joint Work Plan of UNICEF Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE) for 2023–2025, and under the IsDB-supported project “Enhancing Access to Quality Preschool Education in the Republic of Uzbekistan,” UNICEF is supporting efforts to improve the quality of preschool education. This includes reforming the professional development system to enhance the capacity of preschool teachers and managers. As part of this initiative, UNICEF is assisting MoPSE and the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of Directors and Preschool Education Specialists (ISTTI) in revising curricula for in-service teacher training. These revisions aim to align with the updated national curriculum, Ilk Qadam, and incorporate best international practices inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.

Currently, the in-service training for methodologists and preschool teachers comprises a 100-hour offline program and a 72-hour online program. Under the current project, efforts are underway to strengthen the ISTTI online system for continuous professional development by updating the UNICEF-supported Learning Passport platform and developing innovative online courses and materials using multimedia studio technology.

In this context, UNICEF seeks to engage an individual consultancy to support and enhance the ISTTI online system, promoting blended learning approaches for the professional development of preschool teachers, deputy directors (methodologists), and directors.

Duration of the current assignment is December 2025 – December 2026.

Scope of Work:
The individual consultant is expected to perform the following tasks and activities:

1. Learning Passport Platform coordination and management - By September 2026 (80 days)

• Redesign the Bolakadem2025.uz website with updated logos and information.
• Manage the team of experts responsible for uploading new materials to the platform, as well as its systematic categorization.
• Update information on the uzbekistan.learningpassport.unicef.org portal.
• Provide technical support in the development of digital courses using interactive software and programs.
• Provide technical support for the platform to ensure system resilience.
• Assist in identifying and assessing other learning management initiatives, or new phases of ongoing initiatives.
• Manage transfer of the database and the platform's source code to servers located in Uzbekistan (at the ISTTI platform) and support development of the integration mechanisms of both platforms.
• Provide on-the-ground support to users and stakeholders at key moments of engagement, including on the registration and authorization process for the platform.
• Attend and communicate with RO and HQ teams of UNICEF in finding out the possibility of full localization of the platform and other related to platform maintenance and sustainable operationalization.

2. Support development of online/digital materials and courses for ISTTI - By the end of December 2026 (80 days)

• Support ISTTI experts in digitalizing the developed online/digital modules/courses for a 72-hours online component for preschool teachers and methodologists (deputy directors) and other resources.
• Support development of the digital version of the required certified courses for preschool teachers, deputy directors and directors (Ilk Qadam, mentorship, supportive supervision, etc.) and other users based on interactive software and programs.

3. Monitoring and assessment - Monthly (20 days)

• Analyse data populated through LP platform and monitor uptake and performance of digital solutions.
• Support strengthening and ensuring sustainability of the system of online monitoring and assessment.
• Maintain regular consultations and communication with relevant national and international actors in relation to LP platform and online courses development and curation and share the best practices.
• Provide inputs and support the drafting of reports on on-line system and LP development and use.

Total: 180 days

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: University degree in IT, education, educational technology, child development, social or natural sciences or another relevant field.
• Work Experience: 
  • At least 8 years of relevant experience in the field of IT, including the development, implementation, project management and support of IT solutions and progress monitoring using Agile, Waterfall, and others.
  • Experience in launching public and private IT projects from concept to completion, including requirements analysis, budgeting, and systems integration.
  • Excellent knowledge of information management systems.
  • Familiarity with digital learning design and innovative programs to create online courses such as Demo-rise, ISprindPage, Course Editor, CourseLab, etc.
  • Work with UN/UNICEF or other international organizations would be considered as an asset;
  • Good communication skills. Good networking and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience working on educational projects is an advantage.
• Language Requirements: Knowledge of Uzbek and English languages.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. 

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.