Natioanl Consultancy (Only for nationals of Kyrgyz Republic) Development of the third Midterm Action Plan 2018-2020 (APED) of the Education Development Strategy

UNICEF in Kyrgyz Republic seeks Local Consultant (applicable only for nationals of Kyrgyz Republic) to coordinate activities, related to the development of the third Midterm Action Plan 2018 -2020 (APED) of the Education Development Strategy (EDS), and provide assistance in overall assessment the EDS implementation progress achieved to date.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment: To coordinate activities, related to the development of the third Midterm Action Plan 2018 -2020 (APED) of the Education Development Strategy (EDS), and provide assistance in overall assessment the EDS implementation progress achieved to date.

Primary audience: Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), APED working groups, UNICEF, policy makers, and donor partners in Kyrgyzstan.

Objectives of the consultancy: The given consultancy aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Coordinate the work of seven APED working groups established at the MoES, prepare and conduct progress review meetings of the heads of the groups.
2. Provide technical assistance to the APED WGs in the progress review against the indicators of EDS and development of draft APED 2018-2020.
3. Ensure the Action Plan is developed through stakeholders' participatory approach and wide consultative process. 

 Scope of Work:

The Consultant will be responsible for the delivery of agreed upon outputs and will serve as the central contact person during planning and implementation of activities for development of APED 2018-2020:

1. Coordination and facilitation of the project related activities with MoES, APED working groups, UNICEF, policy makers, and other donor partners and stakeholders involved.
2. Review of available statistical or other specific or/and other project related data sources related to achievement of EDS indicators and contribute with this analysis to development of draft APED 2018-2020.
3. Provision of technical expertise to the working groups with regard to the monitoring and evaluation of the interventions in draft APED 2018-2020.
4. Supporting the activity of working groups related to analysis and actualization of linkages across seven levels of education for continuity and succession in their work, the ways for strong cross-sectoral interaction in particular in teachers' training, vocational training at all respected levels. 
5. Assistance in presentation and review of draft APED 2018-2020 at the stakeholders' meetings, including an analysis of its alignment with the EDS 2020.
6. Participation in the DPCC meetings and presenting data and overview of progress related to the APED development.
7. Coordination of a provision of the financial and technical support from the donor agencies and partners to the APED development process.
8. Preparation and facilitation of four workshops for the members of working groups, round table for media and public, focus groups with the specialists at the regional and national levels (as per agreed with MoES work plan).
9. Supporting advocacy and publication efforts of UNICEF by drafting the written inputs to the respective advocacy, media and public statement and documents.
10. Documentation of project related data, analysis of the obtained results.
11. Facilitate a communication with MoES Management and its Department on Monitoring and Strategic Planning.
12. Compile inputs from all APED WGs at each development stage into draft Action Plan as per the required template by the MoES. Develop introductory part of the Action Plan. Prepare cover letter (and report) of the work done to the MoES Collegium for Action Plan to be approved. Prepare presentation of draft APED 2018-2020 to all stakeholders.
13. Serve as resource person or communication channel between MoES, working groups and contracted financial company/experts during the APED 2018-2020 costing exercise.
14. Ensure the relevant SDGs indicators (education, youth, and gender) are reflected in the APED.
15. Coordinate the APED 2018-2020 with the awaited Country Sustainable Development Plan (in case of availability of the latest).

 Expected deliverables and outcomes:

The main outcome is an assessment the EDS implementation progress achieved to date, and based on that development of the draft APED 2018-2020.

Payment terms: Consultancy fee:

Monthly fee of 700 USD to be paid in KGS as per UN rate at the day of payment, in total $2,300 to be paid in three installments.

Duration: The given consultancy is to be carried out from March to May 31, 2017.

Reporting and supervision: The consultancy will be supervised by Education Officer of UNICEF Kyrgyzstan and reported to UNICEF CO management.

 Selection/Qualification Criteria:

 Postgraduate degree in education/or social sciences, humanities;

• Minimum 10 years of practical experience in the field of education, educational policies and reform in the educational sector;
• Familiarity with new educational development trends and socio-economic reforms, especially in the CEE/ CIS region;
• Previous work/experience with similar projects;
• Experience in work with international organizations and consultants;
• Knowledge of UNICEF priorities would be an asset;
• Good writing and communication skills;
• Experience and ability to work in a team.

 Duty station and official travel involved :Two official travels are envisioned to the regions of Kyrgyzstan during the consultancy period in April as per the work plan. Travel costs to be covered by UNICEF.

 Performance indicators:

• Technical and professional competence (will be measured by quality of work, as well as feedback from partner organizations);
• Quality of work (timely submission of the final product to UNICEF)
• Quantity of work (completing the assignments as indicated in the work plan above)
• In addition such indicators as work relations, responsibility and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the consultant's work.

All interested candidates should apply on-line and MANDATORY to attach current CV, Cover letter and budget with the daily/monthly service fee rate (including travel cost, daily subsistence allowance, ticket costs, if applicable and reflected in Terms of reference)