Individual Contractor to support implementation of the UNICEF Education Programme in the area of IE

UNICEF in Serbia is seeking an Individual Contractor to support implementation of the UNICEF Education Programme in the area of Inclusive Education. Individual Contractor will support design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of main projects in the area of Inclusive Education. The duration of the assignment is 11,5 months, from 15 December 2017 to 1 December 2018.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Providing quality education for all is one of the top priorities for UNICEF in Serbia. Our goal is to support the most vulnerable children to realize their full potential through participation in quality inclusive education.

The results of the 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey in Serbia show equity gaps between the general population and vulnerable groups in the education. At the pre-school level, majority of children from vulnerable groups, especially Roma, children in formal care, and those in the poorest households are excluded from early education programmes. The same trend continues at primary and secondary school levels primary school enrolment for the general population is 97 per cent, while for Roma it is 69 per cent. The completion rate for the general population is 93 per cent, compared to only 64 per cent for children from Roma settlements. 89 per cent of the secondary-school aged adolescents among the general population attend secondary school, while this is the case for only 22 per cent of adolescents from Roma settlements (only 15 per cent of girls). According to the statistical data – (Republic Statistical Office 2011, DevInfo), the secondary school completion rate is 84 per cent (88 per cent for girls, 81 per cent for boys); it is significantly lower for children from vulnerable groups. Children with disabilities have insufficient support throughout schooling despite the existence of the inclusive education legal framework. Inclusion is hampered by the lack of resources and capacity, as well as by negative attitudes towards the full inclusion of children with disability. 

Inclusive education was introduced in 2009, through the Law on the Foundations of the Education System. In September-October new laws are adopted, introducing new measures in inclusive education such us: establishment of the resource center for assistive technologies, stronger links between schools aimed at inclusive education, clarification of the role of personal and pedagogical assistant etc. Strengthening system of national institutions and increasing capacity and resources allocation for the implementation of the overall strategy and legal provisions present the major area of partnership with UNICEF. Implementation of IE is of key significance for the realization of child and human rights, social inclusion and human capital development.

Through different initiatives including all levels of governance, UNICEF has been advocating for every child's right to inclusive quality education. UNICEF has provided coherent technical assistance and policy advice to secure inclusive policy development and to improve education quality, through introduction of new mechanisms for school improvement and demonstrating mechanisms and implementation modalities at national, local and school levels in the area of early learning, inclusive education, drop-out and violence prevention, etc. At the policy level UNICEF supported development of relevant legal framework supporting equal educational opportunities, development of comprehensive framework for monitoring and evaluation of inclusive education in Serbia and institutional development and strengthening for inclusive and quality education - MoESTD. UNICEF supports research initiatives and analytical work aimed to inform policy development. In the next period UNICEF will continue to support efforts of different stakeholders toward building more inclusive education system.

 

To support project management in education section, UNICEF seeks consultancy to support design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of main projects in the area of IE at the local level towards achieving Output 2 of the WP in Education Programme for 2016-2018: The capacity of pre-university education system - teachers, professional staff, schools are empowered for drop-out prevention and provision of quality and inclusive education enabling better learning outcomes and achievements of the most vulnerable.

 

Start Date: 15 December 2017 

End Date: 1 December 2018 

Number of working days/months 11,5 months

 

Work Assignment Overview

The work will be delivered in accordance with the yearly and subsequent more detailed monthly work plans agreed between Individual Contractor and Supervisor at the beginning of every month. Monthly Reports will be submitted at the end of each Month. Each monthly report will include:

-Overview of activities realized / progress, and

-Outputs/draft documents as per the more detailed time-line agreed and as included under deliverables for each specific task described below.

Task 1: Support implementation, monitoring and reporting in main projects and initiatives aimed at inclusive education at the national level (Network for Inclusive Education, Quality of pre-school education for Children with Disabilities, project activities of the Group for Social Inclusion etc)

Activities:

-Support implementation and monitoring of projects in the area of IE

-Liaise with partners on timely expenditures in the implementation of individual projects

-Follow up on the liquidation of instalments and new payments of instalments

-Assist in drafting narrative and financial project reports.

Deliverables:

-Monthly Reports submitted at the end of each Month.

-Prepared contribution for at least 2 donor reports capturing impact on children

-Monitoring Reports as per signed Programme Documents 

Time frame:  December 2017 - November 2018

Task 2: Support coordination of UNICEF activities in IE at local level

Activities:

-Support production of the report on the monitoring IE at local level - review draft report on monitoring IE at the local level and provide comments and inputs

-Develop and maintain calendar of local coordination meetings

-Support the organization of meetings at local and national level, which bring together stakeholders from different systems.

-Actively participate in meetings at local level

-Work closely with partners to support local level implementation and synergy of activities/projects.

Deliverables:

-Monthly Reports submitted at the end of each Month.

-Prepared contribution for the monitoring IE at local level draft report reviewed and comments and inputs provided

Time frame: December 2017 -  November 2018

Task 3: Support development of different communication and advocacy materials for parents, the general public and policy makers about the rights of children to quality IE

Activities:

-Develop programmatic and policy content for a variety of communication materials

-Develop campaigns support draft materials;

- Write factsheets, policy briefs, talking points, etc.

-Support organisation of the National conference in IE

Deliverables:

-Monthly Reports submitted at the end of each Month.

Time frame: December 2017 - November 2018

Task 4: Support development and implementation of capacity building of education professionals and other stakeholders in the area IE supported by UNICEF

Activities:

-Liaise with partners in the development of training programme and materials aimed at IE

-Support Adaptation of regional UNICEF IE training modules for different target groups (teachers, pre-school teachers, Network for IE etc)

-Organize knowledge exchange events between education institutions aimed at IE

-Monitor implementation of capacity building programmes

Deliverables:

-Training for NIE organized and all NIE members trained

-At least 2 peer learning events organised

-Monthly Reports submitted at the end of each Month.

 

Time frame: December 2017 - November 2018

Task 5: Support strengthening and leveraging of governmental and non-governmental partnerships and platforms to ensure commitment and engagement

Activities:

-Supporting development of new initiatives and projects related to education quality in UNICEF:

-Support to preparation of 1 draft donor proposal in the area of education quality and drop-out prevention

 

Deliverables: 

-At least 2 PCA/partnership projects developed in partnership with partners in the area education quality

-Prepared contribution for minimum one draft donor proposal

-Monthly Reports submitted at the end of each Month.

Time frame:  December 2017 - November 2018

 

Minimum Qualifications required:

Bachelors degree in human science preferably education, pedagogy, psychology, sociology, or other Humanities. Advanced degree will be an asset.

 

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

-At least 5 years of professional experience in education policy in Serbia in the area of inclusive education

-Excellent knowledge of Serbian education system and Serbian education policies;

-Experience in education research and surveys will be an asset;

-Established network of partners in the area of IE;

-Knowledge of all relevant regulations in the field of education and in particular in inclusive education;

-Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;

-Excellent oral and written Serbian and English skills required;

-Sound judgement is required in follow-up on requests; high degree of accuracy is important. Ability to meet tight deadlines through excellent time management, organization and multi-tasking skills.

-Knowledge of the UN/UNICEF mandate and UN rules/procedures is an asset

 

The application must include the following:

1.Daily rate in RSD (all costs to be included e.g. health insurance, pension, usage of mobile phone)

2.Daily allowance cost for travel within Serbia in RSD (for overnight)

3.Daily allowance cost for travel within Serbia in RSD (without overnight, for more than 8 hours trip)

Important note: Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply.