Digital Language Learning Consultant, Athens, Greece (11 months)

UNICEF Greece is seeking Greek nationals for a unique Consultancy opportunity for 11 months to support Digital Learning in Athens. We are seeking Greek nationals who are fluent in Greek and English.

Background & Rationale

Greece, as one of the major entry points into Europe, has received over a million refugees and migrants since January 2015, 37% of them children. As of October 21^st, 2017, approximately 63,000 refugees and migrants remain in the country, out of which an estimated 19,000 are children, including 3,150 unaccompanied children (UAC). Of these children, an estimated 15,000 are considered to be between 3-17 years old and coming from various linguistic backgrounds (Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Kurdish, etc). While the population has fluctuated between different locations (e.g. open sites, hotels, apartments, etc.), as of the end of October 2017, 49% of refugees and migrants were in urban accommodation versus sites. As the European Union’s relocation scheme was completed as of the end of September, the crisis has now shifted from a transitory situation to one where populations are staying for longer periods, as such efforts are being re-focused towards integration and language learning needs.

The UNICEF response to the refugee and migrant crisis in Greece aims to provide children with a safe environment, a sense of normalcy and access to basic services as well as foster resilience. It centers on interventions in two key areas, education and child protection, building on UNICEF’s expertise and added value in these sectors.

As part of the education response, UNICEF is supporting language learning within the national education system, both in formal and non-formal delivery models, with the aim of improving integration into the formal education system for migrants and refugees.  As part of that support, UNICEF is partnering with Akelius Foundation to support a comprehensive educational approach seeking to strengthen teacher capacity and improve the Greek language and English language skills of children.                                                       

Purpose                                                                                                                              

Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, the consultant is required to provide support to UNICEF Refugee and Migrant Response in Greece on the partnership with Akelius Foundation, by conducting these activities:

• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Akelius language platform as a complementary resource of the country response, focusing on language learning and teacher capacity, in coordination with existing partners.
• Support the management, oversight, and coordination of partnerships and related contracts with the organizations responsible for the development of language learning resources, delivery of non-formal and formal education, and provision of teacher capacity development activities, as it pertains to the delivery of the Akelius language platform. 
• Set up and update a project management tool that includes timeline, activities, responsibilities, milestones, budget, expenses, risks and mitigation actions, to ensure that the project is completed on time, on budget, and with the expected quality.
• Update monthly, in written form, the UNICEF-Akelius Working Group partnership with key project implementation and progress information.
• Document the planning, testing, and delivery of the Akelius platform, including challenges, good practices, and lessons learned.

Expected results: (measurable results)

The consultant will deliver the following outputs and products within the timeline indicated.

Duty Station

The consultant will be based in Athens, Greece with travel within the country to project sites as necessary.

As a long term consultancy with on-going responsibilities throughout the consultancy timeframe, the consultant will be paid on a monthly basis on submission of the monthly deliverables. 

Travel

• An amount for travel will be specified in the contract (travel lumpsum).
• From this amount the contractor will receive payments only after calculation of actual days travelled, as per UNICEF rates for DSA and travel related expenditures, and after submission of an invoice. The amount specified as a lumpsum in the contract may not be paid in full to the contractor.
• If the amount for travel initially set in the contract is higher than the actual cost of all travels at the end of the contract, the amount is not due to the contractor and is returned to UNICEF budget.
• If the amount for travel initially set in the contract is lower than the actual cost of all travels, this amount could be increased, provided sufficient funds are available in the respective budget line.
• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.
• Estimated travel costs are 900 EUR per month

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

Education:

• Advanced degree in education, applied second language acquisition, monitoring & evaluation, business, technology, economics, statistics, communication or other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of professional work experience at national or international level in project management, education, technology, language instruction, or a related field. 
• Demonstrated ability and experience in coordination, working with multiple stakeholders, and under pressure is required.
• Knowledge of technology trends, educational technology, and enterprise software development would be an advantage.
• Fluency in Greek and English is a minimum requirement. 
• Familiarity with new approaches to real-time monitoring using mobile technologies would be an advantage.