National consultancy to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan in coordination of the process of development of the Education Action Plan 2018-2020 of the National Strategy for Education Development 2020

The consultancy aims to a) Coordinate the work of working groups assigned to draft the Education Action Plan 2018-2020, prepare and facilitate meetings of the working groups; b) Provide technical assistance to the working groups during drafting of EAP 2018-2020 to ensure quality and timeliness of the process. c) Ensure that the Education Action Plan 2018-2020 is developed through stakeholders’ participatory approach and in a consultative manner.

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Post Title: National consultancy to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan in coordination of the process of development of the Education Action Plan 2018-2020 of the National Strategy for Education Development 2020.

Duration of contract: 1 March – 15 July 2018 (44 days)

Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Closing date: 20 February 2018

BACKGROUND

With support from the Global Partnership for Education-4 Grant, the Ministry of Education and Science of Tajikistan (MoES) developed the Education Action Plan (EAP) 2015-2017 to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Education Development (NSED) 2020. The development of the plan was informed by the assessment of the implementation of EAP 2012-2014 and Joint Sector Review (JSR). A similar analysis of the sector was carried out in 2017 to inform the development of new EAP 2018-2020. The new EAP 2018-2020 is important since it will cover and support the last phase of the NSED 2020 implementation and it is expected to incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets to reflect the recent commitment of the Government to work towards alignment of national targets with SDG targets.

UNICEF received a grant from the GPE to support the MoES in the development of the new EAP 2018-2020. Building on the progress achieved and lessons learnt from the previous period, UNICEF will support the MoES throughout the education-planning process by enhancing its capacity on result-based planning, setting measurable indicators and evaluating progress and achievements. UNICEF will provide technical assistance to the MoES’ Steering Committee and assigned Working Groups through local and international consultancy. The consultancy will support drafting and finalization of the EAP 2018–2020 based on JSR 2017 and other sectoral analytical documents.

The EAP will be costed and have a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan to ensure that it is realistic and implementable, while the costing will make it more practical and financially sustainable. The EAP will be finalized by July 2018 in a consultative manner and will be presented and discussed to influence the budget planning cycle and the Mid Term Expenditure Framework processes. Additionally, consultations will be held with key stakeholders through Local Education Group (LEG) to ensure all key stakeholders are provided an opportunity to contribute to the EAP. The above will ensure stronger ownership of the MoES to implement and monitor the progress against the set targets of the EAP. Upon finalization of the EAP, a systemic dissemination (training, meetings, information sessions etc.) for MoES officials and partners and other key stakeholders will take place.

 OBJECTIVES

The given consultancy aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Coordinate the work of working groups assigned to draft the Education Action Plan 2018-2020, prepare and facilitate meetings of the working groups.
2. Provide technical assistance to the working groups during drafting of EAP 2018-2020 to ensure quality and timeliness of the process
3. Ensure that the Education Action Plan 2018-2020 is developed through stakeholders’ participatory approach and in a consultative manner.

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

The Consultant will be responsible for delivery of the agreed upon objectives and will serve as the contact person during planning and implementation of the following activities:

1. Liaise with the MoES to establish a Steering Committee and working groups. Provide support to the Steering Committee to coordinate the activities of the working groups related to the development of EAP 2018-2020.
2. Provide technical assistance to the EAP working groups to ensure consistency across all priority areas, timeliness of planning process and satisfactory quality of produced deliverables. 
3. Closely collaborate with international consultant on M&E and planning to ensure that the working groups take the recommendations provided on improvement of EAP template into account. Ensure that EAP is result-based and includes M&E framework and is in line with NSED and SDG targets.    
4. Support the MoES in compiling inputs from all EAP working groups into a final draft Action Plan and develop an introductory note of the Action Plan.
5. Assist EAP working groups in presentation of the final draft EAP 2018-2020 at stakeholders’ meetings, LEG consultations and final consultation of the MoES collegium for approval of the EAP 2018-2020. 
6. Serve as a resource person or communication channel between MoES, working groups and UNICEF during the EAP 2018-2020 drafting and costing exercises.

DELIVERABLES, TIME FRAME AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Instalment I – 30% of contract amount

1. TORs of the working groups, including clear criteria for selection of members for Steering Committee and EAP WGs, workplan and draft schedule of meetings are prepared and submitted for review and endorsement to MoES /6 days/ by 10^th March 2018
2. One-day workshop for the members of the WGs and for levels/areas of education to define common domains across all levels of education conducted / 3 days/ by 16^th March 2018
3. EAP template is revised as per the recommendations of international consultant on planning and M&E, identified domains / 3 days / by 31^st March 2018

Instalment II – 30% of contract amount

4. First draft of EAP, including M&E framework and alignment with SDGs targets submitted / 13 days/ On weekly basis/ 15 May 2018
5. Consultative meetings/round tables with LEG facilitated and their feedback compiled / 10 days/ by 31^st May 2018
6. Second draft of EAP produced and submitted/ 3 days / by 5^th June 2018

Instalment III – 40% of contract amount

7. EAP 2018-2020 finalized with an introductory note / 3 days/ by 30^th June 2018
8. Report on the work done and results achieved submitted / 3 days /by 15^th  July 2018

Total: 44 working days

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Estimated number of working days required for this assignment is 44 days over a period of 4 months from 1 March to 30 June 2018.

PLACE OF WORK

The consultant will work stationed in Dushanbe with possible travel to the regions.

TRAVEL

UNICEF Tajikistan will cover travel-related costs within Tajikistan. UNICEF will cover the transportation fees and the consultant will receive UN-approved Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for travels to region.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

1. Postgraduate degree in education/or social sciences, humanities, economics and finance;
2. Minimum 10 years of practical experience in the field of education, educational policies and reform in the educational sector;
3. Familiarity with new educational development trends and socio-economic reforms, especially in Tajikistan;
4. Previous work/experience with similar projects;
5. Experience in work with international organizations and consultants;
6. Knowledge of UNICEF priorities would be an asset;
7. Good writing and communication skills;
8. Experience and ability to work in a team.
9. Fluency in English and Tajik, knowledge of Russian is an asset.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will directly report to the Education Specialist of UNICEF Tajikistan, under the overall supervision of Chief, Education. The evaluation of the consultant shall be completed based on the timely submission of the deliverables, and accuracy and quality of the products delivered.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

The link to review detailed Terms of Reference would be available at the following links: www.untj.org/jobs, www.unicef.org/tajikistan/resources, www.facebook.com/uniceftajikistan.

The candidates who are interested to apply for the position should follow the electronic application's instructions at:

 http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/510734?lApplicationSubSourceID= 

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 to become a part of our organization.