International Researcher and Training Consultant

UNICEF office in Skopje is seeking for an international consultant to design a programme for socio emotional development of young children which takes into consideration relevant research from educational and cognitive neuroscience to classroom settings through a pedagogical framework. The programme has to offer pre-school teachers with practical steps for using socio emotional strategies to improve the instruction and teach 21st century skills.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, education

UNICEF in Skopje has been a long-standing partner to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) in the ongoing reforms to improve access and quality of pre-school education in the country.

At the beginning of 2018, UNICEF supported MLSP to systematically examine the pre-primary education sector and develop a roadmap that will help the Government to address the challenges they face in expanding access to quality pre-primary education services. 

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the assignment

Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, and in close collaboration with other UNICEF colleagues, and the Implementing Partners of the program, the consultant will create a programme that has the following core elements:

• Advanced Career Paths - This programme design should create new opportunities for high-performing pre-school teachers to take on additional leadership responsibilities by becoming national teacher leaders. These pre-school teachers should be responsible for training, analyzing data, setting learning goals and achievement plans, evaluating traditional pre-school teachers (called “career teachers”), and providing individual and team coaching. Lead teachers should also lead Professional Learning Communities (called “PLCs”) and provide oversight and additional support to career teachers.
• Ongoing Applied Professional Growth. The programme should include collaborative mentoring and planning time intended to help teachers learn research-based neuroeducation social-emotional strategies to meet the specific developmental needs of young children. Lead teachers should also provide career teachers with individual, classroom-based support through activities such as demonstrating/modelling lessons, team-teaching, conducting observations, and providing authentic and constructive feedback.

The assignment intends to accomplish the following:

1. Prepare a baseline assessment on the selected kindergartens with a standardized tool that will examine the social and emotional development of young children attending pre-school institutions (3 and 4 years of age).  
2. Provide support in assessing the socio-emotional development of the proposed ‘Lead Teachers who will be selected by MLSP through an open call.
3. Prepare a programme and conduct a training for 30 ‘Lead Teachers’ in setting a safe, holistic, brain-targeted learning environment for pre-school children.
4. Prepare a programme and conduct training for pre-school teachers in seven selected pilot kindergartens for setting safe learning environment for preschool teachers.
5. Mentor and support ongoing activities with ‘Leader Teachers’ and follow up with their progress.

Main tasks to be accomplished

The main tasks of the assignment are as follows:

Conducting a Baseline Assessment

1. Develop the methodology (approaches, methods and tools) for the development of the research (set the baseline)
2. Select the adequate standardized tools that UNICEF will purchase to measure the socioemotional development of children in seven pilot kindergartens for children age 3 and 4 years old.
3. Provide guidance on how to administer the tests in pilot kindergartens.
4. Undertake primary and secondary data collection as required.
5. Draft the baseline report.

Delivering Trainings with the selected groups

1. Develop the methodology, prepare the training materials, and deliver National Teacher Leader Core Training in January 2019.
2. Develop the methodology, prepare the training materials, and deliver the training for the selected seven pilot kindergartens to be carried out in February 2019.

Monitor and support the work of the ‘Lead- Teachers’ in selected kindergartens

1. Develop weekly trainings and models for lead teachers to use with career teachers
2. Conduct 1 hour a week skype meetings with the ‘Lead Teachers’ and UNICEF implementing partner according to pre-set schedule delivering training modules and modelling neuroeducation strategies
3. Gather weekly programme feedback (data) from lead teachers and modify programme based on weekly needs assessments

Deliverables:

Conducting a Baseline Assessment

• Acquire quantitative socio affective research instruments (2 days)  
• Train implementing partners in instrument administration and preparation (1 day)
• Develop and design the programme methodology (research, approaches, methods, and tools) for the programme (10 days)
• Develop social-emotional measurement of all kindergarten teachers and teacher leaders (1 day)
• Develop pre-instrument rubric for kindergarten teachers (1 day)
• Baseline- Data Collection and Analysis of pilot kindergartens (2 days)
• Draft of Baseline Report (2 days)

Delivering Training with the selected groups

• Designing materials & modules for training of Lead Teachers and pre-school teachers in pilot kindergartens (10 days)
• Master Teacher Training – (6 days)
• Pilot School Training (7 days)

Support During the Implementation of the Program  

• Planning and supporting ‘Lead Teachers’ in providing mentoring session to pre-school teachers in selected kindergartens (3 days)
• Prepare training modules and neuroeducation strategies and conduct weekly skype meetings with ‘Lead Teachers’ and UNICEF implementing partner (3 days)

Qualifications and skills required

• Advanced university degree (PhD) in psychology, neuroeducation, education or another relevant field
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in educational program design and research, particularly social and emotional development in children at the national or international levels
• Experience in carrying out large scale research studies. Experience in conducting research involving children will be considered an asset.
• Has experience as a practitioner in educational institution working as teacher trainer and teacher.
• Expert knowledge of child brain development, including relevant instruments on research in this topic
• Able to develop training modules and materials, and able to deliver specialized training to the targeted audience
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Fluency in English (oral and written). Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Knowledge of the country context is an asset

Estimated duration of the contract:       02 January 2019 –31 March 2019.    

Consultant’s workplace and official travel

The consultant will work from home. He/she will be asked to travel to Skopje in January 2019 for the implementation of the teacher training programme (10 days) and in February 2019 for the delivery of training to pre-school teachers in pilot kindergartens (10 days). Travel costs (transportation, accommodation, and meals) will be paid by UNICEF Skopje.

Payment schedule

The payment of the consultancy fee will be made once 22 working days are accumulated.

Required application documents

• A sample of similar work;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Financial proposal should be integrated in the Application letter.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further consideration                                                                                                  

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

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.