By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Local consultant - to develop an action plan for the Ministry of Education to support the most disadvantaged schools in Maldives.

Male

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Male
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Political Affairs
    • Education, Learning and Training
  • Closing Date: Closed

UNICEF Maldives is seeking a National Consultant to develop an action plan for the Ministry of Education to support the most disadvantaged schools in Maldives.

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.

ADVERT

UNICEF Maldives Country Offices wishes to seek the services of a local consultant to develop an action plan for the Ministry of Education to support the most disadvantaged schools in Maldives.

The Quality Assurance Department (QAD) of the Ministry of Education was established in 2015, with a mandate to undertake studies to assess the quality of Education at the systemic level and to advise on ways to improve quality. Since 2016, the QAD has undertaken quality assessments through "whole school" reviews and by end of 2018 has completed reviews in all the 212 schools across the country. The definition of "school quality" used by the QAD in these school reviews from 2016-2017 were based on a) the availability of competent staff, b) availability and completeness of resources in schools, adequacy of financial resources for schools and the existence of a present and conducive learning environment in the schools. However, the 72 schools that were reviewed in 2018 used the dimensions and indicators in the School Improvement, Quality Assurance and Accountability Framework (SIQAAF).

Key findings from all the reviews from 2016-2018 show that the reforms and interventions conducted over the years are helping to improve the quality of education offered through the school system. However, there are a number of schools which are facing multiple disadvantages and as a result are under performing. These schools have limited professional support to deal with the host of challenges teachers face in effectively implementing the national curriculum, including limited teacher capacity. Moreover, these schools also lack the teaching learning resources such as audio-visual aids and ICT equipment and other technology-based teaching learning aids. Integration of library work such as reading and researching were seen to be poor across the schools, while some of these schools do not have adequately resourced libraries. Some of the schools were found to be lacking leading teachers, whose mandate it is to guide the teachers with the implementation of the curriculum and mentoring the teachers. The reviews further showed varying levels of competence and capability among principals and acting heads of schools. Further, the reviews found that some schools require urgent changes in the senior management of schools or appointment of trained schools heads in order to bring a quick and effective change in the undesirable school situations that were affecting teaching and learning in the schools. A total of 62 schools were identified as requiring immediate support to improve the quality of education provided by them.

UNICEF Maldives Country Offices wishes to seek the services of a local consultant to provide technical expertise to the QAD and the relevant departments of the Ministry of Education to support these 62 schools.

Objectives and Scope of Work

The main objectives of the assignment are to:

  1. Develop a comprehensive strategy to improve performance of the 62 schools, across all the dimensions in the SIQAA Framework.
  2. Formulate a costed action plan to implement the strategy.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will work very closely with the technical team consisting of the relevant departments of the MoE, QAD and the National Institute of Education (NIE) set up to support the intervention.

1. a) Conduct a situation assessment of the identified 62 schools:

  • Review the literature on school education in the Maldives and the existing policies and plans to address quality of education and identify the gaps and challenges in implementation.
  • Assess the organizational arrangements made at the central level to provide school improvement support and identify their gaps.
  • Study the review reports of the 62 schools identified by the QAD as underperforming schools and identify the immediate and medium-term interventions that need to be implemented to address the issues causing underperformance of these schools.
  • Conduct stakeholder consultations with selected schools from the 62 schools and relevant departments of the MOE to identify issues and concerns with regard to quality and improvement.

    b) Produce a report on the assessment

    c) Validate the findings with stakeholders.

    d) Finalize the report with feedback from stakeholders.

2. Based on the findings of the situation analysis, develop a strategy to improve performance of the 62 schools, across all the dimensions in the SIQAA Framework.

3.  Develop a three-year, costed school improvement plan, aligned with the SIQAAF, for the 62 schools.

4. Finalize the strategy and improvement plan for 62 schools, in consultation with stakeholders.

5. Present the final strategy and improvement plan for the 62 schools to the Senior Management team (SMT) of the MoE for endorsement.

Duty station: The consultant will be based at the Quality Assurance Department.

Estimated duration of contract: It is estimated that the project will take approximately 70 working days between July-October 2019

Official travel involved: The consultant will be expected to travel to selected schools identified by the QAD for stakeholder consultations.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master's and above) in Education Management, Social Sciences, or a directly-related technical field(s) is required.

Experience:

  1. At least five years of experience in Education planning and management.
  2. At least three years of experience in the design, development, implementation of education quality improvement programs.
  3. Excellent research and analytical skills and ability to influence high-level policy dialogue with the Government.
  4. Excellent interpersonal, communication skills and ability to participate effectively in multi-disciplinary teams,
  5. Fluency in written and spoken English and excellent report writing skills in English.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Deadline for applications: 03rd July 2019, before 06:00pm (West Asia Standard Time)

Application Link:

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=523277&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us 

Remarks:

Interested applicants are required to submit a detailed methodology and a timeline to undertake the consultancy along with CV and credentials.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: