International consultant on documentation of Adolescent Competency Framework -Competence-based Learning Programme

The objectives of this consultancy is to support UNICEF Tajikistan in documentation of programme results and achieved milestones of the ACF-Competency based Learning Programme to provide evidence for replication and scale up.

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Background
One of the objectives of UNICEF Tajikistan Country Programme for 2016-2020 is to unlock the potential of adolescents, by empowering them and involving them as drivers of development and advocates of inclusive, tolerant and peaceful societies. To reach this goal, UNICEF programmes, in particular Learning and Second Decade programmes, within the new Country Programme focus in investing in adolescents- learning, development and their full participation in school and community life. This is done through interventions specifically designed for adolescents in formal and non-formal education settings, as well as system strengthening through capacitating teachers and other education stakeholders and creating adequate conditions at schools for quality inclusive education.  To achieve the above-mentioned outcome, in 2017 UNICEF Tajikistan developed an Adolescent Competency Framework (hereinafter ACF), which outlines ten core competencies that every adolescent in the country needs for successful learning and transition to life and work. These competencies are currently being delivered across the country through variety of platforms, such as schools, camps, Innovation Labs at Centres for Additional Education, Universities and others, using five different competency-based curricula developed for this purpose. Up to date over 1000 adolescents went through the competency-building programme and around 500 teachers, mentors and other education stakeholders benefitted from a set of training on competency-based education in targeted districts of Sughd, Khatlon, GBAO, RRP and Dushanbe.

To assess the outcome of the implementation of the ACF - Competency based Learning Programme in the country, it is essential to document the attained results and milestones achieved related to competency building.

In this respect, UNICEF invites an international consultant with relevant knowledge and experience to support the UNICEF Tajikistan with documentation of results achieved under the ACF- Competency based Learning Programme as well as documentation of ongoing interventions related to competency building. 

As part of this process, the consultant is expected to support the UNICEF, Tajikistan in documentation of results under four major programme components of the Adolescent Competency Framework - Competency based Learning Programme:

(1)  Implementation of ACF-Competency Based Learning Programme at school level in terms of activation of Student Councils, introduction of Layoqat curriculum and its impact on teacher practices and students participation in school and community life;

(2) Introduction of competency building in outdoor education led by Ministry of Education and Science, and its impact on students learning; 

(3) Introduction of competency building in non-formal education system (additional education) with a view of bringing social innovation and its impact on adolescent successful transition to work life; 

(4) Learning of peacebuilding competencies by adolescents across the ACF- - Competency based Learning Programme platforms and its impact on adolescents contribution to social cohesion in their communities.

The work envisaged under this consultancy is aligned with the UNICEF Tajikistan programme outcomes and outputs, in particular related to Learning and Second Decade Sections, defined in the Country Programme for 2016-2020.

How can you make a difference?

The objectives of this consultancy is to support UNICEF Tajikistan in documentation of programme results and achieved milestones of the ACF-Competency based Learning Programme to provide evidence for replication and scale up.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The consultant is expected to provide high quality documentation products, as per below

1. Documentation report
2. Video Story
3. Human interest stories

The consultant will develop products responding to the following tasks:

• Determine how and to what extent the ACF-Competency based Learning Programme has addressed the problem of adolescent development, learning and participation in the given context;
• Describe the key components of the ACF-Competency-based Learning Programme, including the platforms, content and delivery;
• Evaluate the results achieved along four above-outlined programme components, including through Student Councils at school level, outdoor education, non-formal programs and peacebuilding interventions
• Define key lessons learnt and promising practices for replication within the country and in other countries with a similar context;
• Assess how the government institutions and other stakeholders have been involved and taken ownership in the ACF- Competency based Learning Programme implementation;
• Outline opportunities for further expansion and institutionalization of ACF-Competency Based Learning Programme in the country;
• Develop four human interest / best practice stories (per UNICEF guidelines) outlining the achievement within the ACF-Competency based Learning Programme;
• Develop a story line for ACF-Competency based Learning Programme documentation to be reflected in the final report and the video story that will be designed with a support of local media company.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

The assignment will be carried out in days spread over a period ranging from 15 July 2019 to 10 April 2020. The final products of this consultancy will include a documentation report, four human interest/best practice stories and other documentation materials on achieved results of the programme. 

 Performance indicators for documentation of results:

 The documentation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work (e.g. No. of focus groups/meetings with the stakeholders);
3. Quality of work (quality of drafts of all above-mentioned documents and incorporation of feedback provided by UNICEF);
4. Quantity of work (completing the tasks indicated in the table above within the set timeframe)

In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant's work.

Travel involved:
Travel paid for by UNICEF shall be based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

Reporting to: Chief Education and Chief Adolescents, UNICEF Tajikistan

The international consultant will work in close consultation with UNICEF, Tajikistan and all involved partners and stakeholders to document the promising practices related to implementation of Adolescent Competency Framework (ACF)- Competency based Learning Programme through different platforms. It is expected that the documentation will help UNICEF, Tajikistan evaluate the success of interventions under ACF- Competency based Learning Programme and collect evidence for their replication and scale up within the country and other countries with similar contexts.

Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations.  
Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below.

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.

Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information.

Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings. The link will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.

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

Education: Advanced university degree in the fields of education, M&E, research and any related fields.

Work Experience: At least 8 years of work experience in a relevant field. Experience in conducting evaluations and documentation of programmes and projects related to education.

Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of education, with specific focus on competency-based learning research in education, adolescents learning.

Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills with stakeholders. Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe. Good writing skills.

Language: Fluency in English, knowledge of Tajik and Russian is an asset.

EVALUATION PROCESS:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Proposed methodology of the documentation and workplan
2. Cover letter/application/CV.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy, including fees in US dollars per day and estimates for travel to the country. 
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least two references

Queries can be sent to: tad-procurement@unicef.org  with subject line International consultant on development of documentation of Adolescent Competency Framework - Competency based Learning Programme. Applications must be received in the system by 9 July 2019 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php  

Please indicate your availability and rate per deliverable in USD to undertake the terms of reference above. 

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. UNICEF considers the best value for money as one of the criteria for evaluating potential candidates.  As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the best value for money principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.

Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 70 to 30.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

* Technical Criteria weight - 70%;

* Financial Criteria weight - 30%;

Only candidates who obtain a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal

Please provide an all-inclusive price for delivering professional services in accordance with the assignment described under this TOR.

The formula for the rating of the Financial Proposals will be as follows:

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