National Consultancy to support institutionalization of the Pedagogical Mastery Course into the curriculum of pedagogical faculties in Tajikistan

The purpose of this consultancy is two-fold a) review and revise the current Teacher Guide of the Pedagogical Mastery Course and b) build the capacity of key trainers to train faculty of pedagogical departments to deliver the course

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,

 The Term of Reference in Russian will be found here

Background

The National Strategy for Education Development (NSED) approved by the government in July 2012 sets out the framework for education sector development in the country up to 2020. Its main goal is to create the conditions to ensure universal access to relevant and quality education. The NSED sets out three objectives: (i) to modernize education content; (ii) to re-structure the education system; and (iii) to improve access to quality education.

To achieve these aims, the government in collaboration with donors has taken several measures. In particular, to modernize the content of education, the MoES has initiated reforms to increase its relevance by moving from knowledge to competency-based model and improving teacher effectiveness. The new curriculum is aimed at introducing standards and content reflecting a more competency-based and result-oriented teaching and learning, and integrated life skills. In 2016, the competency-based curriculum for primary grades was finalized and all teachers trained in the new approach. The transition of secondary education to competency-based approach is progressing according to phased approach.

To support MoES's efforts in moving towards competency-based education, UNICEF, Tajikistan in collaboration with Tajik State Pedagogical University developed and piloted a practical course on Pedagogical Mastery. The course is aimed at developing future teachers competencies to teach using child-centered pedagogies and become reflective teachers. Pedagogical mastery course is the first course designed to link pre-service teacher training with the current curriculum reforms.

The course has been piloted and revised since 2015 in Tajik State Pedagogical University. Since 2017, it was incorporated into pedagogical faculties of four universities. Considering the lessons learnt from the pilot, feedback received from faculty members, as well as the current developments in transitioning to competency-based approach, there is an urgent need to revise the course to incorporate it to the pedagogical faculties across the country. Following the revision of the module it is advisable to scale it up to all pedagogical universities and institutes in the country.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is two-fold a) review and revise the current Teacher Guide of the Pedagogical Mastery Course and b) build the capacity of key trainers to train faculty of pedagogical departments to deliver the course. 

 DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The main activities of the assignment are as follow:

1. In close collaboration with faculty of pedagogical departments of four pilot universities and UNICEF Education Specialist review and revise the module to incorporate lessons learnt from the pilot, feedback of the teaching faculty and ensure it is in line with current curriculum reforms.
2. Develop a short summary/presentation of the course explaining the key objectives and structure of the course, as well as rationale behind its practicality, to be used for advocacy purpose.
3.  Build the capacity of key trainers selected from among the faculty of pedagogical departments

KEY DELIVERABLES: 

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

The evaluation of the results will be based on:

1. Technical and professional competence (quality of the products delivered to UNICEF);
2. Scope of work;
3. Quality of work (quality of the report and recommendations);
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.

Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in days spread over a period ranging from 1 September to 30th of January 2020 (35 working days).

Supervision: The expert will work in close consultation with the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) and faculty of four universities involved in piloting the course during 2017-2019 academic years under the day-to-day supervision of the UNICEF Education Specialist.

Reporting to: Education Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

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 education and teaching, higher education.

Work Experience: At least five years of work experience in teaching in higher education, development of teacher training modules, including on competency-based education. Experience in working in projects related to competency-based curriculum reform in Tajikistan is an asset.  

Technical Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of competency-based education, teacher education, development of teacher training modules and teacher guides.

Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe. Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the workplace; previous working experience with UNICEF or another international organization's education programmes will be an asset.

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

EVALUATION PROCESS:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter /CV. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per day
2. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables/activities.

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

Queries can be sent to tad-procurement@unicef.org with the subject line "National Consultancy to support institutionalization of the Pedagogical Mastery Course into the curriculum of pedagogical faculties in Tajikistan". Applications must be received by 25 August 2019 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php

Please indicate your availability and rate per deliverable in TJS 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.

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:

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