National Consultancy to support stocktaking exercise of Competency Based Education (CBE) reform, and technical support across teacher professional development, assessment and curriculum development for grades 5-9

The purpose of this assignment is to support the development of stock -taking exercise by consolidating trends and practices on CBE which were developed in the past and those currently in the process of development by education institutions and partners. This includes some of the more evident trends subsumed under recent education reform envisioning the flexibility and adaptability required in the structure, content and operation of learning moment in the classroom space. Therefore, the national consultant is expected to provide general professional support in the process of development of project specific workplans and roll- out of the IsDB/GPE project activities.

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Background
Current National Education Strategy envisages step by step education reforms in the country and aims at “upgrading of general education content on the ground of transfer from knowledge-based to competency-based education model”. The Mid-Term Education Plan 2018-2020 puts forward the theory of change that should result in all subjects in all grades being taught based on the new competency-based curriculum. In addition to that, all teachers should possess the skills required for the transition to the competency-based curriculum and new textbooks supporting the implementation of the curriculum are to be developed and printed. However, practically no evidence exists on quality of the education reform in the country. Following ongoing implementation of CBE Reform, a review of overall approaches and tools, including various materials developed as part of the curriculum reform is needed.

This stocktaking exercise is part of larger joint project funded by GPE and IsDB, which will contribute to the realization of the SDG-4 goals to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities, as included in the National Development Strategy until 2030 and National Education Development Strategy until 2030. In particular, aiming to respond to several challenges as follows: incompatibility of the current textbooks with the competency-based curriculum; insufficient attention to subject competencies and their possible integration with key competencies in the approved Curriculum Framework and teacher training programmes based on it; teachers' uninformed and fragmented understanding of the proposed reform; lack of systemic support for the teacher in the process of the competency-based curriculum rollout; and lack of strong evidence for improved teacher competence and student learning outcomes as a result of interventions in the country.

The stock-taking exercise will be combined with expert policy support towards the development of joint roadmap for CBE implementation reforms across various components of the "IsDB/GPE Project for Support to Implementation of the National Education Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan", to be implemented by UNICEF jointly with MOES.

How can you make a difference?

In the framework of the preparatory process to the technical assistance of UNICEF in implementation of ISDB/GPE project implementation, the stocktaking exercise and policy advice will include provision of policy support to the roll-out of the competency-based curricula and ensure that major pedagogical and didactic inputs (teacher training, textbook development, and assessment) are in line with the new competency-based curriculum reform.

NOTE: Considering below tasks and requirements, the selected national consultant should carry out all of the activities in accordance with the plan in coordination with the international consultant. If in case one national consultant is not able to accomplishes the tasks, then all the activities will be divided between three national consultants. Thus, all the tasks will be divided into several phases. Interested applicants need to apply to dedicated phase of actives.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this assignment is to support the development of stock -taking exercise by consolidating trends and practices on CBE which were developed in the past and those currently in the process of development by education institutions and partners. This includes some of the more evident trends subsumed under recent education reform envisioning the flexibility and adaptability required in the structure, content and operation of learning moment in the classroom space. Therefore the national consultant is expected to provide general professional support in the process of development of project specific workplans and roll- out of the IsDB/GPE project activities.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

Phase 1 - Stocktaking exercise of CBE Reform including roadmap development with recommendations for general basic education (total of 35 days).

- Together with international consultant conduct stakeholder's analysis in relation of CBE reform including conducting meetings with relevant stakeholders (MoES and Development Partners) to define challenges and opportunities of CBE reform as per identified priority areas;

- Coordinate with international consultant facilitate collection of data related to CBE reform both at central and district levels;

- Together with international consultant prepare a comprehensive report on the CBE stocktaking with review of implemented activities. As part of stock-taking exercise develop a set of recommendations ensuring a roadmap for cohesion all reform elements (curriculum, teachers, assessment) informing future interventions by the government and development partners.

Phase 2 - Technical support for developing project baselines and technical specifications for achieving project objectives related to in-classroom teacher support, textbook/syllabus revision standards (math and language), and assessment (115 days).

- Providing technical support in coordination of meetings, roundtables, conferences and trainings related to baseline - midline - end line studies, programme design, supervision and mentoring, experience exchange workshops and implementation of all activities within the MOES and other institutions;

- Coordination for effective use of already developed resources (strengthening coordination mechanism between partners for CBE reform around the MOES);

- Synchronizing stock- taking exercise with CBE indicators presented within NSED for 2020-2030;

- Provide technical and professional support in revision of the current math and language standards for the selected grades, and recommendations for their improvement;

- Provide technical support in the review of up-to-date detailed operational plan of the project incorporating new developed requirements related to UNICEF support to digitally enabled learning as part of COVID-19 Education Response; 

- Together with international consultant conduct consultation exercises with Development Partners and MoES relevant staff to define available strong human and material resources, methodology and approaches in relation to different streams of project operationalization to be implemented by UNICEF - both in Dushanbe and Khatlon as pilot region;

- Together with international consultant develop harmonized tools and methodology to be used for the baseline, mid-line, and end-line studies to be conducted by independent research bodies within the framework of the project: i.e. this includes harmonization of a.) baseline study on classroom practice; b.) baseline on textbooks quality in selected subjects; and c.) baseline in IE practices at classroom level; 

- Support in the drafting of quarterly progress report of project implementation leasing with MoES technical team and international consultants.

KEY DELIVERABLES and PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 

Note: Due to COIVD-19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation.

Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 150 working days spread over a period ranging from December 2020 till 15 November 2021. 

Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.  

Supervision: The national consultant will work together with international consultant and reports to UNICEF Chief Education and receives ongoing and day-to-day supervision from the Education Specialist in charge of quality learning. The national consultant will support the international consultant with mission related stock-taking and operationalization of the exercise.

Reporting to: Chief, Learning, 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 on Social Science and/or Education.

Work Experience: At least 5 years of productive work experience in the area of competency-based education with demonstrated experience in policy advice in areas related to teacher professional development, curriculum reform and assessment.

Competencies: Excellent analytical thinking and strategic planning skills; Experience in provision of trainings and developing methodologies for quantitative and qualitative research in education.

Technical Knowledge: Proven ability to provide policy support and recommendations to education sector CBE reform, excellent writing skills, oral communication skills and facilitation skills and ability to work under commitment to work to tight timeframe.

Language: Fluency in Tajik and Russian. Knowledge of English is valued.  

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the consultancy deliverables, showing understanding of tasks.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per deliverable, stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable and/or daily rate in TJS.
4. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
5. At least 2 References

Queries can be sent to: tad-procurement@unicef.org with subject line "National Consultancy to support stocktaking exercise of Competency Based Education (CBE) reform, and technical support across teacher professional development, assessment and curriculum development for grades 5-9" Applications must be received by the 13 December 2020 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php .

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 - 80%;

* Financial Criteria weight - 20%;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 60 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Proposal

Please provide a rate all-inclusive price (in TJS) for delivery of professional services in accordance with the assignments described under this TOR.

FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) 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.