The consultant will closely work with Education Specialist and implementing partners for Re-drafting National Education and Skills Development Policy of Bhutan and development of Implementation Plan through consultative process with stakeholders.

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 access  Education 

The main objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive National Education and skills development Policy that aligns with Bhutan's vision of Developed Bhutan and addresses the current challenges and opportunities in the education and skills development sector.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
Bhutan has recognized early the role of education as a critical instrument in the scheme of nation-building. So far, periodic education strategic documents and Education Policy Guidelines and Instructions have been the only policy framework documents available to keep education stakeholders informed. There is no comprehensive policy document to guide and direct the development of the education sector, limiting legitimacy and support in sharing accountability, transparency, responsibility, and ownership to leverage equitable access to quality education and skills development. A national education policy was drafted in 2018 but was never signed.
Given the challenges of the education system, such as the impact of COVID-19, learning loss and digital transformation of education, in addition to existing last mile challenges, there is a need for a renewed effort in education and skills development. This includes consolidation of education priorities, investments, stakeholder engagements and commitment to bring about a transformation in education, which are also highlighted in Bhutan's National Statement of Commitment, presented at the Transforming Education Summit (2022).
The Royal Kasho on Education Reform (2020) calls for a radical rethinking of education systems to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It highlights the need for a transformational upshift in curriculum, infrastructure, classroom spaces, learning materials, digital education, STEM, assessments, and teacher developments. Following the Kasho, a consolidated education policy should position policy priorities by key intervention areas in terms of goals, standards, and frameworks to realize national aspirations while benchmarking with global standards.
The purpose of the assignment is to redraft the national education policy of 2018 through a consultative approach engaging all education stakeholders, with references to best practices and standards at national and global levels and develop an Implementation Plan.
Scope of Work:
The scope of the assignment is to redraft the national education policy of 2022 through a consultative approach engaging all education stakeholders, with references to best practices and standards at national and global levels and develop an Implementation Plan to +++ (what this is about). The draft policy must incorporate relevant recent developments and trends, take a holistic approach, be at the same time future looking and facilitate the operationalization of the Transforming Education Summit National Commitment to achieve SDG4 by 2030. The scope of the policy should encompass all forms of education and skills development in the country- early childhood care and development, school education, curriculum and assessment, teacher, teaching learning resources, school infrastructure, students safety, health and wellbeing, non-formal and continuing education, technical and vocational skills development, flexible education, lifelong learning, digital transformation and leveraging on it, gender and inclusiveness besides other encompassing public, private, monastic and higher education pathways.
The document should be a comprehensive policy document succinctly presenting the vision, mission and policy directions including standards and regulatory frameworks, roles, and responsibilities of different tiers of the education and skills development in the country.
The main objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive National Education and skills development Policy that aligns with Bhutan's vision of Developed Bhutan and addresses the current challenges and opportunities in the education and skills development sector. The specific objectives of the consultancy are as follows:
1. Conduct a detailed review of past developments, current reforms and transformations taking account of key achievements, issues and challenges through a desk review and consultations with key stakeholders.
2. Identify international/national/local best practices and lessons learned in education and skills development policy development that might be relevant for the redrafting of the policy.
3. With reference to #1 & #2, develop an ‘Education and skills development Policy’ and its ‘Implementation Plan,’ in consultation with all education and skills development stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector actors, parents, teachers, and students to gather inputs and feedback. The final policy document should emphasize the key features of education and skills development such as access, quality, equity, digital education, curriculum, and assessment, learning outcomes, learners’ health, safety and wellbeing, teacher training, infrastructure, etc., all benchmarked to the highest global standards.
4. Develop a policy brief based on the final Policy document.
Tasks Timeline Estimated Budget
1. Contract Signing
 1 July 2023  
2. Work Plan Submission 03 July 2023  
3. A comprehensive desk and literature review report outlining the framework and critical aspects of the policy document and presented to the Ministry. 10 July 2023 10%
4. Carry out key stakeholder consultations and develop and submit a report on the consultation process and outcome. The report must include a summary of inputs and feedback received during the consultation process (1st consultation). 25 July 2023  
5. Develop a draft policy document and present it to the Ministry, based on the consultation report. The document should emphasize key features of education and skills development such as access, quality, equity, digital education, curriculum, and assessment, learning outcomes, learners’ health, safety and wellbeing, teacher training, infrastructure, etc., all benchmarked to the highest global standards. 30 July 2023 30%
6. Incorporate the feedback and seek final inputs and comments from education and skills development stakeholders, including but not limited to ESCM members, development partners, educational agencies, selected DEOS/TEOS/ School principals, parents, etc. Document inputs and feedback received during the final consultation along with revised policy document (2nd Consultation) 16 August 2023  
7. Submission of Final Policy Report, along with the summary of inputs and comments from the 2nd Consultation. 20 August 2023 30 %
8. Develop and submit the Policy Implementation Plan, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, as per standards provided by the Cabinet. 25 August 2023  
9. Present the consolidated Policy Implementation plan to the Ministry, seek feedback, incorporate, and submit the final Policy Document along with the Implementation Plan. The final document should also accompany a Cabinet Submission note as per prescribed format which can be accessed at: https://www.cabinet.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Amended-Format-for-LZ.docx) 30 August  2023 30%

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

  • A minimum of master’s degree in social sciences/Education or Planning and Monitoring and/or related policy fields. PhD in a similar field will be an added value.
  • At least five to ten years of demonstrated experience in policy analysis and development, or in education and skills development planning, policy development. Experience with leadership and development of Strategic Action Plans will be an added value.
  • ✓ Demonstrated knowledge, skills and application in conceptualizing, planning, and preparation of analytical documents.
  • ✓ Expertise in communications and facilitation skills including the capacity to conduct consultative meetings and consolidate key points, engaging in evidence-based policy dialogue with key stakeholders from public and private entities.
  • ✓ Demonstrated working skills and a strong drive for results.
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

  To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

  UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

How Apply:

1. Cover letter

2. Latest CV

3. Lumpsum fee in local currency including travel if required

4. Detail Methodology how you are going to execute the assignment

5. For Technical queries please contact @ gpoorteman@unicef.org  

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