National consultants for technical support to the MoES of RT in enhancing Math and Language curriculum for grades 5-9.(extension)

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BACKGROUNG
Quality and relevance of learning opportunities is a key concern in the Republic of Tajikistan for all students, particularly for girls. Despite, comparable data on learning outcomes is missing due to lack of standardized national assessment, low qualifications of teachers particularly in relation to active teaching methods, lack of ICT and promotion of 21st century skills constitute a major challenge impacting on the learning outcomes of children and adolescents, along with lack of conducive learning environments.

According to current National Education Strategy 2021-2030, education reforms in the country are aimed at “upgrading of general education content on the ground of transfer from knowledge-based to competency-based education model”. The Mid-Term Education Plan 2021-2023 puts forward a theory of change that should result in all subjects in all grades being taught based on the new competency-based curriculum. In addition, all teachers should possess the skills required for the transition to the competency-based curriculum and new teaching and learning materials supporting the implementation of the curriculum are to be developed and printed.

Currently, the Government of Tajikistan continues to prioritize strengthening the competency-based approach in education through revision of the curriculum, teacher professional development and assessment systems. In 2020-2021, MoES has initiated revision of primary curriculum and development of modern teaching and learning materials. The Government of Tajikistan has also partnered with UNICEF within the framework of “Support to National Education Development Strategy for the period until 2030” project, jointly implemented with the Islamic Development Bank and Global Partnership for Education. As part of the project UNICEF is expected to support MoES in revising language and math standards, while developing a new set of language materials. This task is to be conducted along with complementary interventions related to formative and summative assessment, as well as the review and strengthening of the system of in-classroom support of teachers to support the implementation of CBE at classroom level.  

In follow up to the above objectives, UNICEF is seeking a team of international experts to provide technical assistance to the MoES and its affiliated agencies for revising language and math subject standards and development of a set of language materials. The international consultants will guide a team of local consultants and local experts from affiliated agencies who will support them in the delivery of below tasks.

PURPOSE:

The key objectives of this assignment are:

1. Together with international consultants build the capacity of the MoES, affiliated agencies and textbook writers in development of competency-based Math and Language standards and teaching and learning materials.
2. Together with international consultant assist the MoES identified curriculum and textbook development experts (100) in the revision and development of new textbooks and CBE materials for one selected grade (between grades 5-9 to be defined together with MoES).
3. Together with international consultant and WG provide technical assistance in mainstreaming the approach to revision of curriculum and development of materials within the framework of other components of the project , including baseline study, strengthening of in-classroom teacher support, and introduction of blended learning for teacher professional development.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

UNICEF Tajikistan intends to engage two National consultants (Consultant 1 for Math and Consultant 2 for Language), who will work in close consultation with two international consultant accordingly and the MoES affiliated agencies  and UNICEF Tajikistan, Project Management Unit of the Islamic Development Bank and all involved partners and stakeholders to ensure the review of secondary level Language and Math standards and develop CBE language materials for a selected grade. It is expected that these activities will contribute to building the capacity of relevant agencies in developing CBE based curriculum and materials. 

It is expected that the two consultants will closely work together with international consultant plus other key project experts  to ensure there is a consistent approach to development and revision of CBE curriculum and materials and their delivery  At the initial phase of the assignment, the consultants will be expected to develop a comprehensive capacity building programme and deliver a series of workshops for curriculum and textbooks writers on the principles of CBE, importance of consistency of teaching and learning materials (including textbooks) with the curriculum and basic principles of development of inclusive, age appropriate materials. The consultants will also be expected to engage with the team of experts working on a baseline study to incorporate the assessment of language and math proficiency of learners into the study methodology and tools. At the same time, they will be responsible for ensuring that the data collected through the baseline duly informs the revision of standards and development of language materials in the longer perspective. During the second stage of the assignment, the consultants will work with dedicated teams of subject experts in revision of lower secondary Math and Language standards. At the last stage of the assignment, the Consultant on Language will continue with a dedicated team of Language experts and textbook writers to develop a set of language materials for selected language and grade. Further, the Consultant on Language will be closely guiding the process of testing and revising the language materials. In parallel, the consultants will have to engage with other key expert teams of the project to ensure that the approach adopted towards revision of curriculum and material development is mainstreamed through other key components of the project for a more consistent and comprehensive modeling of CBE reform.

Key tasks of math consultants will include:

• Consultants for Math will support the process of revision of math curriculum and education standards for grades 5 – 9

• Consultants for Math should provide recommendations for contextualization of Math textbooks to ensure that they are aligned with the revised CBE curriculum standards, are age appropriate, have clear measurable competency-based outcomes for learners, as well as are gender and disability sensitive.
• Consultants will support the process of building the capacity of the MoES affiliated agencies, curriculum and textbook writers in development of CBE based materials through series of workshops, regular consultative meetings and remote support to teams with practical assignments and reviews. 
• Consultants together with international consultant provide guidance and day to day coordination to national experts identified by UNICEF and Ministry of Education and Science in the completion of the deliverables.

Key tasks of language consultants will include:

• Consultants for language will support the process of revision of language curriculum and education standards for grades 5 – 9

• Consultants for language will provide recommendations for contextualization of Math textbooks to ensure that they are aligned with the revised CBE curriculum standards,  are age appropriate , have clear measurable competency-based outcomes for learners, as well as are gender and disability sensitive.
• Consultants will support the process of building the capacity of the MoES affiliated agencies, curriculum and textbook writers in development of CBE based materials through series of workshops, regular consultative meetings and remote support to teams with practical assignments and reviews. 
• Consultants provide guidance and day to day coordination to national experts identified by UNICEF and Ministry of Education and Science in the completion of the deliverables.
• Consultants together with international consultant will guide the process of development of a set of language materials for a selected grade, their testing and finalization in close collaboration with identified local experts.

KEY DELIVERABLES/TIMEFRAME/PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

The assignment will be carried out in 215 days, divided as 65 days for Consultant 1 (Math) and 150 days for Consultant 2 (Language), spread over a period ranging from 10 June 2021 to 20 December 2021 for Consultant 1 (Math) and 10 June 2021 to 15 May 2022 for Consultant 2 (Language). The final products of this consultancy will include the following deliverables:

 

	Deliverable	Number of days for consultant 1	Number of days for consultant 2	Timeline	Payment schedule for consultant 1 (Math)	Payment Schedule for consultant 2 (Language)	Location
1	Together with international consultants do desk review (includes review of subject standards) and inception report	15	15	20 June 2021	10 %	10 %	Home-based
2	Support international consultant during development of Training package for building the capacity of curriculum writers	15	20	30 August 2021			Home-based
3	Together with international consultant work out recommendations and additional tools (if needed) to assess the level of learners’ proficiency in Math and languages and mainstream Math and Language competencies across other Project components.	9	9	15 August 2021	35 %	15 %	Home-based
4	Approved criteria for review of Math and Language subject standards	8	10	30 September 2021			In-country
5	Support organization of series of workshops for curriculum writers (at least 5)	18	16	30 December 2021	50%		In-country
6	Approved report on reviewed language textbooks		10	20th November 2021		10%	Home-based
7	Approved criteria for language textbooks		13	10th January 2022			Home-based
8	Series of workshops for Language textbook writers (at least 5)		12	5 April 2022		15%	In -country
9	Draft set of language materials for selected grade (including feedback from teachers in selected schools)		40	15th May 2022		20%	Home-based

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.

Performance indicators for the evaluation 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 products developed, number of people trained, no of workshops and meetings held);
3. Quality of work (quality of drafts of all above-mentioned documents and incorporation of feedback provided by UNICEF, LEG and MoES affiliated agencies);
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: 65 working days for consultant 1  – revision of Math standards and 150 working days for consultant 2 – revision of Language standards for grades 5-9.

Location: Home-based, given ongoing COVID-19 Restrictions, with scope for in-country travel if restrictions are lifted.

Supervision: Education Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

Reporting to: Education Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

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

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Advanced university degree in the fields of education, with focus on curriculum design, learning assessment and development of teaching and learning materials, and any related fields.

Work Experience: At least 3 years of work experience in a relevant field, with focus on curriculum development and education support. Experience in development of curriculum standards, including related to capacity development.

Technical Knowledge: Strong knowledge of education, with specific focus on subject matter related to Language (C2) and Mathematics (C1).

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 Tajik and Russian, knowledge of English is an asset.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.
2. A technical proposal with the proposed methodology/approach to managing the project and work plan, showing understanding of tasks
3. Work plan
4. Financial quote for the consultancy, including fees in Tajik Somoni per day and estimates for travel to the country. 
5. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
6. At least two references

Queries can be sent to [email protected]  with the subject line “National consultants to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan in enhancing Math and Language curriculum for grades 5-9.”. Applications must be received in the system by 28 May 2021 (extension)on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php.  

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. 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.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS:

Individual consultants/contractors will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual contractor 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.

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

Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 70 points)	70%	70
Technical capacity and relevant experience (70 points)
Advanced university degree in the fields of education, with focus on curriculum design, learning assessment and development of teaching and learning materials, and any related fields.		15
At least 3 years of work experience in a relevant field, with focus on curriculum development and education support. Experience in development of curriculum standards, including related to capacity development		15
Strong knowledge of education, with specific focus on subject matter related to Language (C2) and Mathematics (C1).		20
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.		10
Fluency in Tajik and Russian, knowledge of English is an asset		10
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 30 points) (daily rate, lump sum, per deliverable, Economy Air Ticket)	30%	30
TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)		100

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.

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. To view our competency framework, please visit here. Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.

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.