National Consultant to support UNICEF Albania office with ICT expertise for blended and digital learning in education

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, digital learning

The growth of technology and the increasingly broad range of actors providing online learning means we can deliver learning opportunities anywhere, at any time. However, more than half of the world’s children and young people are on the wrong side of the digital divide, limiting access to the same opportunities as their connected peers. Children in Albania would benefit from being increasingly digitally competent.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Education specialist, the National Consultant will be responsible for supporting technical development in the area of blended learning and digital education with UNICEF Albania.

Main Tasks and specific activities and deliverables related to the consultancy are:

– Provide ongoing support and technical assistance for improving Akademi.al national Platform as per requirements of UNICEF and MOESY.

– Analyze data populated through National Platform and monitor uptake and performance of digital solutions.

– Assist in setting up the TECHHUB and assist 20 schools in using the TECHHUB technology. Develop user friendly manuals/guides as needed.

– Assist the Mapping of school connectivity through providing continual assistance in the smooth implementation of the methodology and ensure linkages with national counterparts

– Assist in promoting and use of Akelius language learning platform.

– Provide support for the digitization of early childhood, primary and secondary education, UPSHIFT, and other non-formal learning modules and their deployment in the national platform.

– Provide technical inputs as needed for new developments in ICT in education

– Provide inputs and support the drafting of reports.

– Maintains regular communication with national counterparts as requested

Detailed information on all the activities, specific tasks under each deliverables and timetable can be found in the attached TOR document  TOR consultant for ICT – for distribution.docx

The National Consultant will report directly to the UNICEF Education Specialist. Duration of the consultancy should cover a period of 11.5 months, i.e. from May 2021 until  April 2022. Should there be need for continuation of the same services, the contract might be renewed based on funding availability, satisfactory performance of the contractor as well as after a two weeks break.  Travel is expected based on COVID-19 rules in power.

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

• Advanced University degree in Information Systems Management, ICT Management, International Development, Education, Digital Education, Instructional Design, Digital publishing, Engineering, Computer, and other relevant sciences.
• At least five years of professional work experience in Technology for Development (T4D) and/or information system development, including mobile and web-based applications, with manifested capacity to manage programmes involving many stakeholders.
• Specific experience on ICT for learning or digital learning is an advantage.
• Working experience or good knowledge of instructional design, digital publishing or e-learning platform configuration and digital learning design.
• Project management experience will constitute an advantage
• Good technical understanding and familiarity with information management systems.
• Knowledge of use of LMS systems, Teams, SharePoint, GitHub, Trello, Jira and Aha is considered as an asset. (to be checked)
• Proven experience on capacity building.
• Previous work experience with Government, UN/UNICEF or other international organization would be considered as an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written communications in English and Albanian languages required. Consultant should be at ease in presentations and meetings with different high-level stakeholders and officials.

Other competencies:

• Excellent communication abilities, in both written and oral forms.
• Must have strong skills in business analysis and technical project management.

• Basic understanding of set-up and administration of ICT services, networks, and mobile services.

• Analytical and conceptual thinking.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in coordination, and ability to work under pressure is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective relationships both within and outside the organization, more specifically with Ministry of Education and other education institutions.

What to submit:

• A motivation letter summarizing your academic and work experience and your ideas on how to contribute in this consultancy (not more than 2 pages)
• An updated Curriculum Vitae.
• Proof of previous experiences (links, publications etc.)
• a monthly fee in ALL (inclusive of all taxes)

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. If you have any question please contact Elvana Pernaska at [email protected]

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.