Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 19 Jun 2018
Background
A relevant, high quality curriculum is essential to ensuring education systems equip learners with the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and values to participate and contribute meaningfully to their communal and economic contexts. Whilst acknowledging the enormous progress made since 2002 in expanding access to education to all groups within society, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) now considers the improvement of quality in its education system to be a key priority in the next 5 years. Underpinned by broader concerns about learner achievement, the Government also seeks to improve the preparedness of youth for employment and better ensure its education systems foster the inclusiveness needed for continued national reintegration, in part by revisions and improvements to the education system.
The third National Education Strategic Plan (NESP III), positions improved quality alongside continued expansion of access to education and sector-wide management reform as its guiding priorities through to 2021. A critical component of quality improvement is comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum reform.
A request was made to UNESCO by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to prepare the foundations for sector-wide curriculum reform. Through its Capacity Development for Education 2030 (CapED) program and in partnership with UNICEF, the MoE has been supported to conduct national curriculum consultations, and draft its curriculum framework. Syllabus reform is in process, with a competence framework currently in its drafting phase, and work completed towards a first draft of the syllabus scope and sequence for each subject area.
Purpose of this TOR:
Initial work towards supporting the curriculum reform process has been undertaken. These consultancy positions will assume technical leadership for the next phase of implementation, namely supporting MoE in the finalization of the curriculum framework, including facilitation of discussions and technical guidance relating to curriculum competencies, pedagogy, subject choice and lesson hour distribution, finalization of the life skills/competence framework, and the preparation of a plan for learning resources development based on the new curriculum.
It is possible that this activity may be extended beyond the initial contract period.
The consultants will be supported by a national curriculum consultant, and will work with both UNESCO staff (Chief of Education, Project Coordinator CapED), and Ministry of Education staff.
Objectives:
This assignment carries the following specific objectives:
- Increase awareness amongst Ministry of Education staff and curriculum stakeholders of best practices in curriculum framework development and curriculum syllabus development.
- In close collaboration with MoE, provide technical oversight to quality assure the MoE outputs (curriculum framework, life skills/competence framework and subject area scope and sequence), in line with MoE’s priorities as identified in the NESP III.
- In close collaboration with MoE, provide technical oversight to the development of a learning resources development plan, in line with the overall curriculum reform priorities and process.
- Build capacity of Ministry staff through collaborative engagement across all planned activities.
Duties and requirements
This is a technical coordination and support assignment. The consultant will perform the following duties:
- Recommend and justify best practice in curriculum framework and syllabus development
- Guide stakeholders (MoE staff, technical working groups convened for scope and sequence development) on making choices leading to a final curriculum framework based on feedback from the curriculum consultations, ongoing dialogue with MoER and curriculum stakeholders, and international best practices, and the general skills/competences scope and sequence and preliminary subject selection and lesson hour distribution in the draft curriculum framework.
- Quality assure the final curriculum framework product.
- Guide stakeholders (the technical working groups convened for the individual subject’s scope and sequence, international experts engaged for this task) on making curricular choices based on the curriculum framework, best practices, the general skills/competences scope and sequence, and subject characteristics, to ensure a coherent and robust syllabus scope and sequence.
- Ensure the deliverables produced in accordance with the duties and responsibilities specified in 2) and 3) are aligned with the proposal for Curriculum Reform submitted by UNESCO to the MoE, and the NESP III.
- Undertake modifications/updates to the Curriculum Reform Plan as needed
- Prepare briefs of the Curriculum Reform Plan for stakeholders as needed.
- Provide technical advice/presentations to the Curriculum Working Group (comprised of key stakeholders to the process of curriculum reform) throughout the assignment.
- Organize and co-facilitate workshops and consultations with MoE and stakeholders as required.
- Consult closely with MoE and key stakeholders at each stage of the assignment. All deliverables will be presented to MoE and relevant stakeholders (e.g. the Curriculum Working Group)
Deliverables:
Program, materials, and outcomes report prepared for a comprehensive National Consultation Workshop on Curriculum Reform. This workshop will present the overall curriculum reform process and the linkages between different curricular products (i.e. the curriculum framework, competence framework, syllabi, and textbooks) and support MOE to prepare for, and present, the draft documents externally. The outcomes report will be submitted in PPT and report format.
A quality assured curriculum framework and life skills/competence framework, and integration of life skills/competencies into syllabi MOE have developed. This will integrate feedback gained through the consultative process and approved by UNESCO for presentation to MOE;
A plan for learning resources development, presenting options based on international best practice and in alignment with MOE deadlines.
Proposed dates:
July 1st – September 30 (3 months). This is flexible, with a later start date possible depending on the selected experts’ availability.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education, social sciences, development studies or related area. A focus on curriculum studies is an asset.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- At least 10 years of relevant work experience in education, with a significant component of this experience acquired in curriculum-related fields.
- Experience in curriculum/textbook development educational consultancy or development work at the international level is strongly preferred.
- Excellent understanding of curriculum systems, policies, planning and capacity development
SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Experience in team working building and management of education programs.
- Good computer and other IT skills.
- Strong sensitivity and adaptability (cultural, gender, religion, race and nationality).
- Excellent strategic and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication skills, including writing and oral expression.
- Ability to interact with a wide range of high–level partners.
LANGUAGES
Excellent knowledge of English
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Experience in working in a post-conflict and post disaster (PCPD) context and a clear understanding of development work, particularly of capacity development.
- Previous experience with UN agencies and understanding of the UN system, including its administrative procedures, would be an asset. Previous experience in a curriculum-repated is an advantage.
How to apply:
HOW TO APPLY
The interested candidates should send the following documents to ki.consultant@unesco.org before June 19 2018 (by midnight, Kabul time), with subject KAB/EDU/2018/06
- a) An up-to-date curriculum vita;
- (b) A statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment;
- (c) An indication of the approach he/she would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO;
- (d) The overall cost of the assignment, expressed as an overall lump-sum. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately.
Please note that applications received after June 19 2018 (midnight Kabul time) will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for interview. UNESCO regrets its inability to reply individually or attend to telephone queries on the advertised post.