Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 16 Dec 2018
Title: Consultant (Curriculum Reform)
Domain: Education
Grade: Mid-level
Post Number: KAB/ED/Const/18/12/02
Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan
Type of contract: Consultant
Annual salary: Based on the organization’s salary scale
Duration of the contract: Three months (with possibility of extension)
Deadline (midnight, Kabul time)**: 16/Dec/2018**
Application to be sent to: k.human-resource@unesco.org
Background and context:
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 and SIDA, the MoE has been supported to conduct national curriculum consultations, and draft its curriculum framework. Syllabi 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.
The consultant will perform the following duties:
Lead development, refinement and implementation of curriculum reform program work plans.
Support the overall coordination of the curriculum reform program by liaising with the main government counterparts to implement program activities in a high-quality and timely manner.
Ensure regular communication and consultation with national and international stakeholders (eg. Ministry of Education, UNICEF, SIDA and UNESCO HQ). Oversee the organization of seminars, national conferences, consultation meetings and other activities in line with approved curriculum reform program work plans.
Work with Chief of the Education Unit to liaise with international partners such as UNICEF and other UN entities, the World Bank, SIDA, and NGOs, on matters relating to curriculum reform.
Monitor the implementation of the curriculum reform program work plans and prepare budget revisions as necessary.
Analyze, edit and compile other documentation and prepare briefing papers, website articles, and reports to stakeholders and donors and for internal use, particularly with a view to making strategic decisions and adding technical value and input to program activities.
Specific Tasks:
Develop detailed work plan and budget for curriculum reform program for 2019.
Plan High Level Technical Workshop on Syllabi Reform for Ministry of Education General Curriculum Division.
Plan socialization pilot of Curriculum Framework documents and field mission to Herat (or similar location).
Deliverables:
Submission of detailed work plan document and budget.
Implementation plan, program outline and report on workshop.
Completed field report outlining recommendations for next phase of socialization of curriculum reform documents.
Competencies
A successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Teamwork
Innovation
Results focus
Planning and organizing
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework
Required qualifications
Education:
· An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in education and/or business administration.
· Advanced cross-cultural communication skills
· High-level drafting and communication capacity in English
· Previous experience working in Afghanistan is a strong asset.
Work Experience:
· At least 5 years’ of relevant work experience in education and project management, acquired at national and international levels, preferably related to education policy and planning
· At least 5 years’ experience in senior-level government liaison and representation in international contexts
· Senior-level project planning in education contexts
· 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-related program is an advantage
· Excellent understanding of school-level curriculum systems, policies, planning and capacity development in Afghanistan
· Proven analytical and report writing skills, development of concept notes, work programs and budgets.
How to apply:
Candidates are requested to send their application to the UNESCO Kabul email k.human-resource@unesco.org before midnight on 16 December 2018 (Afghanistan time).
All applications must be submitted by email, including the position title (KAB/ED/Const/18/12/02) in the email subject line. Applications should include the following:
a) An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
b) A statement indicating how their qualifications and experience make them suitable for the assignment;
c) A brief financial statement indicating the overall cost of the assignment. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately.