Myanmar: International Consultant in Strategic Planning

Call for Consultancy (Individual)

(Positionlocatedin UNESCO Myanmar Project Office in Yangon, Myanmar) Terms of Reference

Date Issued: 19 August 2019

FunctionalTitle: International Consultant in Strategic Planning

Organizationalunit: UNESCO Myanmar Project Office

DutyStation: Yangon, Myanmar

Durationofthecontract: 16 September 2019 to 31 December 2019

Type of contract: Individual Consultant

Applicationdeadline: 1 September 2019

StartDate: 16 September 2019

I. Background

UNESCO Myanmar provides responsive, relevant and timely technical support to the Ministry of Education (MOE) in its pre-service teacher education reform which is one of the nine transformational shifts of the Myanmar National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) 2016-2021. Through the "Strengthening Pre-service Teacher Education in Myanmar" (STEM) project, UNESCO aims to improve the pre-service teacher education system in Myanmar through policy and institutional capacity development of Myanmar's Education Degree Colleges. The STEM Project is preparing to enter Phase III of implementation from 2020 to 2022. Recognizing that the scope and complexity of the teacher education reform will require a long-term effort, UNESCO seeks to develop a 6-year strategic programme of its support to MOE in the implementation of its reform agenda.

II. Work Assignment

Under the overall authority of the Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education and the direct supervision of Head of Project Office in Myanmar, and working in close collaboration with the Senior Project Officer and the team members for the STEM Project in UNESCO Myanmar Project Office, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

· Carry out a desk review of all documents and reports related to the STEM project including project documents, progress reports and evaluations of Phase I and Phase II as well as documents and reports related to pre- and in-service teacher education and training planned or being implemented by other development partners, in particular, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), British Council, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF);

· Conduct interviews with key officials directly responsible for Teacher Education within the Department of Higher Education as well as the Department which will lead the development of the next NESP at the Ministry of Education to understand the national priorities for the teacher education reform and the process for the next NESP preparation cycle;

· Conduct interviews and consultations with policy makers, stakeholders and development partners involved in the teacher education reform including but not limited to members of the Teacher Task Force, National Education Policy Commission (NEPC), National Curriculum Committee (NCC), National Academic and Quality Assurance assessment committee (NAQAC), and teacher unions as well as Education Degree College (EDC) principals, teacher educators, student teachers, World Bank, ADB, DFID, British Council, JICA and UNICEF;

· Draft an outline of the 6-year STEM strategic programme document taking into consideration the 3-year project document of STEM Phase III and in close consultation with the STEM Project Team members; and

· Develop a 6-year STEM strategic programme document based on the findings of the desk review and the outcomes of the interviews and consultations with policy makers, stakeholders and development partners as well as in close consultation with the STEM Project Team members. The detailed findings of the desk review and the outcomes of the interviews and consultations are to be attached as an annex as part of the strategic programme document.

III. Deliverables and Timeline

1. Outline of the 6-year STEM strategic programme document by 18 October 2019; and

2. Final 6-year STEM strategic programme document by 6 December 2019.

IV. Location and travel

The consultant will be home-based with one mission travel to Yangon, Myanmar which may include a visit to Nay Pyi Taw.

V. Fees

· The lump sum is established on the basis of a daily or monthly rate based on UNESCO rules and regulations and depending on qualifications; and

· Travel costs for missions undertaken within the context of the assignment will be reimbursed as per UNESCO rules and regulations.

VI. Qualification

Education and experience:

· Advanced degree, equivalent to a MA in educational development, international development and/or strategic planning;

· At least 10 years of experience for senior level consultancy in the field of international education and development, based on UNESCO rules and regulations; and

· Good knowledge of the Myanmar country context would be desirable.

Skills and competencies:

· Excellent strategic planning and analytical skills;

· Excellent knowledge of results-based programming;

· Strong written and spoken communications skills in English language;

· Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and interpersonal skills;

· Ability to interact with people at various professional levels and diverse backgrounds;

· Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment;

· Task- and results-oriented with ability to prioritize and organize work within deadlines; and

· Strong organizational skills, tact and discretion.

Interested consultants are invited to apply to the UNESCO Project Office in Myanmar with:

1. A cover letter (in English) and clearly referencing “International Consultant in Strategic Planning”, indicatinghow your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the position;

2. An up-to-date CV, with contact details including home, mobile telephone numbers and email address;

3. Names, titles and contact details of three referees;

4. Proposed number of working days, consultancy fee and travel costs; and

5. Samples and references of previous similar work.

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation best value for money.

Your application should be submitted by e-mail to yangon@unesco.org no later than 17:00 Hours (Yangon time) on 1 September 2019 (Sunday). Please note that size of email should not exceed 8MB. For heavy files, please use file sharing options like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.