Myanmar: International Consultant - Development of Continuing Professional Development Framework for Management Staff and Teacher Educators in Education Degree

Call for Consultancy

International Consultant -

Development of Continuing Professional Development Framework for Management Staff and Teacher Educators in Education Degree Colleges

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Date issued: 9 August 2019

Functional Title: International Consultant - Continuing Professional Development Framework for Education Degree Colleges

Organizational unit: UNESCO Myanmar Project Office

Duty Station: Yangon, Myanmar

Duration of the contract: 1 September 2019 to 31 January 2020

Application deadline: 30 August 2019

I.Background

UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), is working to strengthen pre-service teacher education in Myanmar through reform measures outlined in the National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) 2016-21. A project named “Strengthening pre-service Teacher Education in Myanmar (STEM)” addresses four fundamentally important aspects of pre-service teacher education. These include:

· formulating a policy framework of pre-service teacher education and identifying standards for quality assurance,

· improving a system of pre-service teacher training institutions – Education Degree Colleges (EDCs) by designing the new four-year degree programme of pre-service teacher education and creating good networks to accumulate and share knowledge and experiences of all EDCs,

· developing institutional/management and human resource capacities of EDCs, and

· mainstreaming inclusion and equity issues in teacher education.

The MoE is planning to upgrade Myanmar’s 25 EDCs, which train primary and middle school teachers across the country, from two-year diploma to four-year degree-awarding institutions in line with international standards of teacher education. As the four-year degree programme will commence in December 2019, the key to a successful implementation of this reform is to strengthen the management and leadership skills of the management staff and the professional teaching skills of teacher educators in teacher education institutions through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes over the long term.

As such, UNESCO will assist the MoE in developing an overall framework for CPD for EDC management staff and teacher educators. This framework will include but not limited to options for models of delivery, suggestions of the capacity areas which need to be strengthened, and guidelines for the development of CPD course modules. Furthermore, it will support the development of course modules of CPD programmes for management staff and teacher educators in the EDCs.

II.Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to produce a CPD Framework for management staff and teacher educators in the EDCs.

III.Assignments

The consultant will perform the tasks under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, the direct supervision of the Head of Office of UNESCO Myanmar Project Office, the Senior Education Project Officer and in close collaboration with the STEM project team. The consultant will be responsible for the development of a CPD framework for EDC management staff and teacher educators, in close collaboration with MoE. The main tasks include:

a. conduct a desk review of existing studies and evaluation reports to map out the current capacity as well as gaps in the knowledge and skills of the management and teaching staff of EDCs. The desk review will also look at international and regional best practices in 1) CPD framework for pre-service teacher training institutions, and 2) role of pre-service teacher training institutions in in-service teacher training. These should include options for effective collaboration between EDCs and the planned National Center for Teacher Professional Development (NCTPD);

b. conduct field visits to the selected EDCs (to be identified and confirmed by UNESCO) to collect data on existing CPD programmes and interview management staff and teacher educators to assess their capacity development needs and priorities. Specific focus should be given to identifying capacity needs in EDCs to enhance inclusive education and equitable management;

c. produce a 20 pages max (excluding annexes) report detailing the findings from tasks (a) and (b) above and provide an outline of a CPD framework. Both the report and CPD framework should include findings and recommendations related to inclusive education and equitable CPD management;

d. produce a draft CPD framework and a PowerPoint presentation for consultations, reflecting on the results and findings from the desk review and field work, and provide options for 1) delivery modalities; 2) guidelines for development of CPD course modules; and 3) topics for CPD modules to support for management staff and teacher educators to successfully implement the EDC reform;

e. facilitate consultation meetings and collect feedback from UNESCO, MoE, EDCs and relevant stakeholders such as development partners working on CPD during the consultation meetings. Use the feedback to revise the draft CPD framework and submit the final version to UNESCO;

f. undertake missions for field work, presentations, consultation meetings in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon; and

g. communicate with UNESCO on a regular basis to update on the progress of the consultancy.

IV.Deliverables and timeline

a. Submit a report on the findings of the desk review and field work as well as an outline of the CPD framework by 25 October 2019;

b. Produce a draft CPD framework and presentation file by 30 November 2019;

c. Finalise the CPD framework as well as the presentation file and all supporting documents (such as original boarding passes and original visa fee receipts) of official travel undertaken for reimbursement by 15 January 2020.

V.Timing and duration of contract

Five months’ part-time work over the period starting from 1 September 2019 to 31 January 2020.

VI.Location and travel

The work will be mainly home-based with travel to a selected few EDCs for field work and to attend consultation meetings and presentations. At least two missions are anticipated for field work, consultation meetings and presentations in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and different regions and states in Myanmar.

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

VIII.Qualifications

Education:

· At least Master’s degree with specialization in education, development studies and social sciences (preferably in teacher education) or a related field.

Work experience:

· At least five years of experience for Middle Level, with a preference for at least 10 years of experience for Senior Level in teacher education at national and international levels;

· Previous experience in teacher continuing professional development design, preferably at the international level, would be desirable;

· Experience in capacity development for inclusive education and institutional approaches to equity are a strength; and

· Good knowledge of the Myanmar country context or context similar to Myanmar as an asset.

Skills and competencies:

· Technically sound research skills;

· Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative techniques in desk research and field work;

· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;

· Strong skill in presenting information in a clear and concise manner; and

· Working knowledge of Myanmar would be an asset, but is not required.

Interested applicants are invited to submit in writing to the UNESCO Project Office in Myanmar:

1. A cover letter (in English) and clearly referencing “**International Consultant – STEM Project CPD Framework”, indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment,** and approach(es) to be adopted to carry out the assignment and expected fee;

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

3. A writing sample in English.

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 30 August 2019.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.