Switzerland: Senior Consultant in Curriculum (11 months)

Senior Consultant in curriculum localized in Geneva: Request to submit a written proposal for a work assignment with UNESCO

1.Background and Objective As a specialized Category institute, the IBE is an integral part of UNESCO and enjoys considerable autonomy. It is the International Centre of Excellence in Curriculum and Learning and is valued for its specialist knowledge, expertise and networks, and for providing curriculum support services that include up-to-date, evidence-based information and technical assistance to UNESCO Member States. The IBE offers strategic advice, technical assistance tailored to specific country needs, short and long term capacity-development opportunities, and provides access to cutting edge knowledge in the field of curriculum.

2. Purpose of the Assignment Within the framework of the Innovation and Leadership in Curriculum and Learning Programme, UNESCO-IBE seeks services of a consultant to contribute to the implementation of IBE focus areas “Innovation and Leadership in Curriculum and Learning” and “Critical and Current Issues in Curriculum and Learning”. These focus areas refers to four main functions of IBE: norms and standard setting, laboratory of ideas, capacity development and leadership for global dialogue and advocacy for curriculum and learning. It encompasses the reconceptualization and repositioning of curriculum in national and regional development agendas within Education 2030, repositioning curriculum as an indispensable tool for Lifelong Learning (LLL) and the analysis of critical and current issues in curriculum – mainly ECCE, youth education, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), STEM and inclusive education- with the view to developing curriculum guidelines, frameworks, prototypes and tools for areas of high demand and where Member States have less experience.

3. Tasks and Expected Output:
He/she will:

1. Conduct, manage, follow-up and assess the impact of technical assistance to Member States with regard to the design, development and implementation of balanced and responsive curricula within a life-long perspective and across levels of the education system.
2. Contribute to the production of guidelines, frameworks, prototypes and tools for the development of responsive curricula as well as to the development and assessment of leaners’ competencies acquired through such curricula.
3. Contribute to the production of guidelines, frameworks, prototypes and tools for mainstreaming critical and current issues in curriculum and learning into existing curricula and the syllabus.
4. Contribute to the design, implementation, follow-up and assessment, of initiatives and projects relating to ECCE, youth education, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), STEM and inclusive education.
5. Conduct applied research as well as broad consultations with stakeholders – Ministries of Education (education policy makers, curriculum developers/specialists, supervisors, principals, educators, teachers’ trainers, researchers, etc.), universities, social sectors, civil society and development partners - on needs, issues, trends, strategies and effective practices relating to the development of curricula across levels of the education system.
6. Contribute to the production of thematic modules as adds-on to IBE Curriculum Resource Packs (CRP) encompassing critical and current issues in curriculum and learning and with the view to support training through the IBE-UNESCO diploma/masters courses on curriculum and learning as well as to other capacity-development activities.
7. Participate as a trainer in the diploma/master courses, customized workshops and any other capacity-development related activities.
8. Forge partnerships, elaborate project proposals and mobilize resources to implement initiatives mainly relating to IBE focus areas “Innovation and Leadership in Curriculum and Learning” and “Critical and Current Issues in Curriculum and Learning”.
9. Contribute effectively to the broader scope of the work of the IBE.

The consultancy will be undertaken for a period of 11 months at IBE in Geneva.

4. Deliverables

1. Generic competency framework for development responsive curricula.
2. Generic national framework for the development and assessment of competencies.
3. Normative balanced curricula as well as guidelines, frameworks, prototypes and tools for developing curricula for ECCE, basic and youth education.
4. Compendium of approaches and methodologies for curriculum responsiveness.
5. Initiatives and projects implemented with regard to critical and current issues in curriculum and learning.
6. Technical assistance provided to Member States.
7. MOEs staff trained on curriculum design and development through IBE-UNESCO diploma/masters courses.

5. Qualifications and experience

Academic qualifications

• Advanced University Degree (Master level or equivalent) in Curriculum or Learning or Pedagogy. A PH degree will be an asset.

Years of relevant work experience

• 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in the field of curriculum design and development across different levels of the educational system, of which preferably 3 to 5 years acquired at international level.

• Solid experience in conducting consultation and collaboration with MoEs, universties, social sectors, civil society and global development partners.

• Solid experience in supporting countries in implementing processes of curriculum renewal, design and development and with a focus in one of the following critical issues: ECCE, youth education, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), STEM and inclusive education.Experience on any of the other two of the above-listed areas would be a great asset.

Competencies

• A self-starter and good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Strong and demonstrated ability to write and edit compelling, clear, and accurate content to diverse audiences, for general publication;
• Excellent planning and time management skills, and ability
• Ability, to identify and solve problems, work under pressure and organize and complete complex projects and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and set priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to lead and effectively manage and inspire task teams
• High familiarity with publication processes and requirements
• Very Good IT skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Prezi, Pubisher, etc.)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with countries and partners in diverse multicultural contexts
• Understanding of the relevant business processes, operating strategies, policies and procedures within the UN environment.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English and good knowledge of French or Spanish. Knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.

6. Supervisory arrangements

• The consultancy will be undertaken under the overall supervision of the Director of the IBE and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Specialist in charge of the Innovation and Leadership in Curriculum and Learning Programme.

7. Facilities to be provided by UNESCO (if any)

• UNESCO-IBE will provide an office space, email address and a PC.

Request for written proposal

UNESCO is inviting written proposals from Individual Consultants; for the work assignment described in attachment A. To enable you to prepare a proposal for this assignment, please find attached the following documents:

• (a) Terms of Reference (see attachement A);

• (b) UNESCO’s contract for Individual Consultants; the contracting modality used for these assignments (see attachement B);

• (c) Background material concerning the work assignment [if any] (see attachement C).

Your written should comprise:

• (a) A Technical Proposal consisting of - an up to date curriculum vitae, and - an approach and methodology for the assignment, a work plan and comments on the Terms of Reference if any (in brief).

• (b) The amount to be charged for the assignment, which should be quoted in US dollars or in euros only. Please show any travel costs separately.

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 proposal should be submitted by e-mail no later than close of business (18:00) on 31 May 2016. E-mail proposals should not exceed 5MB.

• The e-mail address is: l.ji@unesco.org

Your proposal and any supporting documents must be in English.

Any relevant background information/documents:

• Background information on ECCE/Innovation and Leadership in Curriculum and Learning programme can be accessed online from the link below: http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/ibe-council-sessions/65th-session-2016.