Functional Title: International Consultant for developing Human Resources Manual for Education Colleges
Organizational unit: UNESCO Myanmar Project Office **
Duty Station: Yangon, Myanmar**
Duration of the contract: 30 March 2020 to 31 July 2020
Type of contract: Individual consultant contract
Application deadline: 16 March 2020**
1. Background
UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), is working to strengthen pre-service teacher education in Myanmar through the “Strengthening pre-service Teacher Education in Myanmar (STEM)” project. The project addresses four fundamentally important aspects of pre-service teacher education: to formulate a policy framework of pre-service teacher education and identify standards for quality assurance; to improve a system of pre-service teacher training institutions - Education Colleges (ECs) - by restructuring and redesigning the curriculum and building networks amongst them for knowledge and experience sharing; to develop institutional and human resource management capacities of ECs; and to mainstream inclusion and equity issues in teacher education.
The MoE upgraded Myanmar’s 25 ECs starting in December 2019 from two-year diploma to four-year degree-awarding institutions in line with international standards of teacher education. In the recent expansion of ECs, efficient Human Resources (HR) management is imperative to run the institutions smoothly and effectively. The HR manual is a key reference document, which will guide the EC staff to perform well in their respective roles and able to work them together harmoniously, thereby promoting a constructive and inclusive work environment. Most importantly, this manual also serves as a supporting document for promoting instructional leadership and accountability that are based on principles of inclusion and equity for EC senior managers.
With support from UNESCO, MoE intends to develop a HR manual for ECs which will contain at least three key components, namely: 1) job descriptions for all positions in ECs; 2) core competencies of each position in ECs; and 3) up-to-date HR policies, rules and regulations related to ECs. UNESCO is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical expertise for developing the HR manual for ECs with inclusion and equity mainstreamed in each of the three components. The individual consultant will take into account the job descriptions/duties and functions of the old staffing structure of ECs and may make reference to qualification sheets developed by MoE, which include the minimum competency for each position. He/she will need to further generate competency-based job descriptions for all positions and develop core competencies for each position in ECs. The competencies should include ability to mainstream inclusion and equity issues in all HR management. Moreover, he/she is expected to review all policy documents related to HR management from MoE and make reference to Civil Services Personnel Rules and Civil Services Personnel Code of Conduct by Union Civil Service Board to prepare HR manual for ECs.
II. Objectives **
This consultancy is for the development of a HR manual for all ECs.
III. Assignments
Under the overall supervision of UNESCO Myanmar Head of Office, the Senior Education Project Officer and working closely with STEM Project Team in Myanmar, an Individual Consultant is sought to complete the following:
a. Conduct a desk review of policy statements and documents including but not limited to 1) Union Civil Services Board Law, Civil Services Personnel Law, Civil Services Personnel Rules, Civil Service Personnel Code of Conduct from Union Civil Service Board; 2) standard operation practices, rules and regulations related to HR management from MoE; and 3) previous studies, staffing structures and reports related to EC HR management;
b. Conduct field visits to at least four selected ECs within and outside Yangon (to be identified and confirmed by UNESCO) to better understand the challenges in HR management in the ECs;
c. Produce report of 10 to 15 pages (excluding annexes) about the desk review and field visits. This report should cover 1) an inception report including but not limited to a brief introduction, methodology (not more than three pages for all previous mentioned elements), findings and recommendations of areas of improvement needed in HR management in the ECs; and 2) an outline of HR manual for ECs;
d. Produce a draft HR manual for ECs, including but not limited to 1) job description of each position in ECs; 2) core competencies of each position in ECs; and 3) up-to-date HR polices, rules and regulations related to ECs, which have mainstreamed inclusion and equity, together with a PowerPoint presentation of the draft HR manual for consultations with the ECs;
e. Facilitate consultation meetings and collect feedback from UNESCO, MoE, ECs and relevant stakeholders. Incorporate relevant feedback to revise the draft HR manual for ECs and submit the final version to UNESCO;
f. Produce an advocacy brief introducing the finalized HR manual for ECs and proposing how the manual should be used in ECs;
g. Undertake missions for field work, presentations, consultation meetings in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon (dates to be confirmed by UNESCO); and
h. Communicate with UNESCO and its designated person(s) on a regular basis to update on the progress of the consultancy**.**
IV. Deliverables and timeline
An Individual Consultant is required to submit the following in editable Word documents with font size point 12 (Times New Roman), single line spacing and normal 1 inch margins. Those documents should be submitted in electronic copy by email as follows:
a. Submit a list of questions to guide desk review and to be asked in the EC field visit by 6 April 2020;
b. Submit an inception report as well as the outline of HR manual by 15 May 2020;
c. Produce first draft HR manual and presentation file by 10 June 2020;
d. Submit all supporting documents for travel (mission 1) such as original boarding passes and original visa fee receipts of official travel undertaken for reimbursement by 5 June 2020;
e. Submit a final version of the HR manual by 5 July 2020;
f. Produce an advocacy brief introducing the finalized HR manual for ECs and proposing how the manual should be used in ECs by 15 July 2020; and
g. Submit all supporting documents for travel (mission 2& 3) such as original boarding passes and original visa fee receipts of official travel undertaken for reimbursement by 15 July 2020.
V. Timing and duration of contract **
Five months’ part-time work over the period starting from 30 March 2020 to 31 July 2020. (Actual start date is subject to administrative procedures.)
VI. Location and travel **
The work will be mainly home-based with travel to Myanmar to a few selected ECs for field work and to attend face to face consultation meetings and presentations. At least three missions are anticipated for field work, consultation meetings and presentations in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and different regions and states where the few selected ECs are located in Myanmar.
VII. Fees
The lump sum is established on the basis of a daily rate or monthly rate based on UNESCO rules and regulations on the level of assignment and remuneration 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 and experience
It is mandatory to have:
• At least Master’s degree with specialization in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Public Policy or a related field;
• At least ten years of relevant experience in an Academic Administration and; Human Resource Management field; and
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and IT skills on office productivity tools.
It is desirable to have:
• Experience in qualitative techniques in desk research and field work;
• Experience in working in the education sector, preferably in higher education or teacher education;
• Experience in developing and/or reviewing HR manuals, procedures and guidelines;
• Experience in developing and/or reviewing manual for inclusive education and institutional approaches to equity; and
· Good knowledge of the Myanmar country context or context similar to Myanmar as an asset.
How to apply:
Interested applicants are invited to submit in writing to the UNESCO Myanmar Project Office:
A cover letter (in English), indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment, the methodologies and approaches to be adopted to carry out the assignment and the expected consultancy fee;
An up-to-date CV, with contact details including 1) mobile telephone numbers; 2) email address; and 3) Skype account;
Names and contact details of at least three referees; and
A writing sample in English.
Applications must be submitted to yangon@unesco.org by 16 March 2020 (23:59 Yangon time). Please include “HR Manual Development (STEM project)” in the subject line. Late submissions will not be considered.
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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.