INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT – Teacher Education Planning, Management and Monitoring

I. 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 the ECs, efficient administration and management is imperative to run the institutions smoothly and effectively.

Among various project activities, the STEM project has been supporting MoE in projecting national teacher need and building scenarios using a tailor-made simulation model. A national resource plan was developed and presented to MoE for planning on resource allocation to support the upgrade of ECs. In parallel, capacity development workshops were organized to train MoE staff at the central level and at the institution level about how to use the simulation model to project teacher need and resource need.

Under the project, planning and management skills of MoE staff will be further strengthened for better data-driven planning. Upcoming work of the project will include providing technical assistance to support resource planning on upgrading individual ECs, systematically strengthening professional development opportunities for EC managers through development and delivery of continuing professional development activities in planning, financial and human resource management; and providing opportunities for staff at ECs – and the Department of Higher Education (DHE), where applicable – to develop skills to use ICT for planning, administration, and management, including using Education Management Information System and simulation models to project teacher needs.

An international consultant is recruited to provide technical expertise and project implementation support relating to teacher education planning and management, as well as monitoring of implementation of the STEM project activities.

II. Work Assignments:

Under the overall authority of the Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, the direct supervision of the Head of Office in Myanmar, the day-to-day guidance of the Senior Education Project Officer and in close collaboration with the STEM project team, the Individual Specialist will provide technical expertise and project implementation support relating to Outcome 3 of the STEM project, particularly on teacher education planning and management, as well as monitoring of implementation of the STEM project activities through performing the following tasks:

· Provide advice on the overall strategies under Outcome 3 of the STEM project and assist in planning and implementing the activities according to the work plan;

· Design and deliver capacity development activities to support individual ECs to make use of the simulation models and related tools to project teacher need and resource need in preparation for the upgrade of each EC, working in collaboration with the technical expert from UNESCO Bangkok;

· Review and provide technical input on the draft Human Resources and Administration Manual and draft continuing professional development modules to strengthen planning, financial and human resource management of EC management and administration staff;

· Assist in producing meeting minutes, concept notes, briefing notes and presentation files, as well as reviewing project documents and technical reports relating to the STEM project, with focus on Outcome 3 activities;

· Support monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the STEM project activities, including but not limited to drafting a monitoring and evaluation framework with input from the team and the stakeholders, compiling and analyzing data and evidence of the implementation progress of project activities, producing quarterly progress reports and drafting appropriate narratives and impact stories for inclusion in reporting;

· Conduct a brief research into approaches on how value for money can be measured, in consultation with the donors and the Ministry of Education, and recommend indicators, targets and means for measuring value for money of the project;

· Contribute to the development of advocacy and public information materials related to teacher education in Myanmar and STEM project activities in general, and in particular to strengthening planning, financial and human resource management of ECs; and

· Ensure inclusion and equity are taken into account in planning and implementing the above activities.

III. Deliverables and Timeline:

1. Monthly progress reports on the achievements and challenges encountered in delivering the outputs related to the work assignment by the end of each month between July and December 2020;

2. A final report summarizing the activities carried out, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt over the contract period to be completed by the end of January 2021; and

3. A mission report, indicating the purpose of each mission, main activities including what was done during the mission, persons met and main points discussed, outcomes of the mission and follow up action points, is required to be submitted within two weeks after the end of each mission.

IV. Location and travel:

1. The Individual Specialist will be based in UNESCO Myanmar Project Office in Yangon, with travel to Nay Pyi Taw and other field sites as required.

2. The Individual Specialist will be provided with a round-trip economy class air ticket between his/her place of origin and the duty station Yangon, Myanmar, in addition to the terminal fares as per UNESCO rules and regulations.

3. During the contract period, the Individual Specialist will undertake two one-day domestic missions to Nay Pyi Taw and two two-day domestic missions to Nay Pyi Taw.

4. During the contract period, the Individual Specialist's necessary visa and stay permit fees will be reimbursed by UNESCO.

5. For all domestic missions, airfares, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and terminal fares within the context of the assignments will be reimbursed by UNESCO as per UNESCO rules and regulations.

6. The Individual Specialist is responsible for obtaining UNDSS security clearance prior to each approved mission.

7. A mission report, indicating the purpose of each mission, main activities including what was done during the mission, persons met and main points discussed, outcomes of the mission and follow up action points, is required to be submitted within two weeks after the end of each mission.

V. Fees:

· Middle level international consultant;

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

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

VI. Required Qualifications for Specialized Knowledge/Experience:

Education and experience:

· At least Master’s degree with specialization in education, economics, management studies, international development or a related field;

· At least five years of experience in the field of education development, preferably relating to education planning and management, as well as monitoring and evaluation. Previous experience in teacher education or higher education reforms, preferably in the developing country contexts, would be desirable; and

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

Skills and competencies:

· Proven research and analytical skills; excellent organizational skills; proficiency in using common office ICT productivity tools; ability to work independently on delegated tasks and collaboratively in a multi-cultural environment; excellent communication skills; and excellent writing and speaking skills in English.

How to apply:

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

a) A cover letter (in English) and clearly referencing “International Consultant – Teacher Education Planning, Management and Monitoring”, indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment, and the methodology and approach(es) to be adopted to carry out the assignment;

b) The expected consultancy fee;

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

d) The contact details of three referees; and

e) A writing sample.

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 reach yangon@unesco.org by email (please mention “International Consultant: STEM Outcome 3” in email subject line) no later than 17:00 Hours Yangon time, GMT +6:30, on 31 May 2020.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.