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. The 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 Colleges (ECs)1 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 ECs,
· developing institutional/management and human resource capacities of ECs, and
· mainstreaming inclusion and equity issues in teacher education.
The STEM project has a strong component on promoting education for peace and sustainable development (EPSD) to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030. The national consultant will provide mainly programmatic, technical and implementation support in teacher education reforms with focus on ensuring the mainstreaming of equity and inclusion as well as EPSD.
II. Work Assignment:
The Individual Consultant shall perform the tasks under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Bangkok Regional Office, the direct supervision of the Head of UNESCO Myanmar
Project Office, and in close collaboration with UNESCO Education unit in Myanmar. The Individual consultant’s responsibilities include the following:
· Provide the technical support to ensure the balanced integration of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (EPSD) into the draft syllabi, TBs and TGs across 14 learning areas/ subjects of the Years 3-4 curriculum in terms of content, pedagogy and assessment;
· Support capacity building initiatives, together with materials development for MoE-assigned curriculum core team members to empower them for the integration of EPSD in the new EC curriculum;
· Provide the necessary support for the development of an CPD EPSD online module for teacher educators in ECs, which includes the review and provision of inputs for the module design and content as well as facilitation of the stakeholder consultation ;
· Support the capacity building initiatives and online module development for EC administration and management staff to take a whole-institution approach to EPSD, including strengthening sustainable development practices within ECs operations;
· Support the establishment of Center of Excellence for EPSD in three ECs including planning, implementation and monitoring;
· Provide the necessary support to the development of the communication materials and EPSD classroom toolkit;
· Support/facilitate the capacity building activities such as trainings and webinar sessions as required; and
· Undertake missions to oversee implementation of activities as required.
III. Deliverables and Timeline:
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 March and November 2021. All deliverables must be submitted with original, editable files, as well as high-resolution versions of final products (if applicable); and
A final report summarizing the activities carried out, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt over the contract period to be completed by the end of December 2021.
IV. Location and travel:
· The individual specialist will be based in UNESCO Myanmar Project Office in Yangon during the contract period. However, in accordance with the current health protocols for COVID-19 that are in place, s/he may be required to telework from home with occasional work in the Office. Travel outside Yangon is anticipated only if given favor on the COVID-19.
V. Fees:
· Mid-level national consultant; and
• 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.
VI. Qualifications:
Education:
· Master degree in fields of Education, development, social sciences or related fields.
Work experience:
· At least five years of working experience with an INGO and/or UN organization is preferred;
· At least five years of experience in the field of education development, particularly relating to sustainable development;
· Excellent knowledge on Myanmar education reform, particularly in teacher education;
· Experience in technical support for curriculum development as well as planning and delivery of trainings in Myanmar; and
· Experience collaborating with a range of government officials, educational institutions, development partners, international organizations and academic institutions will be an advantage.
Skills and competencies:
· Ability to think strategically and problem solve creatively;
· Ability to work in a demanding environment;
· Proficiency in written and spoken English;
· Proficiency in using common office IT tools and typing in Myanmar fonts, particularly Unicode font;
· Ability to work in a multicultural environment; and
· Ability to work with flexibility and collaboration is essential.
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 “National Consultant – EPSD”, 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; and
d) The contact details of three referees.
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 no later than 17:00 Hours (Yangon time) on 25 February 2021.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.