Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 11 Aug 2016
Background and rationale:
A relevant, high quality curriculum is essential to ensuring education systems equip learners with the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and values to participate and contribute meaningfully to their communal and economic contexts. Whilst acknowledging the enormous progress made since 2002 in expanding access to education to all groups within society, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) now considers the improvement of quality in its education system to be a key priority in the next 5 years. Underpinned by broader concerns about learner achievement, the Government also seeks to improve the preparedness of youth for employment and better ensure its education systems foster the inclusiveness needed for continued national reintegration, in part by revisions and improvements to the education system.
The third National Education Strategic Plan (NESP III), currently under finalization, positions improved quality alongside continued expansion of access to education and sector-wide management reform as its guiding priorities through to 2021. A critical component of quality improvement is comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum reform.
A request was made to UNESCO in June 2015 by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to prepare the foundations for sector-wide curriculum reform. Through its Capacity Development for Education 2030 (CapED) program and in partnership with the MoE, UNESCO has developed a proposal for curriculum reform, tentatively entitled the Curriculum Improvement Program for Afghanistan (CIPA). This consultancy will lay the initial foundations for the activities foreseen in the CIPA Proposal.
Afghanistan’s national curriculum was last revised in 2011. The current curriculum document is part framework, and part syllabus, and part teaching and assessment guide. A key component of the CIPA proposal is the revision of not only this document, but the full suite of texts (e.g. textbooks, teacher guides) which comprise the ‘official’ or intended curriculum. As part of this revision, it is desired that the current curriculum document be revised and strengthened, into a separate curriculum framework, curriculum syllabus, and learning assessment framework. This consultancy is an initial step towards the production of the first of these intended outputs, the curriculum framework.
It is possible that this activity may be extended into 2017, depending on availability of funding, to encompass the finalization of the curriculum framework and further work in the field of curriculum reform.
Purpose of this TOR:
This TOR has been developed to recruit an international expert to support the initiation of the revision of the Afghan national education curriculum. It is expected that the assignment will establish the basis for the finalization of the curriculum framework and thereby the revision of the curriculum syllabus and instructional materials.
Objectives:
This assignment carries the following specific objectives:
Increase awareness amongst Ministry of Education staff and curriculum stakeholders of best practices in curriculum framework development.
Compile a clear picture of stakeholder perceptions of aspects of the current curriculum document which will be included in the revised curriculum framework, and also of stakeholder recommendations for improvement in these areas.
Provide a roadmap towards finalization of the revised curriculum framework, and further work towards the revision of other elements of the official curriculum (e.g. syllabus).
Build capacity of Ministry staff through collaborative engagement across all planned activities.
Duties and responsibilities:
The consultant will perform the following duties:
Recommend and justify best practice in curriculum framework development
In close consultation with MoE staff, develop a comprehensive program and set of materials for the planned National Curriculum Consultations.
Facilitate the National Curriculum Consultations, in close coordination with UNESCO Kabul staff and the MoE.
Prepare a final summary report detailing the outcomes of the Consultations
In close consultation with MoE, prepare an Action Plan towards final revision of the curriculum framework.
Ensure this Action Plan is in alignment with the proposal for Curriculum Reform submitted by UNESCO to the MoE, and the NESP III.
Provide technical advice to the Curriculum Working Group (comprised of key stakeholders to the process of curriculum reform) throughout the assignment.
Consult closely with MoE and key stakeholders at each stage of the assignment. All deliverables will be presented to MoE (fortnightly presentations with MoE staff are envisaged) and relevant stakeholders (e.g. the Curriculum Working Group)
Deliverables:
- An initial Desk Review of current, relevant international best practice in curriculum framework development.
The desk review will address two key questions: a) the rationale for an independent curriculum framework document as part of the suite of official curriculum documents, and b) recommended best practices in the development of an independent curriculum framework, drawing on relevant examples for neighboring countries and post-conflict/fragile states.
- The preparation of a Workshop Consultation Program.
This consultancy assignment supports a concurrent series of National Curriculum Consultations planned at the national/subnational level. These Consultations will convene stakeholders to further discuss the proposed curriculum reform and evaluate aspects of the current curriculum. The Consultant will work closely with MoE in the development of a detailed program for these Consultations, including objectives, expected outcomes, methodologies, and curriculum framework evaluation tools which will target feedback from the participants on the aspects of the current curriculum document which are envisaged to inform the revised curriculum framework document. These will include learning objectives, learning outcomes (defined as the competencies learners will be expected to have acquired by different exit points from the education system. This does not refer to the subject or grade-specific standards), learning areas, individual subjects taught and subject/learning area time allocation. The development of these evaluation tools will necessitate a critical familiarity with the current Afghan curriculum.
- A Summary Report and Action Plan.
This deliverable will document the outcomes of the National Curriculum Consultations and propose a roadmap for the future work of curriculum framework revision and its context in the overall process of curriculum reform. The outcomes of the consultations are expected to include recommendations which will inform the final curriculum framework revision.
The fees for each deliverable will be paid in USD.
Proposed dates:
September 1-December 31 (4 months)
Conditions of Work
The consultant will be provided with office space in UNESCO while in Kabul including equipment, office stationaries, printing, photocopying, and communication equipment.
The consultant will be required to conduct travel within the Kabul region and to selected provinces. All travel is subject to UN security clearances, and will be in UN vehicles only. The UNESCO Office in Kabul will supply the vehicle when required and other logistical support (e.g. radios). Mandatory security training (three days) is required on arrival in Kabul.
Accommodation will be arranged by the UNESCO Office in Kabul and will be in premises cleared by the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in Afghanistan.
A period of time away from Afghanistan during the consultancy for the purposes of rest and recuperation may be negotiated.
Supervisory arrangements:
The consultancy will be undertaken under the overall supervision of the Director and Representative of the UNESCO Office in Afghanistan and the direct supervision of the Chief of Education and the CapED Project Officer.
Qualifications:
Advanced university degree in education, preferably with a focus on curriculum studies
At least 10 years of relevant work experience in education, with a significant component of this experience acquired in curriculum-related fields.
Experience in curriculum/educational consultancy or development work at the international level is strongly preferred.
Excellent understanding of curriculum systems, policies, planning and capacity development
Excellent analytical and report writing skills
Advanced cross-cultural communication skills
High-level drafting and communication capacity in English
Experience working in Afghanistan is an asset
How to apply:
Candidates are requested to send their application, including a CV (one in free format and one in the UNESCO format, available at https://en.unesco.org/careers/media/3705 ) and cover letter (in English) briefly outlining the methodology and activity plan proposed for completing the defined deliverables within the designated time period to the UNESCO Kabul email ki.consultant@unesco.org before midnight (Afghanistan time), August 11 2016.
All applications must be submitted by email, including the position title in the email subject line. Ʈ