Support to Ministry of Education and Science in development of TV Programming for uninterrupted learning for primary level children, parents and communities
Job no: 538773
Position type: Consultancy
Location: Tajikistan Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS
School/Unit: Tajikistan
Department/Office: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Categories: Education, NO-3
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BACKGROUND:
UNICEF CO and partners are supporting the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) in the development of innovative mechanisms to ensure the continuity of learning for every child and adolescent in the country during COVID 19 pandemic. The immediate action after analysis of connectivity in Tajikistan is to support schools by using TV to connect students and educators for uninterrupted home learning. The effort of reimagining learning outside of the traditional classroom requires a close collaboration between UNICEF and MoES as well as the development of instructional, content, technology and institutional agreements. Therefore, the task is to support in the design and production of a total of 2045 TV lessons as an alternative education delivery system for all subjects. It entails reviewing existing quality resources, best teaching practices, analysis of capacities and context and establishing appropriate monitoring systems for response including data collection and analysis.
PURPOSE:
The consultant will be requested to support UNICEF with the organizational and preparation work including:
a.) training of methodologists, teachers and project management team by overseeing technical work on TV lessons development for grades 1-4;
b.) support the recording of 36 digital TV lessons and their final processing/validation from the MoES.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The activity will ensure the finalization 10 minute recorded, age specific, inclusive lessons (subject driven), that interactively unpacks concepts, principles and theories using narratives, clear descriptive languages (including sing language) and practical applications focusing on project-based assignments. The model lessons exhibit a range of sample lessons in a classroom using different available visuals, animation, special effects and sophisticated editing, using pedagogical and methodical models of distant learning. The recorded lessons are based on an adapted competency-based lesson plans and teachers guides for students starting from grades 1 to 4. Therefore, consultant will be requested to work with specific grades and number of methodologists who are working with teachers to produce lesson scripts for each subject and themes. The consultants will be also required to plan coherency of timing for livestreaming of lesson according to align to the level of the students' self-regulation and cognitive abilities. Preferably, the unit for primary school students should not be more than 10 minutes. In this regard, the consultants are required to follow the phase to phase approach already agreed with the MoES to develop 360 digital TV lessons as a strategy to ensure quality and quantity of video lesson production.
General steps and requirements for TV lesson development
Producing quality and inclusive video lessons for 1-4 grades is challenging and lengthy process. It determines methodologist and teacher's professionalism and dedication to explore new and innovative ways to help students to continue their learning despite any restrictions. The following steps have been taken to ensure the quality of produced video materials.
1. Teachers and methodologists capacity building and analysis of teaching and learning materials.
The most important stage is capacity building of education staff involved in the process. Teachers and methodologists are key elements of producing video lessons. Training focuses on elements of design thinking by setting clearly defined outcomes and accurately format the video lessons themselves. The number of teachers involved, and their capacity building will increase when producing all subjects and grades. It is planned that 30 teachers will be trained to produce estimated 360 video lessons for grades 1- 4 and subjects. Additionally, 6 methodologists will be involved to support teachers during production of the TV lessons.
2. Writing video scripts and design of video lessons.
Writing video scripts starts with the analysis of existing content and study of application of certain demonstrative and innovative techniques that can be used to make video lessons more child friendly. It is also about ensuring dress code for teachers and standards for screening, design of different components and expertly evaluating of each element with methodologists and consultants. Teachers will learn to prepare a trial version of the video script by selecting or creating images, animation and interactive effects, determining audio and video sequences before going to filming.
3. Review and evaluation process
The purpose of review and evaluation process is to check the quality of the video scripts to improve it before it goes to filming. This process is done together with methodologists and consultants. When it is filmed two more review process are in place to ensure that the produced materials meet the requirements set by clear quality standards. Before distributing the lessons to national TVs and other platfrom, a final review is done by the MoES specialists ensuring endorsement of the developed video lessons.
Scope of activates from March to December 2021
Overall, 360 TV lesson for grades 1 to 4 - primary levels. Developed TV lessons will contribute into educational and developmental needs of given age groups of children, including the most marginalized groups (children with disabilities, ethnic minorities, girls and the poorest). The lessons will include topics of five domains of child development covering theoretical and practical sides of child wellbeing and school readiness. The lessons will be used as follows:
Complementary educational material (when schools are open) - this is to addresses the general purpose of having quality supplementary learning support to be used for advancing Competency Based Education Reform in the Republic of Tajikistan (e.g. modelling, reinforcing instruction, further explaining subjects and concepts, etc.).
Structured distance learning modalities supporting blended learning (when schools are closed) - learners and parents will be guided by teachers to follow the lessons in a specific time schedule complementary with textbooks and other digital solution in a blended approach. In this case, the lessons will replace the knowledge and teacher explanation of a formal classroom interaction and will be supported by textbooks and digital support through the off-line platform.
Filming lessons according to subjects and grades will be divided into three different age groups as to ensure quality and quantity of video lesson production. Below is the chart showing the number of TV lessons required according to different grades and timeframes.
Timeframe for TV lesson production
The number of TV lessons to be produced for grades 1 to 4 and Early Childhood Education
Timeframe
30 March to 30 June 2021
30 June to 25 September 2021
25 September to 30 December 2021
Number of TV lessons to be produced
90
160
160
Use of the product/deliverable
It is expected that the final Road Map on Inclusive Education will be endorsed by the Task Force under the MoES and submitted for final comments to all relevant ministries and agencies. After final comments are incorporated, the document will be endorsed by the government.
KEY DELIVERABLES/TIMEFRAME/PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
#
Tasks/Milestone
Deliverables/Outputs
Number of days
Timeline
Payment schedule
1
Final draft of all components of activities and implementation plan of teacher capacity building of teachers
20 days
30 March 2021
50% of consultancy fee upon approval of all deliverable
2
Training package for methodologists and teachers should be submitted and reviewed by the MOES team
30 June 2021
3
Filming of 360 TV lessons is in process and goes to the MOES for revision
55 days
30 October 2021
4
Filming of the 360 TV lessons is over and evaluation of impact and learing is approaved by the MOES
15 days
30 December 2021
50% of consultancy fee upon approval of all deliverable
Note: Due to COIVD-19, the work and deliverables are subject to change. Consultant need to be flexible to adjust to any unforeseen adjustments that might occur during the implementation
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:
The evaluation of the results will be based on:
In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility, drive for results, and communication will be taken into account during the evaluation of the Consultant's work.
Estimated duration of contract and remuneration: The assignment will be carried out in 90 working days within the period of 9 months (25 March - 30 December 2021).
Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Supervision: Education Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan
Reporting to: Education Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan
Insurances: UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations. Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. The responsibility of UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation for service-incurred death, injury or illness as per the provisions detailed below.
Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.
Ethical considerations: Adequate measures should be taken to ensure that the process responds to quality and ethical requirements. The contracted consultant should be sensitive to beliefs, manners, and customs and act with integrity and honesty in their relationships with all stakeholders. It should also protect the anonymity and confidentiality of individual information.
Mandatory trainings: Consultants and individual contractors, regardless of contract duration, must complete the applicable mandatory trainings. The link will be provided during the selection process for the successful candidates.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Within this initiative UNICEF Country Office in Tajikistan is looking for a national consultant at the professional level who has extensive experience in blended learning and ICT.
1) Education - Advanced University Degree in Education, Social sciences or other related disciplines.
2) Work experience - At least 5 to 8 years of experience in developing child friendly educational content for TV lessons according to age specific requirements. It is kindly requested to identify the age groups that applicants want to work with.
3) Competencies - technical expertise in latest solutions for current ICT, mass media and distance learning challenges in developing countries: The applicants must have a proven track record of high-quality delivery of similar projects, indicating how ICT, mass media and distance learning challenges have been met in different circumstances internationally, and examples of innovative solutions to contribute to our project.
4) Language - Fluency in Tajik and Russian languages.
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:
Queries can be sent to [email protected] with the subject line "
National consultancy to provide technical assistance to Ministry of Education and Science in development of TV Programming for uninterrupted learning for primary level children, parents and communities". Applications
must be received in the system by
29 March 2021 on our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php .
Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the "best value for money" principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible cost.
Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.
EVALUATION PROCESS AND METHODS:
Individual consultants/contractors will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.
During the selection, the ratio between the technical evaluation and commercial offer is 70 to 30.
Only candidates who obtain a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Financial Proposal : Please provide an all-inclusive price for delivering professional services in accordance with the assignment described under this TOR.
The formula for the rating of the Financial Proposals will be as follows: FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. To view our competency framework, please visit here. Click here to learn more about UNICEF's values and competencies.
Advertised: Mar 15 2021 West Asia Standard Time Application close: Mar 29 2021 West Asia Standard Time
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This vacancy is archived.