Back International expert_Feasibility Study on establishment of UNESCO Category 2 Centre in Uzbekistan

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : EDUCATION

Duty Station: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Classification of duty station:

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Consultancy

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 13/01/2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Tashkent office is seeking a contractor to conduct a feasibility study on the proposal to designate the Institute for Retraining and Professional Development of Directors and Specialists of Preschool Educational Organizations as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre on Early Childhood Care and Education in Uzbekistan. The assignment is foreseen to take place between 1st of February and 31st of March 2025 (for a total of 20-25 working days)

1. Background

   The Government of Uzbekistan has proposed the establishment of a UNESCO Category 2 Centre on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The proposed centre, based on the Institute for Retraining and Professional Development of Directors and Specialists of Preschool Educational Organizations under the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 5 (gender equality), and UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget (C/5).

   This proposed centre seeks to strengthen the education sector in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asia region through innovative approaches in ECCE, including professional development, research, policy advocacy, and international cooperation. The centre will serve as a hub for advancing educational equity and inclusion, improving teacher training, and enhancing the quality of early childhood education across low- and middle-income countries in the region.

   The UNESCO Intersectoral Review Committee has recommended conducting a feasibility study to evaluate whether the proposal fits with the principles and criteria outlined in the 2019 Strategy for Category 2 Institutes and Centres under the auspices of UNESCO ( Part E.1). This study will inform the preparation of a draft agreement for submission to UNESCO’s Executive Board and General Conference.

   Long Description

   II. Purpose and Scope of the Feasibility Study

   An independent consultant will be contracted to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of designating the proposed Early Childhood Care and Education Institution in Uzbekistan as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO.

   The feasibility study will be managed and coordinated by the UNESCO Tashkent Office, working closely with relevant sectors and divisions at UNESCO Headquarters. The process will also involve consultations with stakeholders from Uzbekistan and other relevant partners.

   The study will specifically examine:

   • The relevance and alignment of the institution’s programmes and activities with a UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget ( 42C/5) and priorities. The study will also review the institution’s alignment with UNESCO’s ECCE strategies and its contribution to the global development agendas *(SDG4, SDG 4.2 and SDG5)
   • The scope of activities of the centre, its ability and capacity to meet its objectives and its actions at global and regional levels, including the provision of professional training for ECCE educators, development of innovative pedagogical resources, and facilitation of regional and international cooperation. The study should also examine whether the institution has a proven track of excellence of at least two years in ECCE.
   • The autonomy for the execution of its activities and legal capacity to contract, institute legal proceedings and to acquire and dispose movable and immovable property.
   • The institution’s organizational structure, the composition of its Governing Board or comparable body, its existing human resources and whether these allow for an effective and efficient management of the institution.
   • The type and nature of cooperation of the institution with regional and international partners, especially , educational organizations working in the domain of ECCE and related fields.
     • The financial sustainability of the institution, assessing its alignment with the provisions set out in the 2019 UNESCO Strategy for category 2 institutes and centers, including the adequacy of proposed funding sources.
     • The capacity of the centre to complement UNESCO’s ongoing work in ECCE and other cross-sectoral initiatives, particularly in fostering lifelong learning systems, addressing equity gaps in education, and integrating interdisciplinary approaches to enhance educational outcomes.
     • The effectiveness of the centre to contribute to UNESCO’s mission (examples of activities may include
       • Publication of training manuals, policy guidelines, and research reports on ECCE.
       • Organization and participation in international and regional events on early childhood education.
       • Establishment of partnerships with national and international educational institutions, academic organizations, and ECCE networks.
       • Promotion of South-South and North-South cooperation and knowledge sharing
       • The complementarity or redundancy of the proposed centre with other UNESCO Category 2 Centres, Institutes, and networks, as well as similar institutions created and operated by other United Nations system organizations, particularly in the field of ECCE.

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         III. Methodology and Data Collection Methods

         The feasibility study will use a mixed-methods approach to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The methodology will include:

         1. Document Review:
            1. Analysis of Uzbekistan’s proposal and documentation relevant to the instition’s activities, including its programme, budget, organigramme etc. institutional frameworks, and relevant policy documents, including UNESCO’s Programme and Budget ( 42 C/5), relevant strategies on ECCE and the UNESCO 2019 Strategy for Category 2 Institutes and Centres.Review of national education policies, ECCE strategies, and international best practices.
            2. Stakeholder Consultations:
               1. Interviews with representatives of the Institute for Retraining and Professional Development of Directors and Specialists of Preschool Educational Organizations, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, UNESCO Headquarters, and regional offices.
               2. Virtual or in-person consultations with ECCE experts, partner organizations of the institution, and other stakeholders.
               3. On-Site Assessment (if feasible):
                  1. Field visit to the proposed institution to assess infrastructure, staffing, and operational readiness.
                  2. Comparative Analysis:
                     1. Benchmarking against similar Category 2 Centres to assess the unique value and relevance of the proposed centre.
                     2. Synthesis and Validation:
                        1. Consolidation of findings into a draft report and validation through feedback from stakeholders.

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                           IV. Tasks and Deliverables