Consultant on Inclusive Education

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

The purpose of this assignment is to support the development of national reports on the implementation of inclusive education in Serbia and further improvement/refinement of the related materials (analyses, studies, training programmes, etc.). In order to support the continuous process of evidence-based policy making, systematize the existing data and analyses, and to define next priorities in terms of the implementation of inclusive education, the consultant will be engaged to prepare two National Reports on Inclusive Education in Serbia: (1) Thematic National Report on Inclusive Education, and (2) National Report on Inclusive Education 2022-2023. The consultant will also review studies, reports, training programmes and materials produced within the scope of the project, with a purpose to ensure highest products’ quality. The work of the consultant will also entail production of the background report needed for PISA 2022 report for 5 countries/economies in the Western Balkans.

Duration of the assignment: February – May 2024 (part-time, remote)

Detailed task description:

Task 1: Conduct a desk review, collect data, and prepare one National Report on Inclusive Education (IE) for 2022-2023:

• Map and collect current and updated relevant studies, analyses and data related to IE in the country.
• Conduct a desk review of current relevant literature and reports and perform data analysis.
• Develop draft and final versions of the National Report on Inclusive Education 2022-2023 (the report should be written in Serbian language, and the foreseen length is maximum 60 pages, with an executive summary in English).

Deliverables:

1.1. Lists of relevant studies and data on IE.

1.2. Draft National Report on IE for 2022-2023 (in Serbian language)

1.3. Facilitate joint meetings/focus groups with key partners/stakeholders to present the draft reports, obtain feedback and, in line with the feedback, prepare the Final National report on IE for 2022-2023 (in Serbian language) with an executive summary (in Serbian and English language)

Timeline:

Deliverable 1.1: March 2024 – lists of studies and IE data

Deliverable 1.2: April 2024 – Draft National Report on IE for 2022-2023

Deliverable 1.3: May 2024 – final National Report on IE for 2022-2023 with an executive summary (in Serbian and English).

Task 2: Conduct a desk review, collect data and prepare Thematic National Report on IE of children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds:

• Map and collect current and updated relevant studies, analyses and data related to the thematic area.
• Conduct a desk review of current relevant literature and reports and perform data analysis.
• Develop draft version of the Thematic National Report on Inclusive Education (the report should be written in Serbian language, and the foreseen length is maximum 40 pages, with an executive summary in English)
• Facilitate joint meetings/focus groups with key partners/stakeholders to present the draft reports, obtain feedback and, in line with the feedback, prepare the Final Thematic National report on IE (in Serbian language) with an executive summary (in Serbian and English language).

Deliverables:

2.1. Report structure with list of relevant studies and data

2.2. Draft Thematic National Report on IE (in Serbian language)

2.3. Final Thematic National report on IE (in Serbian language) with an executive summary (in Serbian and English language).

Timeline:

Deliverable 2.1: February 2024 – report structure with list of studies and data

Deliverable 2.2: March 2024 – Draft Report on IE in the thematic area

Deliverable 2.3: April 2024 – final Thematic Report on IE with an executive summary (in Serbian and English language)

Task 3: Prepare and/or review ppts and the texts for key policy and communication materials, including the selection of the most relevant data for infographics used for the public communication and awareness-raising activities (including communication and materials based on the final versions of the Reports on Inclusive Education in Serbia), and inputs to the Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) materials.

Deliverables:

3.1. Prepared ppt, texts and data for the National Report on IE for 2022-2023 Fact Sheets, (8.000 characters per Fact Sheet maximum) in English and Serbian, and inputs for SBC materials in Serbian.

3.2. Prepared ppt, texts and data for the Thematic National Report on IE Fact Sheets (8.000 characters per Fact Sheet maximum) in English and Serbian, and inputs for SBC materials in Serbian.

3.3. Review of advocacy and communication material prepared for IE public communication and awareness raising activities

Timeline:

Deliverable 3.1: May 2024 – PPT, Fact Sheet on the National Report on IE for 2022-2023 in English and Serbian, and inputs to the SBC materials

Deliverable 3.2: April 2024 – PPT, Fact Sheet on the Thematic National Report on IE in English and Serbian, and inputs to the SBC materials.

Deliverable 3.3: April 2024 – Revised the materials

Task 4: Review and revise reports and documents prepared within the scope of the project “Enhanced Equal Access to and Completion of Pre-University Education for Children in Need of Additional Support in Education“.

Deliverables:

4.1: Revised capacity building program for education professionals on inclusive education and inclusive pedagogy

4.2: Revised capacity building program for resource centers (advanced training, and mentoring program) and intersectoral committees

4.3: Revised capacity building programs leading to increased capacities of national and local stakeholders for evidence-based decision making, and to development of local inclusive policies and the establishment of sustainability of local networks for inclusive education

4.4: Reviewed Feasibility Study on development of a sustainable model of Inclusive Education Financing

4.5. Reviewed Feasibility Study on the National Resource Center for AT and AT financing

Timeline:

Deliverable 4.1: by February 15, 2024

Deliverable 4.2: RC CB by February 2024 and CB for ISCs by April 2024

Deliverable 4.3: by March 15, 2024

Deliverable 4.4: by February 15, 2024

Deliverable 4.5: by April 30, 2024

Task 5: Collect data and prepare the country background material for Serbia for the purpose of preparation of PISA 2022 report for 5 countries/economies in the Western Balkans:

• Collect information and write the country background report, answering inquires provided by UNICEF team (including data and analysis of learning during school closures caused by COVID-19)
• Prepare presentation and present findings at consultative meetings

Deliverables:

5.1: Final report prepared (in English language), as per the inquires provided by the UNICEF team

5.2: PPT on the prepared background material

Timeline:

Deliverable 5.1. Final background report – March 2024

Deliverable 5.2. PPT on the prepared background material – March 2024

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Psychology, Pedagogy, Education or other fields of Social Studies and Humanities.
• Advanced degree would be an asset.
• At least 5 years of experience in education policy and practice in Serbia.
• Excellent knowledge of the legal framework in education, preferably in inclusive education.
• Experience in research, analysis and monitoring of education policies is required, preferably in IE.
• Experience in developing and implementing capacity building programmes.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking, ability to synthesise complex information.
• Statistical knowledge.
• A high degree of accuracy is important.
• Excellent knowledge of oral and written Serbian and English.
• Work experience with UNICEF and/or other international organizations would be considered as an advantage.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing a separate fee for each of the 16 deliverables mentioned above (from 1.1 to 5.2).

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark “n/a” or “00” under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.