International Consultant to Provide Technical Support in Revision of the Pre-Service Preschool Teachers’ Training Curricula with UNICEF in Uzbekistan

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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, education!

Early Childhood Development and Education is one of the priority areas of the UNICEF Uzbekistan Country Programme. UNICEF has been providing technical assistance to the Government of Uzbekistan in its efforts to improve access and quality of Early Childhood Education services.

Specifically, UNICEF supports the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan in improving the quality of preschool education at the national level through curriculum reform based on Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and competency based approach. This includes raising capacity of preschool teachers, enhancing methodological support through development of teaching and learning materials and resourses, techer guidebooks, and developing on-line resourses and materials.

In the framework of the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) funded project “Enhancing Access to Quality Early Childhood Education Project in the Republic of Uzbekistan,” UNICEF is implementing partner for the implementation of the component related to the reform of in-service and pre-service training for capacity building of teachers and managers. The sub-component 2.2 of the IsDB funded project has two priority areas of focus: (i) development / revision of in-service training for preschool teachers and managers, and (ii) reforming the pre-service training of preschool teachers with outlined series of activities to achieve the set goals and objectives.
Supporting the implementation of the project, the International Consultant is expected to support the revision of Pre-service teacher training curriculum and syllabi for preschool teachers and ensure development of required capacity of the faculty members (at the level of Pedagogical University and Pedagogical colleges) to revise / develop new curriculum/syllabi. The Consultant will provide technical support in the process of reforming pre-service training for preschool teachers and managers at all levels of teacher professional development system.

In 2022-2023 the pre-service education process and curriculum was reviewed by an International Consultant and a roadmap for revision of the curriculum was developed. Since then the Pedagogical University and Pedagogical college have introduced some changes and revised their curricula to some extent. Therefore the Consultant will initially update the curriculum review report taking into consideration the latest changes and the new roadmap and specific activities will be developed. Following the roadmap, the international expert will work with the national working groups to draft a National Teacher Training Curriculum Framework (NTTCF). Based on the TTNCF, the Consultant will lead the NWGs to develop a new curriculum and training materials for pre-service system.

Under the direct supervision of the ECD Officer and in close collaboration with the National Consultant the International Consultant will support the activities related to the reforming the teachers’ professional development system for preschool education as per the developed and agreed Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Component 2.2.

The Consultant will contribute to various project phases and ensure achievement of concrete and sustainable program/project results according to plans, budget allocation, result based-management approaches, methodology. Quality review of deliverables will be based on UNICEF’s strategic plan, standards of performance and accountability framework.

This is the first phase of the consultancy with approximately three visits to Uzbekistan in 2024 to be followed by other phases of project implementation as per the PAD.

Work assignments overview / Timeline

1. Update the Curriculum review report based on the recent changes in the curricula of Pedagogical University and colleges – 10 days

1. In collaboration with the National Consultant conduct desk review of the changes made by the Pedagogical University and College after the previous report recommendations.
2. Based on desk review update the curriculum review report and set of key recommendations for the main stakeholders on the curricula/syllabi revision and/ or development of new (i.e. on Action Research)
3. Conduct technical meeting for the management/faculty members of the Pedagogical University and Pedagogical College and the management of the Preschool education system to brief them on the updated report (first travel)
4. Agree with main stakeholders and development partners on the next steps for the implementation of the roadmap with clear milestones for the revision of the curriculum and syllabi

Deliverables 

• Updated curriculum review report and recommendations/ roadmap
• Agenda for the meeting
• Developed and agreed roadmap with clear milestones

2. Build capacity of the faculty members and 2 National Working Groups (NWG) on the curriculum development – 5 day

a. Following the roadmap together with the NWG draft the National Teacher Training Curriculum Framework (NTTCF)

b. Based on the review report, addressing gaps and concerns, and NTTCF prepare a training programme/package for at least 10 faculty members and 2 NWGs from Pedagogical University and Pedagogical College on the curriculum and syllabi development, training methods and assessment

c. Conduct a 4- days practical workshop to build capacity of the faculty members and 2 NWGs members from Pedagogical University and Pedagogical College in curricula/syllabi development, training methods and assessment (first travel)

d. Conduct consultations with other stakeholders and Development Partners

Deliverables 

• Draft NTTCF
• Training agenda and programme/package developed
• Capacity building for Faculty members at Pedagogical University and College conducted;
• NWGs members improved their capacity

3. Provide technical expertise to two NWGs in revision of the pre-service curricula and syllabi and creation of new curricula – 50 days

a. Develop TOR for the National Working Groups (NWG) to establish two NWGs to revise the curricula/syllabi for pre-service preschool teacher training systems (one for Universities and one for Colleges)

b. In collaboration with the National Coordinator lead the work of the NWGs starting from a 4-days training and throughout the whole period of the task on bi-weekly basis as follows: (i)provide NWG members clear tasks with detailed instructions, during the process provide coaching and guidance; (ii) after receiving the revised materials review their work and provide more comments if needed; (iii) after the revision finalize the draft curricula/syllabi (the key directions should include but not be limited to the following areas: child development, child psychology, learning through play, internship and practice, etc.)(first travel)

c. Based on the recommendations of the curricula review report, in collaboration with the National Consultant, lead the NWGs to develop the new syllabi, i.e. on research methods and Action Research, master thesis writing, education policy, and others as per the agreed roadmap and above mentioned process (second travel)

d. Prepare final report with revised curricula and syllabi and further set of recommendations. Prepare PPP and share results of the work with all stakeholders and Development partners (third travel).

Deliverables 

• TORs for 2 NWGs developed and 2 NWGs established
• Recommendations for new syllabi provided
• Written guidance and recommendations on the selected curriculum revision provided to NWGs during the initial workshop and online on bi-weekly basis
• Revised curricula and syllabi provided (not less than 10 syllabi for each NWG)
• Final report and PPP

4. Support strengthening preschool education basic reading database at the Pedagogical University and Pedagogical college – 5 days

Prepare and provide to Pedagogical University and Pedagogical Colleges a list with references of the key/required materials on preschool education/pedagogy for further translation into Uzbek language to be worked out by the Pedagogical University and Pedagogical Colleges

Deliverables 

• List of key reading materials provided

5. Reporting and Monitoring

a.  Provide brief periodic reports on conducted activities highlighting results and challenges (3 reports)
b.  Prepare the process final documenting report

Deliverables: 

• Three periodic reports
• Process documenting report

Total: 77 days

Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: education, or any other social sciences.
• More than 10 years of professional and relevant experience in education, preferably in ECD/E in curriculum development, teacher training/capacity development.
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English and Russian.

Travel International (to Uzbekistan) at least 2 times: Conduct briefing workshop and capacity development sessions for the faculty members and NWG members.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.