National consultant for developing a learning assessment framework in inclusive education, 7 months, Kyiv, Ukraine (Remote/ Work from home)

The consultancy aims to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) in developing an assessment framework for children with disabilities within inclusive education settings. This includes evaluating and recognizing their learning outcomes in adapted and modified educational programmes. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive analysis of current assessment methods, design the assessment framework, and facilitate consultations with key stakeholders, incorporating international best practices. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNICEF Ukraine, Education Section, and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES), Coordination Centre for the Development of Family Upbringing and Childcare, and relevant stakeholdersю

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

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, hope

UNICEF Ukraine

 

How can you make a difference? 

Background:

In Ukraine, the commitment to inclusive education aims to ensure equal opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities. The government has finalized the National Strategy on Inclusive Education 2030, which outlines a plan to improve inclusivity across educational sectors. UNICEF is committed to supporting the Ukrainian Government to advance inclusivity within the education sector.  However, there are challenges including limited access to quality education, insufficient resources, inadequate training for educators and Inclusive Resource Centre (IRC) specialists, and deep-seated societal biases. Such barriers not only hinder educational participation but also impact employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Purpose of assignment:

The consultancy aims to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) in developing an assessment framework for children with disabilities within inclusive education settings. This includes evaluating and recognizing their learning outcomes in adapted and modified educational programmes. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive analysis of current assessment methods, design the assessment framework, and facilitate consultations with key stakeholders, incorporating international best practices. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNICEF Ukraine, Education Section, and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES), Coordination Centre for the Development of Family Upbringing and Childcare, and relevant stakeholders.

Specifically, the consultant will have to complete the following scope of work: 

 

Analysis and research:

• Evaluate accessibility for children with disabilities to inclusive education, identifying key barriers to enrollment and recognition of prior learning.
• Review existing assessment frameworks to understand how children with disabilities’ learning achievements are currently measured and recognized.
• Examine professional development programmes for educators to pinpoint current assessment methodologies taught and develop improvements.
• Analyze Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) data on the educational achievements and transitions of children with disabilities to other educational levels.
• Assess current monitoring mechanisms for learning outcomes of children with disabilities in inclusive education and propose tools for tracking progress within inclusive settings.

Framework development:

• Create a detailed assessment framework that evaluates the learning outcomes of children with disabilities.
• Organize a validation workshop with stakeholders to refine the framework.
• Develop a comprehensive final report and present the findings and proposed assessment framework to the MoES and other stakeholders for approval.

The tasks included in this ToR are as follows:

• Conduct desk reviews, interviews, and focus groups to gather insights on existing assessment approaches and identify international trends.
• Review and analyze Ukraine’s national policies, strategies, and standards related to learning assessments.
• Draft an assessment framework that integrates findings and stakeholder input.
• Facilitate a workshop to validate the proposed framework.
• Revise and finalize the assessment framework based on stakeholder feedback.
• Present the final assessment framework and implementation roadmap to the MoES and relevant stakeholders.

This consultancy will ensure the development of a robust framework that supports the equitable recognition of educational achievements for children with disabilities in order to foster their academic and social inclusion.

Work assignment overview:

Deliverable

Deadline

# of w/days

Report with the results of the conducted desk reviews, interviews, and focus groups on existing assessment approaches for children with disabilities in inclusive education.

31.07.2024

28

Report on the results of the analysis of Ukraine’s national policies, strategies, and standards related to learning assessments as well as international practices in assessing learning outcomes of children with disabilities.

30.08.2024

15

Draft of the assessment framework and implementation roadmap that integrate findings and stakeholder input.

30.09.2024

30

Preparation and facilitation of a workshop to validate the proposed framework.

30.10.2024

5

Finalization of the assessment framework and implementation roadmap based on stakeholder feedback.

30.11.2024

17

Preparing and conducting a meeting to present the final assessment framework and implementation roadmap to the MoES and relevant stakeholders.

31.12.2024

5

Sub-total:

100

 

Travel plan:

Destination

Period
[month, year]

Days

 Trip to Dnipro

 TBD

 4

 Trip to Lviv

 TBD

 4

 Trip to Odesa

 TBD

 4

 Trip to Poltava

 TBD

 4

Total:

16

Please provide an all-inclusive financial proposal including travels to carry out the deliverables listed above.

 

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

Education: Master’s degree or higher in one of the following fields is required: education, inclusion, psychology, sociology, or another relevant field is required.

Professional experience:

• At least 5 years of working experience in inclusive education.
• Work experience in policy development, programming and planning.
• Knowledge and understanding of the inclusive education system in Ukraine in regard to optimization of the services provided to children with disabilities.
• Experience in working with governmental institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

Languages: 

• English: Intermediate [B1];
• Ukrainian: Proficient/Native [C2] .

Skills and competencies:

• Policy development: Ability to develop and refine policies that align with national legislative frameworks and and comply with regulations. Candidates should demonstrate experience in identifying policy needs, formulating strategies, and implementing policy measures effectively.
• Data collection and analysis: Proficiency in collecting and analyzing data to support decision-making. The consultant should be capable of using various data collection methods and analytical tools to derive meaningful insights from quantitative and qualitative data.
• Report writing: Strong report writing skills are essential, with the ability to clearly and accurately document findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Candidates must be adept at preparing comprehensive reports that communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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.