National Consultant to Provide Technical Support for Technology-Supported Teacher Training Programs (Kabul with Several Visits to the Zonal Offices and Provinces)

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
This consultancy aims to support UNICEF’s initiative to support the development of an innovative, flexible, and digitally driven blended learning experiences for teachers in Afghanistan. The consultant will provide technical support and coordination for the team developing relevant modules for use on a digital learning platform that integrates technology-enabled courses to enrich teacher training programs.

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, Education 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference? 

Background:

The quality of teaching and learning in Afghanistan is in crisis. Widespread challenges exist, hindering the delivery of quality teaching and learning experiences for students. Teachers, particularly female teachers, face cultural barriers and limited access to professional development opportunities. These factors contribute to a cycle of low student engagement and poor learning outcomes, ultimately impacting the country’s future.

In response to this critical challenge, UNICEF has launched a comprehensive in-service teacher training program in Afghanistan. This program is designed to be a powerful catalyst for positive change. By equipping teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge, UNICEF aims to empower them to become effective facilitators of learning. The training program prioritizes cost-effectiveness, innovation, and the incorporation of accessible technology. This ensures its relevance, and effectiveness, and enhances the learning experience for all teachers, particularly by addressing mobility constraints for female teachers in remote areas.

To further strengthen this vital program and ensure it reaches its full potential, UNICEF seeks to engage a highly qualified consultant to provide technical and coordination support. The consultant will closely work with the UNICEF team, technical support organizations and other consultants to facilitate uninterrupted and more enriched learning for trainees, reduce mobility constraints, and enhance the overall quality and delivery of the program.

Scope of work:

Under the leadership of the Education Section Chief and the supervision of the Education Specialist (Quality), the national consultant will closely collaborate with the technical teams of the Teacher Education and Professional Development Directorate (TE-PDD) of MoE to offer specialised technical support and guidance for the successful integration of digital technology in the teacher training program. The consultant will support UNICEF quality education team in creating digital learning approaches for teacher training courses. The consultant will be responsible for the comprehensive maintenance and administration of UNICEF Afghanistan’s new online learning platform for the teacher training programme, ensuring its smoot and efficient operation for the program participants.

The consultant will collaborate closely with the international consultant and the programme team during the initial development and implementation phase and subsequently with the TE-PDD to manage all technical aspects, provide user support, and enhance the functionality of the modules produced for use on the platform. This role is crucial in sustaining the performance of the modules inlcuding security, and content management to facilitate effective digital learning experiences for long-term training participants. The consultant will use and analyze learner data on the Digital Learning Platform, ensuring its security and use by project owners for data-driven decisions, while adhering to UNICEF data requirements.

The consultant will lead on the following tasks:

Task 1:  Development of the Digital Learning:

The consultant will assist the international consultant in establishing the modules by providing expertise in the following areas:

• Advice on operational and cultural aspects relevant to the local context.
• Offer assistance in collecting relevant documents, translating materials, and identifying additional information sources.

Task 2:  Module Maintenance and Administration:

• Extend support in structuring the online instructional program and engaging activities, ensuring alignment with student needs, curriculum requirements, and cultural sensitivity. 
• Conduct routine maintenance tasks and monitor mdule/platform performance.

Task 3:  User Support and Training:

• Provide technical support to platform users as and when necessary.
• Keep user manuals up to date with the support of the central team if necessary.

Task 4:  Data Analysis:

• Generate system reports on learner progress, module/platform usage and performance metrics.
• Ensure maintenance and management of learner data within the LMS ensuring data integrity and privacy following GDPR and UNICEF data requirements.

Task 5:  Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with the TEPDD technical team and improve their capacity.
• Work closely with the consultant on the project and the ACO team.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for any technical issues, updates and improvements needed on the platform.

Task 6: Leverage Digital Technologies for Enriched Teacher Training:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of successful implementations of digital technology in teacher training programs across diverse and relevant geographical and educational contexts.
• Identify feasible and innovative ways to integrate these technologies into national teacher training courses, considering factors like accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and impact on learning outcomes.
• Gain a deep understanding of the digital learning platform’s functionalities and potential applications for teacher development and support interventions.
• Develop strategies to maximize the digital learning platform’s effectiveness in providing ongoing professional development opportunities and targeted support for teachers across the country.

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

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Technology, Education Technology or its equivalent. 
• Minimum 2 years of experience in IT Systems Administration. 
• Proven experience in providing technical support and teacher training.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues efficiently.
• A background of teacher training is an asset.
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English and Farsi/Dari or Pashto are required.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Applications must include:

• Cover letter.
• Resume.
• Samples of previous work.
• Financial offer in USD. (This should only be the day rate for working days. 
• Applications submitted without financial and technical proposals will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced to the next stage of the selection process

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:  

Interested consultants are required to apply online, indicating availability and all-inclusive lump sum fee to undertake the terms of reference.

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.