National consultant to support education policy development and advocacy (Kazakhstan)

Job no: 561592

Position type: Consultant

Location: Kazakhstan Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS

School/Unit: Kazakstan

Department/Office: Astana, Kazakhstan

Categories: Education

Type of contract: Consultant Duration: 104 working days starting from 15 May 2023 to 30 December 2023 Workplace: home-based

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, a fair chance

Scope of Work

UNICEF Kazakhstan is looking for a consultant to support education policy development and advocacy through the drafting of policy briefs, investment cases and other relevant advocacy documents/knowledge products.

Major areas of the consultancy: The consultant is expected to successfully perform the following tasks: 1) Review strategic documents in the Education sector and provide contributions and recommendations for further improvement ; 2) Contribute to the preparation of investment cases stemming out of UNICEF’s ongoing education initiatives in Kazakhstan for scale-up and sustainability; 3) Support dissemination and implementation of recommendations from education-related research and studies; 4) Build common vision for new digital transformation initiatives in education related to: rural schools, blended learning, teacher communities of practices, and financial literacy.

Deliverables 1. Provide contributions and recommendations to strategic documents in the Education sector, with focus on equity, quality, inclusion, and gender equality transformation (May-December 2023): 1.1. Review and comment the following 3 (three) education strategic documents: a) the Education Development Concept 2023-2029; b) the methodological recommendations by the National Education Academy on remedial programmes for low-performing students; c) teacher’s competencies guidelines with the focus on mentorship and digital/blended learning skills.

2. Contribute to the preparation of investment cases stemming out of UNICEF’s ongoing education initiatives in Kazakhstan for scale-up and sustainability (May-October 2023): 2.1. Draft two policy briefs on the Akelius language initiative (i.e. class management, blended learning, and tablet management) and Whole school approach (WSA) 2.2. Draft two investment cases on: a) remedial support programmes to address the learning needs of low-performing students, particularly in remote schools, and using strategies like peer support and teacher mentorship (implementing partners include Almaty Management University, IQanat, National Volunteer Network) b) storytelling between generations to integrate children returned from armed conflicts and promote social cohesion (implemented with Child rights protection committee) 2.3. Consult with key national-level stakeholders during the preparation of investment cases and policy brief, finalise and support advocacy work with the national counterparts using the investment cases and the policy brief

3. Support dissemination and implementation of recommendations from education-related research and studies (May-September 2023): 3.1. Jointly with UNICEF’s education team and based on the information from available evaluation, documenting and monitoring reports, design a response plan, contribute to lay out of infographics, and a dissemination plan for findings and recommendations for each of the following studies: i. remedial programmes needs assessment and monitoring reports (conducted by AlmaU, IQanat, and National Volunteer Network); ii. the 2022 learning loss study (conducted with Information Analytical Center & Cambridge education faculty); iii. evaluation with the focus on inclusion in education (Bulgaria Junction, OPM) iv. legislative review on the rights of children returned from conflict zones (Rights On) 3.2. Discuss and validate the response plans with key national-level stakeholders for further take-up and inclusion in national strategies; this may involve travel to the venue and travel costs should be budgeted separately.

4. Build common vision for new digital transformation initiatives in education related to: rural schools, blended learning, teacher communities of practice, and financial literacy (October – December 2023): 4.1. Develop 4 (four) short visionary concept notes on the transformation of rural education, blended learning, teacher communities of practices, and how to improve children’s financial literacy 4.2. Coordinate with education stakeholders at the national and local levels on the feasibility and further implementation of these transformation visions. All the deliverables will be implemented under the supervision of UNICEF Kazakhstan Education Specialist, in close collaboration with UNICEF Deputy Representative, other relevant program staff (Child protection, health, climate change). The consultant will work in close consultation with national counterparts of the Education sector.

Work Assignment Overview Edu.docx

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

•  An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in education, public policy, law, social sciences, development sciences, or related field

Work experience:

•  At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in education policy-making at the national level.
•  Proven experience in policy analysis and policy-making in education, including analytics, research, development, coordination and advocacy with the public sector.
•  Strong writing, communication, and analytical skills and the aptitude to handle competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences.
•  Experience engaging with senior government officials, NGOs, and various development partners at the national and international levels.

Skills and competencies:

•  Strong familiarity with the cultural and political context of the region, including education reforms, policy and digitalization
•  Proven capacity to work with collaborative teams across different locations and with different technical skills.
•  Fluency in English and Russian is required. Knowledge of the Kazakh language is a strong asset.
•  Previous experience with UNICEF or the UN is an advantage.
•  Technical competencies: – Conceptualizing and development of investment cases and policy briefs; – Supporting the regular knowledge exchange, advocacy and consultations with partners and finalizing the documents after their feedback – Reviewing strategic documents, policies and providing analytical comments from equity, inclusion and quality perspectives – Support in collecting, analyzing data on education policies, response plans and building common vision in advancing transformation in education

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability ( https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture)

Evaluation Criteria A) Technical Evaluation

•  Consultant’s profile (qualifications, relevance of experience and skills)
•  Expertise in the education system: The candidate should have experience in education and/or education policy-making, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the education system and national and international trends in education.
•  Experience in developing policy documents, strategies, plans: The candidate should have experience in participating in the development/implementation of data or education plans and strategies based on evaluation/self-assessment results and other data sources. He/she should have the skills to prioritise, set goals and participate in developing strategies/plans/policies.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills to consult with relevant stakeholders and organise various consultative events.

B) Financial Proposal

•  Candidates must submit a financial proposal for the whole assignment based on these Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should clearly state the cost of the services for each Deliverables/Outputs.
•  The financial proposal that provides the best value for money, meaning the lowest financial proposal, will receive the highest score during assessment. This is the main principle because saved funds will be directed towards other activities to aid children in Kazakhstan. Only financial proposals that fully cover all deliverables outlined in the terms of reference will be considered.

Application requirements The consultancy is open to individual national applicants (nationals of Kazakhstan). Applicants are required to provide: – Detailed CV – Cover letter, highlighting relevant experience (maximum 500 words) – Financial proposal either as i) daily fee as well as the total fee for the whole assignment OR budget by deliverables. The financial proposal should also explicitly indicate travel costs. Travel costs will be pre-approved by UNICEF as per the UNICEF rules and regulations for travel for consultants i.e., irrespective of the distance and duration of the flight, most direct and economy flight ticket shall apply.

Remarks:

•  Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract.
•  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
•  All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
•  The Individual contractor or Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures.
•  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.
•  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
•  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.
•  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.

Advertised: May 02 2023 Central Asia Standard Time Application close: May 14 2023 Central Asia Standard Time