Coding and Robotics Specialist

UNICEF is committed to realising the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential.

We believe that ensuring a child is happy and healthy begins before birth: from ensuring their mother has access to good health care to reaching adulthood as a healthy, empowered and informed young person of the next generation. This journey relies on every child having access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, and growing up in a safe environment free from violence.

Since 1994, UNICEF has worked tirelessly to ensure that the nation’s youngest citizens can thrive in a caring, supportive, and nurturing society. In accordance with its official mandate, it has advocated to guarantee that the rights of South Africa’s children are protected, that their basic needs are met, and that they have every opportunity to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behavior towards children. The long-term vision for change in enabling environment and social inclusion is that by 2025, girls and boys in South Africa, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from multisectoral quality services by the State and civil society and adopt essential positive behaviors for realizing their potential in school, work and life, ultimately leading to a reduction in major deprivations of children in an equitable manner. The world as we know it continues to rapidly change because of technology, and the careers of the future (across disciplines) are leaning towards computer-based skills. The South African Basic Education system has consistently exhibited a need for improvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Despite many ongoing efforts the performance of learners in these subjects remain below expectation. Recent statistics including the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) indicate that South Africa (SA) ranks near bottom in global STEM education assessments. Based on TIMSS 2019 for Grade 9, only 41 percent of mathematics learners and 36 percent of science learners had acquired the basic subject knowledge and skills. President Ramaphosa announced the development of the Coding and Robotics Curriculum in the 2019 State of the Nation Address and declared the Coding and Robotics curriculum as a standalone subject from grade R-9. The draft coding and robotics curriculum has recently been approved by UMALUSI (Quality Council for General and Further Education and Training), and a draft curriculum will be promulgated by the Minister of Basic Education once final approval has been granted by Cabinet. However, some analysis of the data in the education sector highlight challenges that have the potential to hinder progress in the introduction and roll out of coding and robotics in schools. Some of these challenges include lack of standardized, quality, online educational content; low child literacy rate; the high cost of data; limited connectivity in rural areas; no support structures for educators to develop their skills further; limited teacher training and development; and lack of investment into emerging technology. In response to this, UNICEF is supporting the Department of Basic Education through the TechnoKidz Programme which include STEM Awareness and Engagement with learners. This programme aims to:
• Address digital connectivity, legislation, and framework gaps: Bridging education gaps, such as connectivity and infrastructure in South African schools.
• Introduce 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution) skills: Provide lessons and resources to bring Coding and Robotics into South African education.
• Train and equip teachers: Provide quality training for all teachers to upskill them and create a South Africa-wide teacher community of practice.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Youth and Adolescent Development Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), and in close collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (Chief Education Specialist: Curriculum Innovation and e-Learning) the Coding and Robotics Specialist will support the implementation of the Coding and Robotics curriculum in schools:
• Work collaboratively with National, Provincial and District officials including school management teams in implementing of the pilot programme in Coding and Robotics;
• Initiate and develop partnerships with provincial and district government officials, key stakeholders & Implementing Partners (IPs);
• In close collaboration and in partnership with UNICEF and DBE as well as UNICEF’s IPs conduct an IT (Information Technology) Audit for potential schools and identify safe and secure schools that would serve as additional hub in nine (9) provinces;
• Working with UNICEF’s Implementing Partners ensure the establishment and set up of 12 educational robotic hubs in all 9 provinces;
• Ensure mapping and coordination of both UNICEF’ supported hubs as well as other existing hubs by key stakeholders;
• Work in close collaboration with DBE and UNICEF’s Implementing Partners to effective distribution of the equipment into twelve (12) hubs in all nine provinces;
• Prepare and present a hand over report of equipment to 12 hubs/schools and train them on a five-year maintenance and security plan;
• Working with UNICEF’s Implementing Partners to ensure delivery of high-quality minor refurbishment to all hubs. This training includes theoretical and practical lessons on LEGO Spike Prime, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi as well as other relevant platforms;
• In support of the UNICEF’s Implementing Partners plan, coordinate, and deliver high-quality teacher training on various coding and robotics platforms to 1,000 pilot schools;
• Review and revise coding and robotics lessons plans developed by Implementing Partners;
• Support the Implementing Partners to organise and facilitate Virtual GEAR and First LEGO League competitions;
• Prepare and submit progress report based on regular monitoring site visits of districts and schools implementing the new curriculum. During these site visits collect accurate monitoring, evaluation and research data on implementation and programme outcomes;
• Coordinate monthly provincial meetings with relevant government officials and key stakeholder implementing the coding and robotics programme in schools and maintain stakeholder relationships via regular communication;
• Prepare, edit and analyze provincial reports and make recommendations for further improvement;
• Lead the process of producing and submitting annual, quarterly, and monthly on the implementation of the coding and robotics programme;
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.