International consultancy supporting national curriculum strategy (‘Concept’) with a focus on cross-cutting skills and competencies in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The International Consultant is expected to provide technical support to national partners including through development of overall methodology and provision of technical expertise in the formulation of the national strategy (‘Concept’) to ensure the integrity and continuity of educational programs in the systems of preschool, general secondary, and secondary specialist, with a focus on cross-cutting skills and competencies, and inter/intra subject connectivity.

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For every child, education!

Over the past few years the Government of Uzbekistan has been implementing rapid and innovative reforms, which resulted in the introduction of new policies and decrees for implementing inclusive and quality education, along with the development of the national Uzbekistan Partnership Compact for Education Reform 2023-2026

Ongoing reforms include the review and development of new standards for Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS), Preschool Curriculum, the updating of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), and the development of a new National Learning Assessment framework and Quality Assurance systems.

To this end, UNICEF has recently provided technical support to the Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CED) in the development of the Requirements of Education Standards which provided statutory stipulations on the development of such Standards, including clarification on roles and responsibilities among national agencies and supportive institutions. The requirements were reviewed and endorsed within the framework of the Local Education Group (LEG) and approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 157 dated March 27, 2024 “On measures to improve the development and implementation of state educational standards and state educational requirements”. The Resolution has also established an action plan, mandating the CED to collaborate with the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education towards the development of an overarching Strategy (Concept) to ensure the integrity and continuity of educational programs in the systems of preschool, general secondary, and vocational education.

It is anticipated that this new Strategy will ensure (i) Integration of a unified vision of Competency-Based Education (CBE) and inclusive and gender-transformative education, ensuring phase transition from early childhood settings to school, and secondary specialist education; (ii) Alignment of national curricula and Teaching and Learning Material (TLMs) to CBE, Universal Design of Learning (UDL) and gender transformative approaches with the strong support for socio-emotional learning, formation of life skills, along with introduction of new climate resilience and green competencies; (iii) Establishment of a mechanism of evaluation of curriculum effectiveness. It is expected that a particular focus on cross-cutting skills and competencies, and inter/intra subject connectivity will be ensured, adding breadth and depth in areas left unaddressed by preschool and subject specialists in finalizing a competency-based curriculum.

The process of Concept development will further provide the basis for further curriculum review and capacity development of curriculum and TLMs developers, and educators, expected within the framework a Joint IsDB/GPE Smart-ED Project for Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Education Services in the Republic of Uzbekistan to be launched by 1st of April 2025. Within this project, a detailed action plan supporting national curriculum reform was first developed and approved by the GPE Board in August 2023, with implementation to be supported by UNICEF in partnership with Ministry of Pre-school and School Education. The overall approach and expected curriculum interventions falling under the Smart-ED project will require additional validation following the latest changes introduced by the Concept, to reflect updated situation and country context.

The Strategy will provide a structure and timeline as to how, in time, Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS), School Standards and Programmes will be combined into two unified documents, for Pre-Primary and School-Level respectively, constituting a ‘Curriculum’ document at each level – including reference to relevant content on assessment, aligned with Learning Assessment Systems guidance.

Scope of Work

Purpose:
The International Consultant is expected to provide technical support to national partners including through development of overall methodology and provision of technical expertise in the formulation of the national strategy (‘Concept’) to ensure the integrity and continuity of educational programs in the systems of preschool, general secondary, and secondary specialist, with a focus on cross-cutting skills and competencies, and inter/intra subject connectivity.

Cross-cutting skills and competencies will include 21st century skills with a focus on gender responsive curriculum, socio-emotional learning, formation of life skills, along with introduction of new climate resilience and green competencies.

Description of the Assignment and Tasks:
The assignment is expected to start by end of November 2024 and end of May 2025.

The Consultant is expected to:
1. Support collaborative finalization of an overarching overview of the ‘Concept’ in collaboration with The Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Education, Ministry of Preschool and School Education and other Government Stakeholders;
2. Support The Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Education in developing guidance, and a template, on the process of mapping cross-cutting skills, and inter/intra subject linkages, within distinct subject areas;
3. Support The Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Education in developing guidance for the mapping of ‘values’ for effective engagement as citizens and members of societies;
4. Supporting The Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Education in developing guidance on the development and finalization of the process for developing the Concept, including a detailed Road-Map; and
5. In line with adopted Concept, provide technical support and leadership in the area of curriculum reform to national partners (The Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for the Development of Education, Ministry of Preschool and School Education and other Government Stakeholders), in updating expected plan of action of the joint IsDB/GPE Smart-ED Project for Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Education Services in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Management
International Consultant will work under direct supervision of Education Specialist and in consultation with national partners and government officials.

Tasks - Deliverables - Estimated timeframe

1. Collaborative finalization of an overarching overview of the ‘Concept’.- Overarching Overview of the ‘Concept’ - December 2024,
10 w.d.
2. Developing guidance, and a template, on the process of mapping cross-cutting skills, and inter/intra subject linkages, within distinct subject/development areas - Guidance and Template on mapping cross-cutting skills, and inter/intra subject linkages, within distinct subject areas, including focus on socio-emotional learning, formation of life skills, along with introduction of new climate resilience and green competencies - December, 2024, 10 w.d.
3. Developing guidance for the mapping of ‘values’ for effective engagement as citizens and members of societies - Guidance and Template on mapping ‘values’ for effective engagement as citizens and members of societies - December-January, 2025, 10 w.d

First visit to Tashkent
4. Conducting training for working groups established by CED - Training evaluation December, 2024, 5 w.d. 

Home-based
5. Providing technical support and guidance for the working groups on the development and finalization of the Concept, including a detailed Road-Map - Finalized Concept document January – April 2025, 22 w.d.

Second visit to Tashkent
6. Developing a review document and respective ppt presentation for the finalized Concept and presenting it at the LEG meeting - Review document and ppt presentation - April 15, 2025, 3 w.d. 

7. Providing technical leadership and support in the validation of planned curriculum interventions falling under GPE/IsDB Multiplier Programme - Validated action plan for curriculum reform in line with approved Project Appraisal Document of the IsDB/GPE Smart-ED Project for Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Education Services in the Republic of Uzbekistan - April 30, 2025, 10 w.d.

TOTAL 70 wd 

Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. 

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 70 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.

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… 

• An advanced university degree in education, psychology or related field.
• Understanding of, and experience in curriculum development and competency-based education, including at international level, as well as in-depth knowledge and expertise in the field of assessment practices, and of drafting case-studies on exemplars of good practice.
• Experience in organizing and conducting trainings and workshops.
• Good knowledge of international students assessment programmes, such as PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS, as well as international benchmarking approaches, and comparative international approaches to assessment.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills in English.

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.