Consultant for developing training programme and conducting the teacher trainings in Central Asia

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Almaty

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : [[1 August - 10 December 2020]]

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-JUL-2020

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

Even though the Central Asian countries have advanced on the achievement of SDGs, there are still challenges in the achievement of all SDG 4 targets, especially to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” (SDG target 4.7). One of the challenges in the achievement of SDG4 include ensuring competency-based learning via mainstreaming key competencies for sustainable development and global citizenship.

To be more responsive to the needs of learners as well as to address regional disparities and issues of inclusive education and gender equality, the education systems in Central Asian countries need further strengthening. The traditional approach prevails in the understanding of education focused on rote learning and narrow disciplines-based learning and does not sufficiently teach skills and values for  sustainable development, socio-emotional or behavioural competencies. Lack of such skills among learners at all levels of education leave the next generation vulnerable to different challenges and obstacles in the 21^st century.

Competency-based education is the priority in Central Asian countries to meet both the needs of all learners as well as the demands of labour market in regards to national socio-economic priorities. One of the most effective tools to mainstream key competences of the 21st century is through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED), especially via teacher trainings and building skills of teachers and teacher educators in this area.

Long Description

Building on the previous project "Sustainability begins with teachers in Central Asia" and other ESD initiatives conducted by UNESCO Almaty, which was aimed to start institutional change in teacher education institutions and to strengthen the capacity of teachers in the sub-region in line with the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO is continuing to provide its support to the pre-service and in-service teacher training institutions. This support will include the capacity development for teacher education institutions and teachers on mainstreaming key competencies through ESD and GCED. In particular, UNESCO Almaty will train teachers and teacher educators from pre-service and in-service teacher training institutions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to effectively mainstream ESD and GCED and become the key institutional change agents for sustainable development. Moreover, the planned activities will be based on the new ESD Roadmap for 2030, which was adopted at the 40th General Conference, and its strategic objective and priority action area on building capacity of teachers and educators on ESD.  

In addition, as a response to COVID-19 pandemic challenges in education sector, these trainings will also combine distance learning technologies and methods for teachers to be able to use the acquired knowledge and skills in new circumstances of distance learning. The trainings will be conducted in the format of blended learning with self-paced study of materials, interactive practical sessions and presentation of projects. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the trainings, pre- and post-tests will be conducted during the teacher trainings. For sustainability and ownership, national in-service teacher training institutions will be invited as key partners and trained teachers will be required to conduct trainings for their peer teachers and colleagues on ESD and GCED.

Long Description

Tasks:

To organize and conduct the teacher trainings on “Developing distance learning technologies to mainstream ESD and GCED”. Under the overall authority of the Director of UNESCO Office in Almaty and direct supervision of Programme Specialist in Education, the Consultant shall perform the following work assignments:

1. Develop a training programme on “Developing distance learning technologies to mainstream ESD and GCED”  in the format of blended learning;
2. On the basis of the developed training programme, prepare and conduct the teacher trainings for the first round of teachers by the end of August 2020 and for the second round by the end of November 2020;
3. Conduct pre- and post-evaluations of participating teachers’ knowledge and skills on the topics to ensure the effective impact of trainings;
4. Ensure interactive and innovate training methods during practical sessions of the trainings;
5. Support trained teachers in their further activities and required follow-up trainings for their peers at their own institutions;
6. Submit report on the results of the trainings, including number of participants, reflection on the trainings, overview of the pre- and post-evaluations as well as photos and recordings of the online sessions.

UNESCO Almaty will provide logistical support of the trainings, including invitation of the participants, providing the links to training platforms, etc.

Long Description COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Leading and empowering others (M) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

- Advanced University degree (PhD or équivalent) in éducation, social sciences fields or economics.

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

- Minimum 10 years of teaching at higher education institution;

- Expérience in developing rtraining programmes and manuals in fields retated to ESD and GCED. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Proven training and facilitation skills in the field of education;

- Organizational skills, including in developing training plans and schedules as well as in implementing them effectively;

- Ability to address the challenges of training participants and availability after the trainings for follow-up support;

- Demonstrated interpereonal skills and ability to provide constructive feedback and motivate training participants.

- Ability to communicate effectively and persuasivety and interactive facilitation skills.

 

LANGUAGES
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of Russian and good command of English. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

- Other degrees or short to medium-tenm training in disciplines relevant to thé post. 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

- Expérience in conducting trainings and facilitating workshops for international organizations, including UN agencies and UNESCO;

- Experience in conducting trainings in the countries of Central Asia. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Broad général culture and good geopolitical knowledge of the Central Asian région;

- Understanding of UNESCO's stratégic directions in education sector and familiarity with UNESCO's tools and resources on ESD and GCED. 

DELIVERABLES

The Consultant will provide to UNESCO Almaty:

1. By 1 September  2020 – Programme of the 1^st round training and report on the 1^st round of trainings;
2. By 1 December 2020 – Programme of the 2^nd round training and report on the 2^nd round of trainings.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, submitted CV and draft training programme in Russian, and if necessary a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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