International Consultant to support National Education Authorities in Albania to design a training methodology for Preschool Curriculum

International Consultant to support Agency for the Assurance of Quality in the Pre-university Education in Albania (AAQPUE) to design a training methodology for Preschool Curriculum

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UNICEF Albania is seeking for an international consultant to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MOESY) and the Agency for the Assurance of Quality in the Pre-University Education (AAQPUE) for drafting the training methodology of the preschool curriculum in Albania and deliver a TOT training to the teachers and the AAQPUE staff and other education stakeholders.

Under the guidance of the Early Learning and Education Specialist and the Agency for the Assurance of Quality in the Pre-University Education, the selected consultant will be accountable for different professional and technical contributions.

The main tasks and deliverables for the consultant as part of this assignment will be:

• Desk review of the documents relevant to this exercise as shared from UNICEF, (the main documents to be revised are: National Education Strategy (2021-2026), Law on Pre-university education, the OECD study supported by UNICEF “OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Albania”, “The Curricular framework”, “Early Development and Learning Standards for 3-6 age group”, the “Preschool Curriculum Framework”, “Programs for preschool” the “Assessment Framework for Preschool”, the “Preschool Standards for teachers”, “Inclusive Preschool training modules”.
• Conduct skype calls or zoom calls with UNICEF and AAQPUE to get better familiarized with the curricula implementation and other developments in the sector.
• Develop the methodology of the teacher training on the Preschool Curriculum and share it with UNICEF and MOESY and AAQPUE for feedback. The training methodology  should use child centered  methodologies, focus on play based  teaching and learning and be   aligned with the Albanian curriculum, Early Learning and Development Standards and also contain elements of inclusiveness, resilience, approaches to improving learning   during and after COVID-19.
• Deliver the TOT of the methodology on the preschool curriculum to the AAQPUE staff, preschool teachers and headmasters, and other education stakeholders in Albania. Conduct skype calls with the education representatives at central and local level as well as other actors involved in education to provide technical inputs for the development of the methodology.  
• Organize an online workshop with AAQPUE members and local government members to provide guidance on the format/content of the training.

Deliverable 1 – A desk review and inception report and draft outline of the training methodology for the Preschool Curriculum will be provided.

• Desk review of the relevant documents of the Albanian context;
• Conduct 3 (or more if needed) skype calls with UNICEF, MOESY and AAQPUE members to get familiar with the curriculum reform in Albania;
• Develop an outline of the methodology to be presented in the next phase (in the workshop).

Duration: 8 working days (from the country of residence) Completion Date: 15 days after contract has been signed

Deliverable 2 – Organize an online workshop with AAQPUE, local government members, and relevant education stakeholders to provide guidance on the format / content of the training and agree on the outline of the methodology.

• Share the concept note of the agenda and other training materials with UNICEF in advance;
• Present a methodology in a participatory way and incorporate the feedback given by the participants;
• Receive all the inputs and come out with and agreed outline and specific topics of each training module.

Duration: 10 working days (from the country of residence); Completion Date:  4 weeks after the submission of the first deliverable

Deliverable 3 - Deliver the final TOT training methodology on the preschool curriculum to the AAQPUE, teachers, and other education stakeholders in Albania.

• Share the training methodology materials power point presentation, agenda and pre-post test and other logistics with UNICEF and MOESY;
• Deliver a TOT to participants from the AAQPUE, teachers and other relevant Education stakeholders in   Albania through online platforms.

Duration:  25 days  Completion Date: 5 weeks after the submission of the second deliverable

Deliverable 4 – Develop a final report on the training delivered regarding the preschool curriculum with the education stakeholders and the training methodology and share it UNICEF and MOESY for feedback.

• Prepare a final report (after consolidating the comments and feedback from UNICEF and MoESY), it shall contain a short summary and recommendations for MoESY, and a pre-post test;
• Share with UNICEF the final training methodology on the preschool curriculum

Duration: 4 days Completion Date: 2 weeks after the submission of previous deliverable

More details on the background and context as well as on administrative arrangements for the consultancy can be found on the TOR document  TOR for methdology for preschool training.docx - for distribution.pdf

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

• Advanced university degree in Early Childhood Education, Pedagogy, Early Years Curriculum Development;
• Demonstrated extensive experience (minimum of 7 years) of conducting work on Early childhood Education curricula development and training.
• Excellent facilitation skills and demonstrated experience of leading joined group efforts;
• Excellent writing skills in English and ability to synthetize complex information;
• Knowledge and experience of UNICEF priorities in Early Learning Education in Albania or the Region would be an advantage.

The applicants must submit to the UNICEF Albania office for review:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae;

• Letter of Interest specifying how the consultant plans to carry out the work foreseen under the relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max 300 words);
• Links to previous written work on Early childhood curricula development and training or samples of written work related to the scope of the TORs;
• Financial proposal indicating a daily fee inclusive of all taxes.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. If you have any question related to this advertisement do not hesitate to contact Elvana Pernaska at epernaska@unicef.org

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.