Non-Staff Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Multiple

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 19-12-2024

 

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

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

UNESCO Pacific is one of five Implementing Agencies of the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF). The Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) is an expression of the region’s commitment and shared priorities for improvement in education and training framed though a participatory process and formally endorsed by the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES). PacREF is supported by funds made available by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Government of New Zealand and is administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In line with the PacREF Rolling Implementation Plan, UNESCO Pacific provides technical support to 15 PacREF member countries to strengthen inclusive education in the Pacific so that learners at all levels of education achieve their full potential (long term goal of policy area 3 ‘Outcomes and Wellbeing’) and acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attributed to enable them to contribute to their families, communities and to nation building (impact). 

 

The Individual Consultant will be responsible for providing expertise, guidance, and technical support in the development and implementation of UNESCO’s programmatic work on neurodiversity and multisensory approaches to support learners with learning differences, in line with PacREF’s inclusion in education agenda in the Pacific with focus on the research findings of the two countries in Micronesia (FSM & Kiribati).

Long Description

Objectives

Overall Objective: To create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape that recognizes and addresses the unique needs of neurodivergent students, ultimately enhancing their learning experiences and outcomes.

Specific Objective: To produce teaching support materials providing concrete guidance and tools to teachers in two countries to ensure inclusive classroom practices.

Concretely, the Individual Expert will produce following outputs:

  1.  Review existing research findings related to neurodivergent learners for orientation,
  2. Produce one desk-based report which reviews the current Teacher Training Curriculum of two Pacific countries (FSM & Kiribati) to identify coverage and gaps in strengthening Inclusive Education including neurodiversity. Each report is brief and includes an analytical part and a section on findings and recommendations.
  3. Undertake in-country consultations with teacher trainers, teachers and policy makers to corroborate review findings and collect local ideas for teacher strategies, methods and resources to support neurodivergent learners. Reflect findings per country in a slide desk.
  4. Based on country consultations, develop two country reports (FSM & Kiribati) which identify and develop concrete context-relevant strategies and resources for teachers to create more inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of special needs and neurodivergent learners. The format of the teacher support materials will be defined with the respective education authority and teacher training institute based on national needs and practicality.
  5. Present and collect feedback on proposed IE strategies and resources for finalization.

Long Description

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)
Professionalism (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Required education: 

  • A Master’s degree in Educational Science or related discipline.

Required experience:

  • At least one similar assignment conducted in collaboration with ministries of education and/ or Teacher Training Institutes demonstrating extensive knowledge of inclusive education in Asia Pacific.
  • At least 5 years of experience in supporting inclusive education.

Required skills/competencies: 

  • Relevant experience working with national stakeholders on developing tools and support systems for neurodivergent learners. 

 

Language Requirement: 

Fluency in English is required. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Desirable professional experience: 

  • Teaching  Certificate.
  • Neurodiveristy Practitioner Certificate.
  • Demonstrated understanding of socio-economic context of Pacific Island Countries, including limited human and institutional capacities in the field of inclusive education.

Relevant experience working with national stakeholders on developing tools and support systems for neurodivergent learners. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Technical Proposal 

Submit a technical proposal detailing the methodology, a work plan on how the objectives of this assignment will be achieved, and the expert's CV online at UN Careers by 19 December 2024, 00:00Hrs Samoa time.

A maximum of 700 Points can be achieved for the technical proposal.

a) Methodology and workplan: 250 points

- Clarity and relevance: 100 points

- Comprehensiveness: 100 points

b) Relevant experience and expertise: 200 points

- Expertise in Inclusive Education and Neurodiversity: 100 points 

- Experience with Pacific Island Countries:100 points

c) Qualifications: 150 points

- Education and certification: 100 points

- Professional Experience: 50 points

d) Understanding of the context and the approach: 100 points

- Context Relevance: 50 points

- Innovative approaches: 50 points

2. Financial Proposal 

A financial proposal for Lump Sum fee and travel expenses stated in US Dollars (USD) MUST be submitted via email to: proposals.pacific@unesco.org no later than 19 December 2024 00:00 Hrs Samoa time. The financial element is worth up to 300 points. The cheapest proposal earns 300 points, while costlier proposals score proportionally less based on their price difference e.g., a proposal twice as expensive as the cheapest scores 150 points.

 

Please consult attached Terms of Reference for more details on the vacancy or email ao.apia@unesco.org to request for a copy if you are unable to access it.

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, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as 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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