ADVERT

Education Consultant

Purpose / Short Term Consultancy
Location / Bucharest
Duration / 11 months
Start date / October2015 –August2016
Reporting to / Luminita Costache, Education Specialist
Source of funding / RR
Project and Activity codes / 3660/A0/05/802/001/002

Purpose of the post

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Education Specialist the overall purpose of the position is to provide technical expertise to the education program on policy development.

Background

UNICEF and the Ministry of Education jointly identify, implement and monitor common priorities in the education sector in the framework of the 2013 -2017 UNICEF Romania partnership. One of the main objectives for this period is to accelerate education reforms and develop stronger policies on inclusiveness and quality education (focusing on the most vulnerable children, such as: Roma children, children with disabilities, children from poor families, children from rural areas). For an effective and efficient development and implementation of the priorities, specific consultancy and additional support are needed.

Justification

During 2015 – 2016 period of time, the education programme intends toenhance the Government capacities to develop and implement new policies ensuring access to quality inclusive education for all children, with a special focus on the most vulnerable.

Specific consultancy and additional support are needed for the next 11 months, from September2015 until August2016, for providing quick feedback on complex legislative reforms, in a time when education law is under revision and the new adopted strategy on Prevention of Early School Leaving – ESL is developing its implementation, monitoring and evaluations instruments. These will require significant input from UNICEF CO, sometimes over a short period.

Specific Tasks:

The key tasks expected to be fulfilled during this consultancy are:

  1. Provide technical assistance for the development of documents by reviewing and commenting on TORs, methodologies and draft;
  2. Compile good practices and international/regional standards related to school counsellors, especially in EU countries;
  3. Identify and share quality studies related to pre-university education, and extract the most relevant findings, conclusions and recommendations;
  4. Collect, compile and analyse information related to the implementation of the Prevention of Early School Leaving Strategy, and provide monthly briefing notes as well as flag important issues and initiatives immediately;
  5. Document at least 3 good practices related to inclusive quality pre-university education in Romania;
  6. Analyse current and new legislative initiatives in the area of pre-university education, such as: 1) revision of education law, 2) revision of Early Childhood Education strategy, 3) revision of Parenting strategy;
  7. Provide feedback and support for inputting the Operational Programme documents for EU structural funds 2014 – 2020;

Methodology

Working under the supervision of the Education Specialist the consultant will be expected to produce the below mentioned expected deliverables, in English or Romanian (it will be specified for each task).

Expected deliverables:

  • Comments on studies TORs, methodologies and drafts;
  • 10 page briefing note on school counsellor;
  • Extract from 5-10 quality studies the most relevant findings, conclusions and recommendations;
  • Monthly briefing notes related to Prevention of Early School Leaving Strategy;
  • 3 good practices documented;
  • Timely comments by email of current and new legislative initiatives in the area of pre-university education;
  • Timely inputs for the Operational Programme documents for EU structural funds 2014 – 2020.

Expected Background and Experience

Qualifications

  • University degree in Education, Sociology, Law or social related field;
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in Education;
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in working with vulnerable groups;
  • Professional work experience in project management and evaluation;
  • Experience with non-governmental organization;
  • Previous work experience with an international organizationis an asset.

Competencies

  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
  • Analytical and conceptual ability;
  • Communication skills;
  • Planning and monitoring skills;
  • Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications;
  • Project management skills
  • Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.

General conditions: Procedures and Logistics

  • Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Education Specialist. Decision-making is limited to methods of work and prioritizing project activities in accordance with established weekly/ monthly work-plan.;
  • The estimated number of days envisaged for the consultancy is 10 days per month
  • All communication will be done with UNICEF office;
  • This contract includes per diem and transportation when travelling with UNICEF.
  • Payments will be made monthly, based on activity report signed by supervisor.
  • Note: consultant will sign health statement prior to taking the assignment and the designation form will be completed.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to email a cover letter, CV and P11 form (which can be downloaded from to by cob 2October 2015 with the subject “Education Consultant”. In your cover letter, please indicate your relevant experience, availabilityand your daily rate. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.