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1. CONTEXT

Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) calls for free, equitable and good quality primary and secondary education for all girls and boys by 2030, leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. The education system in Georgia has undergone many changes in the past two decades. While some reform measures proved to be progressive, others have not contributed to the improvement of education quality or the effectiveness of the education system as they were short-term reforms that eventually were not successful due to a lack of a long-term vision and political will. Education quality is low, as can be seen in Georgia's low ranking in international student assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

In 2019, the Prime Minister of Georgia announced a new education reform addressing equity, quality and inclusiveness of education systems. Reforming Upper Secondary Education (Grades 11-12) is one of the standing priorities of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia (MoESCS) to make teaching and learning processes based on student competency and respectful of the basic principles of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC).  Several state universities in Georgia in partnership with UNICEF have already developed and incorporated syllabuses on CRC into their curricula; however, there is a high demand to support academia with the improvement of a quality of their Bachelor and Master level programmes for building a highly qualified teaching workforce in Georgia. The Code on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the Parliament of Georgia in 2019 which aims to protect the rights of the children by building enabling and supportive systems and services.  Academia has a strong role in building a highly qualified teaching workforce in Georgia. However, an overall awareness and knowledge of stakeholders about the realisation of the CRC is low.

1. RESPONSE 

MoESCS, UNICEF and the Government of Estonia continue their partnership on the revision of a national school curriculum for grades 11-12 to make it student-centered, skills- and competency-based. A high-quality curriculum will contribute to improving students' motivation for learning. Estonia's experience with education reform and its leading performance in international assessments of students will be employed. UNICEF will partner with the Estonia-based professional foundation to support with the implementation of programme.

The curriculum revision process will include a gap analysis, exploring international experience and good practices, development of curriculum framework and policy, formulation of learning standards, elaboration of programmes per subject, etc. Throughout the programme, UNICEF and the MoESCS will be working with the engaged Estonian and Georgian partners and field experts. A number of validation sessions and workshops will be organized with teachers, administrators, field experts and academia to discuss the documents elaborated within the programme. Subsequent discussions among experts and decision-makers will lead the MoESCS to further revise textbooks based on the new National Curriculum to make them compatible with quality standards.

UNICEF will continue to support universities of Georgia by incorporating CRC principles in BA and MA programmes. Namely, activities of the partnership will include:

• Conducting training sessions on CRC for academia staff of partner universities;
• Conducting open sessions on CRC with other universities;
• Supporting the design and establishment of Child Rights Centers in partner universities;
• Designing, planning and conducting the first ever national conference on incorporating the CRC into university education.

1. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS AND REQUIRED TASKS:

UNICEF is inviting interested candidates to apply for the position of the Education Officer to work full-time on a temporary twelve (12) month assignment (with possible extension) to support the MoESCS, UNICEF and Estonian partners with the following:

• Planning the revision of the national curriculum (grades 11-12) and development plan;
• Conducting a gap analysis;
• Development of a policy paper on upper secondary education in Georgia;
• Development of subject standards (compulsory and elective subjects);
• Development of subject programmes (compulsory subjects);
• Development of subject programmes (elective subjects) ;
• Development of curriculum implementation manual;
• Trainings and open sessions on CRC incorporation into university curricula;
• Designing and suggesting models and operational frameworks, and supporting establishment of Child Rights Centers in universities;
• Preparation of the First National Conference on incorporating the CRC in universities.

Specific tasks:

• To support drafting detailed individual ToRs for the services of international and national experts to be recruited by partner Estonian organization; consultants will be identified in close consultation with the MoESCS and UNICEF;
• To organize and participate in the selection of national consultants;
• To coordinate the process of translation of relevant documents, ensuring quality of the documents;
• To set quality standards for the deliverables of international and national consultants;
• To provide overall technical guidance to international and national consultants;
• To oversee and coordinate the work between international and national consultants, MoESCS, MoESCS agencies and other stakeholders;
• To provide quality control of drafts and relevant documents by providing thorough revision and technical inputs into all drafts, including revising and editing as required;
• To provide regular supervision and monitoring of international and national consultants for ensuring quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services and deliverables (resources);
• To take a lead in planning, designing and conducting focus groups on validation of elaborated resources;
• Presenting and finalizing drafts together with international and national consultants for UNICEF, MoESCS and other stakeholders;
• To identify challenges and constraints early and provide strategic solutions and actions;
• To initiate and maintain consultations and exchange (via Skype, etc.) with the partner Estonian specialists;
• To organize regular coordination meetings of project staff to provide guidance and ensure consideration of their feedback;
• To plan, organize and support trainings and open sessions on incorporating CRC in universities, to follow up and provide feedbacks on the syllabuses of different subjects to reflect the CRC principles;
• To negotiate, support and contribute to the opening of Child Rights Centers in universities, participate in the drafting of annual plans for functioning of these centers;
• To lead administrative processes for the National Conference, participate in scientific committees, provide feedbacks on abstracts, prepare abstract books and support dissemination of knowledge;
• Ensure collaboration with relevant agencies of the MoESCS, schools, universities;
• Support any other related task, as required for the successful implementation of the programme;
• Other tasks as required by UNICEF supervisors.

1. SUPERVISION:

Day-to-day supervision will be provided by UNICEF Education Officer. Overall supervision will be provided by the UNICEF Deputy Representative.

1. DURATION OF TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT(TA):

TA is for the duration of 12 months in 2020-2021 with possible extension subject to the needs of the office and satisfactory performance of the officer.

1. REQUIRED QUALIFICATION:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, sociology, social sciences or another relevant technical field;
• A minimum of one year of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research in education is required;
• Proven coordination and managerial work experience with central and local government, universities, etc. in the field of education and curriculum development would be an asset;
• Proficiency and sound knowledge of curriculum philosophy, theory, design; good knowledge of international and national experiences in curriculum development would be an asset;
• Excellent knowledge of National Curriculum of Georgia would be an asset;
• Proven work experience in cooperation, facilitation and coordination of diversified groups, governmental agencies, schools, academia and relevant stakeholders would be an asset;
• Excellent reporting and writing skills (in Georgian) would be an asset;
• Fluency in English and Georgian is required.

1. APPLICATION DEADLINE AND DOCUMENTS

Deadline for the submission of applications is 17 March 2020.

Applications should include:

1. CV
2. Motivation letter