Background

This project is a part of Institutional Reform Plan 3 (IRP3) “Strengthening civil service training in Azerbaijan with a focus on EU affairs” aims at strengthening the core institutions involved into the negotiations and implementations of the EU-Azerbaijan Association Agreement.

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacities of the Academy of Public Administration (APA) with regard to management and coordination of civil servants training and professional development function across state bodies and leading to the development and implementation of training strategy and training policies.

The project will focus on two specific objectives: 1) to support the Academy of  Public Administration in establishment of Trainings Centre and capacity building of its staff; 2) to strengthen the institutional capacities of the Academy of  Public Administration to lead and coordinate the civil servants trainings and to provide the methodological assistance to state bodies and other training centers.

For this purpose it is planned to establish the library used by APA as a resource center that will concentrate and provide access to the various type of training information required for professional development of civil servants.

Objective of the assignment:

Newly established Training Center of APA will have two categories of trainers: permanent and outsourced. All trainers are expected to deliver trainings that meet certain single requirements. Therefore, there will be a need for Training of Trainers (TOT) who in their own turn will keep training for new recruited trainers. The development of standard training curricula in selected priority areas will facilitate introduction of unified/single standards in all training materials and training delivery in the Training Center. 

Under this project the trainings are foreseen to address training needs that are relevant to all state bodies.

The Consultant is expected to develop TOT module on “Organization and management of civil service trainings”.

The main objective of this assignment is to prepare the curriculum and supporting materials on above mentioned topic, as well as to deliver a pilot training for developed curriculum.

Developed training curricula will meet the main training needs of the civil servants, and enhance their knowledge and skills and thus enhance the overall efficiency of civil service training. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The local expert will contribute to the goal of assignment and project objective through fulfilling the following main tasks in close cooperation with UNDP and APA:

Standard curricula consist of the following minimum elements (examples/ templates will be provided by the Project):

• Course outline and agenda;
• Training manual/methodology;
• “Trainers’ notes”/lessons plan (detailed description how and with which means the training will be implemented) – they should also indicate at least two options of training duration (e.g. one-day and two-day training);
• Presentations, including notes for each slide;
• Methods and exercises with handouts (at least one team work exercise and one role play exercise);
• At least two localized case studies;
• Background reading;
• Videos or other multi-media materials;
• Pre- and post-test to assess learning.

Trainings should be interactive and up-to-date and training curricula should meet international standards.

The design of short-term courses (2-3 training days) should take into account the workload and time constraints imposed on civil service personnel. At the same time, the short term trainings must address precisely the needs of target groups and aim at the delivery of specific practical knowledge and skills in the shortest possible time.

1. Designing and developing training curriculum and all supporting materials:

• Develop and submit for consideration of UNDP and APA  an efficient and detailed work plan;
• Draft main training objectives, review and agree them with APA and UNDP;
• Ensure effective coordination and communication with UNDP and APA throughout the whole process;
• Ensure that the developed training curricula are comprised of innovative training approaches and interactive communication methods;
• Submit a complete draft set of training curricula and all supporting materials for feedback and endorsement by APA and UNDP at least two weeks before the scheduled trainings days;
• Adjust draft curricula based on the feedback from APA and UNDP;
• After piloting, adjust if necessary and finalize the curricula according to feedback provided.

1. preparing for and delivering one pilot training on the mentioned training topic:

• conduct one pilot training on developed training module;
• conduct an end-of-course evaluation with all participants according to the provided template and provide the project with all filled-in end-of-course questionnaires;
• submit a concise report on the delivered training, specifying recommended adjustments to the curriculum and other issues with regard to the training delivery.

In addition to the above-mentioned tasks, the Consultancy should make sure that the developed training curricula;

• reflect the main principles of learning including active involvement, motivation and feedback mechanism, individual approach, sequencing and structuring, effective transfer of knowledge/skills;
• meet the needs of participants;
• apply multi-media tools including slide-shows, pictures, videos, etc.;
• are comprised of well-ordered, simple and involving content which is easy to understand and follow;
• ensure interactive communication with the trainees through debates, Q&A and brainstorming sessions, case studies, quizzes, role-plays, as well as competitive, individual and group activities;
• balance interactive-independent-instructor led training experiences;

The full copyright for the developed materials will be with UNDP and APA and the Consultant is not allowed to conduct trainings with the developed materials without written consent of UNDP and APA.

Deliverables:

The assignment must have the following deliverables:

• Training modules and all supporting materials developed according to the specifications;
• Training on “Organization and management of civil service trainings” for a group of trainers;
• Progress report.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competencies:

• Showing the will to learn and develop professional skills;
• Consistently work with energy and positive, constructive attitude;
• Focus on result for the client and respond positively to feedback;
• To be self-sufficient and conduct himself in the highest professional manner in working relations.

Required Skills and Experience

• High education in public administration, human development and education, social sciences; (max 20 points)
• At least 5-year experience in developing work/training plans in general and in the public sector environment in particular; (max 30 points)
• Adequate knowledge of public sector, strategy, training and development; (max 30 points)
• At least 5 years of training experience; (max 20 points)
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills;
• Proficient computer skills.