UNDP Jobs - 74249- Technical Specialist to the Ministry of Education,

Technical Specialist to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology - Education for Prevention of Radicalization

Location :

Prishtinë/Priština, Kosovo, UNSCR 1244 (1999)

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2017

Application Deadline :

21-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year with possibility for extension

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 Year with possibility for extension

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Purpose:

The topic of foreign terrorist fighters who joined or attempted to join the conflict in Syria and Iraq to fight with various (designated terrorist) groups has moved to the top of policy agendas around the world. Governments, security agencies, local communities and others are particularly concerned about the potential security threat emanating from this phenomenon. Even though anecdotal evidence suggests that many foreign fighters have either no intention of leaving Syria/Iraq at all, or aspire to move on to other conflict zones in the future, a significant number has already and may continue to return to their former home countries. Events such as the attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May 2014 by a returnee from Syria, the assault on the staff of the French Charlie Hebdo magazine in January 2015, as well as the largescale Paris attacks of November that year committed by individuals connected to foreign fighters, have shown that there is a clear security risk connected to the phenomenon.

Kosovo central level stakeholders have approved in 2016 the Strategy on Prevention of Violent Extremism and Radicalization leading to Terrorism 2015 – 2020 and its action plan. Implementation of this action plan started during 2016 and besides a central level working group, under the responsibility of the Office of the Prime Minister, line ministries are also responsible for forming technical working groups at their own entity level to monitor/guide the activities assigned to them.

Under the Kosovo Strategy on Prevention of Violent Extremism and Radicalisation leading to Terrorism 2015 – 2020 and action plan, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has been assigned a major role in early identification as well as prevention.

During the last annual review of the Action plan on CVE, it was noted that MEST requires expert advice in order to further implement its activities. As an initial initiative, UNDP now provides support to MEST on the development of a Practitioner’s Guide on Preventing Radicalization in Schools for use in Kosovo. It will tackle key challenges educators face daily in Kosovar school life by using a methodological bottom-up approach by teachers for teachers. It is further envisaged that the training will take place Kosovo wide on the use of the handbook.

UNDP plans now further to support the MEST based on the Abu Dhabi Memorandum on Good Practices for Education and Countering Violent Extremism, which focuses on the ways in which education can be used as a resource and a tool by policymakers, teachers and educators, community-based and other non-governmental organizations (NGO), and families and parents to prevent and counter violent extremism. Education can be leveraged as a tool to achieve both beneficial and harmful results in the context of violent extremism. Therefore, governments, civil society, and the private sector should work together to identify the myriad ways in which education can be utilized to build resilience and reduce recruitment and radicalization to violent extremism.

The starting point for the effective role of education in countering violent extremism (CVE) is access to and protection of schools as a safe space - both physically and intellectually. Because education is a universal value, educational environments can be a space for CVE interventions that are effective across cultures and contexts. As with any CVE programming, CVE educational interventions are only relevant if they address the local push and pull factors leading to radicalization and recruitment. Quality education alone is not sufficient for CVE, but it can broadly enable results-based CVE efforts in the education sector.

The purpose of the technical specialist is to provide support to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in the field of prevention of radicalization and countering violent extremism in schools in accordance with to the central level action plan on CVE leading to the following critical outcomes:

1. Develop a strategy for teachers and administrators regarding prevention of radicalization in different levels of the educational system; the strategy should include close cooperation with the municipal level, civil society, and representatives of religious communities.

2. Develop curricula for students in (at a minimum) the elementary and the middle grades (grades from 5th through 9th) and one for students in high school.

This will be done by;

1. Providing in-depth and conceptual input from a CVE lens on the implementation of the Kosovo CVE strategy and action plan concerning the activities assigned to MEST;

2. Providing CVE-specific advice and information to the established working group in MEST dealing with CVE, concerning capacity development, curricula development improvement, critical thinking skills but also about specific activities like school safety, antibullying, safe use of internet, media literacy, etc.

Reporting structure and partners:

The technical specialist will be located within the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) but will report weekly to UNDP.

Internally: Some support shall be provided by the UNDP Programme for organizing meetings, providing contact points etc. Additionally, the technical expert will work in close cooperation with the UNDP project manager, and other stakeholders when required. Regular updates and report must be prepared by the advisor for UNDP which may be shared with partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop strategy paper for teachers and administrators regarding prevention of radicalization in different levels of the educational system through coordination with stakeholders;

Develops a strategy paper document for teachers and administrators, (including description of the level of responsibilities) regarding prevention of radicalization in different levels of the educational system;
Ensures that the strategy will include close cooperation with the municipal level, civil society, and representatives of religious communities;
Ensures that the strategy document outlines clear roles, responsibilities and actions that need to be taken including a suggested timeline for implementation;
Cooperates with local stakeholders to ensure that the strategy paper is well researched and thoroughly coordinated with other stakeholders, activities and projects on-going on CVE within MEST.

2. Develop a curriculum for students in the elementary and the middle grades (grades from 5th through 9th) and one for students in high school on preventing violent extremism;

Develops curriculum on prevention of violent extremism for students (planned, purposeful, progressive, and systematic process in order to create positive improvements in the educational system);
Ensures that the curriculum is in line with MEST regulations and the current CVE strategy and action plan;
Develops thematic topics and trainings on CVE for all age groups, specifically on issues such as critical thinking skills, anti-bullying etc;
Ensures that the curriculum is based on Kosovo context and developed in consultation with teachers, educators, students, MEST and the CVE central level working group.

3) Plans and designs a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;

Develops a monitoring and evaluation framework derived from the allocated activities assigned to MEST;
Ensures the monitoring and evaluation framework must be based on a result based management approach.

4) Providing technical expertise and advice on CVE-specific outcomes to the established working group in MEST dealing with CVE;

Provides technical expertise concerning capacity development, curricula development improvement, critical thinking skills but also about specific activities like school safety, antibullying, safe use of internet, media literacy, etc.;
Facilities knowledge building within MEST on the above topics.

5) Ensures aggregate reports are developed on activities, outcomes and outputs;

Submits by-monthly reports to UNDP, which details current activities as well as planned interventions;
Prepares and develops a final report which reflects the objective of the assignment, progress, challenges, solutions and recommendations for future interventions.

Competencies

Core:

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery:

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional:

Education and Curriculum Development

Experience Ability to successfully develop curriculum for middle and high school students
Level 6: Integrate & Empower: Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise

Countering Violent Extremism/Preventing Violent Extremism Thematic Knowledge

Expertise in CVE/PVE specifically with a focus on children and youth
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

MA Degree or equivalent in education, sociology, psychology or related field. PhD will be considered an advantage.

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years working on countering violent extremism of which two (2) years on developing curricula or school educational programmes;
Demonstrated experience presenting and representing ideas with a range of stakeholders including donors and government officials;
Demonstrated knowledge of current principles, concepts, practices, methods, and techniques of CVE;
Proven experience in working with international organizations.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of Albanian or Serbian is an asset.

Other:

Describe any additional qualifications:
Proficiency in English.
Working knowledge of other UN languages desirable
Non-Smoking environment

Application Instructions:

Click on the "Apply now" button.
Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box.
Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11).
System will only allow one attachment. All docs (P11, academic qualifications/diploma) should be included as one attachment
Without the completed and signed P11, your application may not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at this link: http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/operations/jobs