UNDP Jobs - 82936- International Inclusive Education Specialist

International Inclusive Education Specialist

Location :

Baku, AZERBAIJAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Feb-2019

Application Deadline :

28-Jan-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 (one) year

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The overall objective of this Action is to increase access to inclusive vocational programs to children and youth with disabilities tailored to their developmental needs. The main target groups of the Action are:

1. Children, Youth and adults with disabilities with formal education background from special schools;

2. Youth without disabilities interested to get involved in vocational training on the arts and crafts;

3. Trainers and special educators involved into the educational process;

4. Staff of the Icherisheher (Old City) Centre for Traditional Art (ICTA) and selected special schools.

The major outcome of the Action will result in the creation of a VET Centre accessible for people with disabilities and ensure its responsiveness to the labour market needs.

Teachers and instructors recruited for this project will be equipped with knowledge and skills to teach the youth with disabilities together with the youth without disabilities.

Project activities benefiting these target groups will be vocational arts and crafts program adjusted to youth with disabilities that will equip them with competitive and marketable skills. The project will contribute to the promotion of the inclusive vocational education model and the provision of equal opportunities for people with the disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

International Inclusive Education Specialist will be responsible for the provision of the expertise in piloting vocational arts and crafts programs for the youth with disabilities internationally including:

Participate in the process of curriculum adjustment and development of new curriculum programs for the youth with disabilities (woodcrafts, ceramic crafts and simple souvenirs, three curriculums in total) – review, revise and suggest on changes required to make the programs inclusive);
Participate in the process of the selection of format of individual development plans for the project goals – research, review and recommend on the most optimal format;
Conduct trainings on inclusive education (principles, history, methodology, lessons learned, etc.) for the staff working with the youth with disabilities (3-day training sessions for 10 arts and crafts trainers, 5 special services providers, 6 special educators, 4 project staff members – 25 participants);
Conduct process assessment of the vocational educational program and report on the results. During the third visit, attend and observe the vocational educational program, conduct process assessment, report on the results on the needs in additional individual guidance and consultations to trainers, services providers and special educators. Provide guidance and consultation on the improvement of services;
Share expertise in lessons learned of piloting inclusive vocational programs in developed countries;
Be available via email, skype to answer the questions and brainstorm on the best decisions related to project activities;
Develop new and revise already excising documents to be submitted to the Ministry of Education on lessons learned from this pilot initiative;
Collaboration with the staff of the project to ensure that the expertise is shared in an understandable and effective way;
Support the project team with the official narrative reports to EU;
Submission of the timesheets in a timely manner.

The ultimate role of the expert is to share expertise in implementation of inclusive vocational programs with practical recommendations on lessons learned, expected challenges and strategies to overcome them.

Deliverables:

Report on Curriculum Development Process

Training program and materials on Inclusive Education for the staff of the project - in PDF or Word Format
Training evaluation forms by participants

Narrative Report on activities - as a part of general project report presented to EU
On job guidance –consultations during the visits
Process evaluation report – after visiting vocational education classes, review of IDPs
Narrative Report on activities - as a part of general project report presented to EU
Final report - policy recommendations for sustainability of the project

Detailed provision of monitoring and progress controls, including reporting requirements, frequency, format and deadlines;

Monitoring and progress control will be conducted by the project team in consultation with the UNDP Programme Advisor.

Reporting, its frequency, format and deadlines will be done in accordance with the deliverables shown above.

Terms and Conditions for provision of services;

The assignment will be a combination of field and home-based works.

International Inclusive Education Specialist is expected to have minimum of 3 flights to Azerbaijan (4 days each, 12 days in total). Additional trips may take place in accordance with the project work plan and this trip will be covered by the project in addition to the budget proposal submitted by the expert according to the rules and regulations of UNDP. He/She is expected to be available for audio and video conference calls, emails and work on the documents provide written feedback, recommendations, comments on reviewed curriculum materials, Individual Development Plans in accordance with the timetable provided by the Project Management Team.

The Expert will report to the Project management unit and UNDP CO Azerbaijan. The payment will be a lump-sum payment inclusive of consultancy fee, DSAs for in-country full consultancy days, round-trip tickets and concomitant terminal expenses.

The consultant should take into consideration the DSA rates in the country based on UNDP rules (129 USD in Baku).

Interested candidates, along with their technical proposal, will have to submit their financial proposal by taking into account those expected travels, and showing in their financial proposals breakdown of financial expenses for consultancy fee.

The National Consultant has to provide:

Offeror’s letter to UNDP conforming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC), Assignment and Breakdown of Costs (in USD) Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price;
Updated CV;
3 reference letters.

NOTE: The applicants shall combine and upload all their documents as one pdf file.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good problem-solving skill required;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Ability to work efficiently in a team, and reporting;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree in Education with specialization in Inclusive Education or related field;

Experience

At least 5 years’ experience as an inclusive educational specialist in Inclusive Education and Disability related projects/ programs in developed countries; Specifically experience in inclusive vocational Arts and Crafts programs and ability to share lessons learned experience is a serious advantage for the candidate;
Knowledge and experience in the process of adjustment of developmental programs for the youth with disabilities;
Strong knowledge of best practices in the project related fields;
Knowledge and experience in provision of trainings on Inclusive Education;
Strong knowledge and experience in working with diverse teams;
Knowledge of key issues relating to Azerbaijan’s agenda of Disability and Inclusive Education.

Evaluation Criteria:

Master’s Degree in Education with specialization in Inclusive Education or related field (10 points);

At least 5 years’ experience as an inclusive educational specialist in Inclusive Education and Disability related projects/ programs in developed countries; Specifically experience in inclusive vocational Arts and Crafts programs and ability to share lessons learned experience is a serious advantage for the candidate (20 points);
Knowledge and experience in the process of adjustment of developmental programs for the youth with disabilities (10 points);
Results of skype interview (30 points).

Language

Fluency in English;
Knowledge of Russian is an advantage, but not a requirement.