Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Solomon Islands
Closing date:
20 Apr 2017If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Assignment
To lead the development of an appropriate pre-primary curriculum for 5 year olds using play-based strategies to achieve defined learning outcomes, develop the syllabus, teachers' guide and the supplementary learning materials for children.
Assignment Tasks
The Curriculum Adviser based at MEHRD will work in in consultation with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and the Curriculum and Teacher Training and Development Departments. Specifically, the consultant will:
1. Develop an appropriate pre-primary curriculum-syllabus (Teaching plan) with Teacher's Guide, oriented towards child-centred approach, through play based activities, encouraging holistic and active learning, with focus on cognitive and social skills, vernacular language and numeracy.
Review of government policies and findings from available curriculum/syllabi analyses and field studiesConsult and collaborate with stakeholders and 'curriculum working groups' and 'subject advisory committees' to identify the existing curriculum development procedures, teaching-learning gaps in current pre-preparatory level, and for the development and contextualization of the materials.Identify best solutions regarding use of vernacular especially in areas when one vernacular is spoken widelyInclude Curriculum Framework for the pre-primary (principles and learning outcomes for key subjects in line with NCS).Mainstreaming key crosscutting development issues.2. Develop learning materials for pre-primary education to be used in classrooms (in English), with focus on literacy-vernacular, numeracy and cognitive skills. (Printable / Non printable).
Adopt holistic development of the learners that encompasses both their cognitive and socio-emotional development approaches for 5 years old in line with NCS for pre-primary.Provide support to the special needs education officer in the development of pre-primary curriculum.3. Train 'master trainers' on the trainer's' manual to deliver in-service training of pre-primary teachers on use of the new pre-primary curriculum and design roll out plan ('In-service Professional Development Plan').
Identify potential instructors and administrators who have the potential to become master trainers to train additional staff. (Cascade model)Develop a trainers' manual (training tool kit) for Selected 'master teachers' or trainers, to provide In-service professional development program.Incorporate feedbacks and recommendation from master's trainers to the final version guideline.Expected Deliverables
Inception report detailing consultant's understanding of the assignment, including methodologyConsultation plan both at central and local level in targeted provinces for needs assessment.Consolidated consultation report (policy and professional bodies and service providers and users)Pre-primary curriculum and the accompanying by Teacher 'guide and Trainers 'manualPre-primary learning materials for childrenFinalized draft of the pre-primary curriculum and learning materialsConduct workshop to train master trainers.Final consultancy report including general guidelines for:a) The Teaching Learning Materials including additional resources.
b) Pre-primary monitoring and assessment tools for Education Authorities
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education
Advanced degree (Master Degree or equivalent) in Education in Curriculum development or a Masters in Curriculum and Educational TechnologyA relevant post-graduate qualification in literacy and multilingual approach and innovative teaching methodologies is also essential.Years of relevant experience
At least 6 years of experience in curriculum related activities, includingcurriculum framework development, and assessment and evaluation of teaching andlearning resourcesExperience in early childhood educationSubstantial experience in undertaking similar tasks in collaboration with Ministries of education and Teacher Training InstitutionsSubstantial experience of consultative processes for educational reformGood understanding of the gender transformative potential of education throughcurriculum delivery desirableKnowledge of Solomon Islands or Pacific education systems highly desirableUnderstanding of crosscutting issues: gender mainstreaming, special needs, health, WASH, HIV/AIDS, child protection and a preparedness to incorporate awareness of these policies into Program planning and support activitiesUnderstanding UNICEF mandate, development and education policies, as well as broader objectives, including Aid Effectiveness principles.Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships,Previous working experience in the Pacific will be an asset.Languages: Excellent written and spoken English required, familiarity with local language (Pidgin) an asset
Competencies of Successful Candidate
High level interpersonal and relationship-building skillsAbility to communicate effectively with persons of various cultures and disciplinesAbility to identify risks and to develop strategies to mitigate themAbility to determine and review priorities and meet deadlinesManagement & leadership skills including coaching and mentoringHigh quality computing skills.Willingness to undertake travel within Solomon Islands as requiredDiplomatic skills to liaise with counterparts and different stakeholders.Good analytical, negotiating, and advocacy skills;To view our competency framework, please click here.
Detailed copy of the Terms of Reference is attached: EXTERNAL TOR Solomon Curriculum Adviser.doc
TO APPLY: Interested applicants are to include the following documents in their submission:
A cover letter describing how you meet each of the requirements listed above (max. 2 pages)Completion of the attached Expression of Interest formSolomon Islands Curriculum Adviser 2017 EOI.doc
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=503924