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CONSULTANCY- TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
Educational Technology Consultant – Psychosocial Support (International)
BACKGROUND
Palestine refugee children, like all children around the world, have been severely affected by the global COVID-19 Pandemic. Following the closure of UNRWA schools and educational institutions, all five Fields of operation in Gaza, West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria had to switch to alternative learning modalities to ensure quality, inclusive and equitable education in times of COVID-19. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNRWA Education Programme has expanded its use of education technology (EdTech) to support remote learning, building on its renowned Education in Emergencies (EiE) programme, which was developed in response to the Syria and Gaza conflicts.
However, a number of key Agency studies and intensive internal review and reflection following the initial COVID-19 Education response have highlighted the need to address gaps in student access to digital learning resources, as well opportunities for digitalisation to promote education quality in both times of emergency as well as times of relative stability.
To strengthen the use of EdTech as a key modality for remote learning, UNRWA is developing a Learning Management Systems (LMS), which may be used in a variety of ways, including:
· To support asynchronous and synchronous online learning and communication
· To facilitate safety and security through a student and teacher login system
· To allow teachers to track individual student engagement and progress
· To conduct online student assessments and linking their results to the UNRWA Education Management Information System (EMIS) for monitoring and evaluation
· To strengthen the psychosocial support (PSS) provided to children in remote or hybrid learning models, through interactive professional learning communities and the sharing of resources towards better addressing the needs of individual children.
To support and realise the establishment of the LMS, UNRWA has secured a generous contribution from the Open Society Foundation. In order to coordinate and guide the integration and strengthening of the PSS component highlighted above, UNRWA is looking for an Educational Technology Consultant to develop a comprehensive plan to expand and enhance PSS services through digital learning. This plan will include consideration of how EdTech—and interactive online resources in particular — can enhance PSS while ensuring student safety and confidentiality. Two key areas with particular potential here are use of an LMS to strengthen communication and collaboration between school counsellors and other staff involved in providing PSS, and dissemination of PSS support activities and other resources on the LMS platform in a way that encourages students to use them while allowing the Agency to better track student engagement with these resources.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position can be done remotely. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Education Specialist and, in her absence, the Deputy Director of Education, in close coordination with the Information Management and Technology Department (IMTD).
The PSS Consultant, in close coordination with the Digitalisation for Education Taskforce, the EdTech Taskforce, the Chief of the Teaching and Learning Division, and the Health Department, and in accordance with Agency policies and procedures, will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
· Conduct a review of existing expertise on the integration of PSS into digital learning and digital PSS resources, particularly in the regional and emergency context;
· Review the UNRWA Education PSS Conceptual Framework and any other UNRWA PSS policies/guidance to be developed, and ensure that the digital learning/PSS approaches are in alignment with these;
· Developing a strategic framework outlining Agency-wide standards and key indicators and specifying the role of interactive EdTech in enhancing PSS, with focus on collaboration and communication, as well as dissemination of information and other PSS resources;
· Drafting of an outline/manuals for capacity trainings for School Counsellors in the context of interactive digital learning and the LMS as needed;
· Create an online database of internal and external resources that School Counsellors can easily access as part of the Self Learning Platform or the Learning Management System;
· Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
· An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in Psychology, Education, or related disciplines.
· Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in PSS, particularly in the context of EiE.
· Experience in digital learning/EdTech.
· Excellent written and spoken language ability in English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
· Previous experience with UNRWA, or another UN agency.
· Familiarity with Microsoft Education.
· Knowledge of the Middle East and the Palestine Refugee context.
· Knowledge of Arabic.
COMPETENCIES
UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default.
· Excellent project management skills.
· Excellent communication and coordination skills.
· Ability to develop clear goals and identify priority activities and assignments.
· Proven ability to operate in a challenging and dynamic environment.
· Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
· Ability to identify priority activities and assignments.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with colleagues and others in a team environment.
· Proven critical thinking, creativity, drafting, and analytical skills.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
· The duration of the consultancy is approximately three months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds.
· Payment will be an agreed lump sum, released on successful completion of key deliverables.
· Remuneration for this consultancy will be based on candidates’ qualifications and experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements, two recent references pertaining to previous work experiences, and a previous writing/work sample in a similar technical area via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “**EdTech Consultant - PSS**” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 30 May 2021.
UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women. Only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.
How to apply:
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements, two recent references pertaining to previous work experiences, and a previous writing/work sample in a similar technical area via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “**EdTech Consultant - PSS**” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 30 May 2021.