Republic of Tajikistan

Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project 

Consulting services

Contract No MOES/LEARN/S/2024-13

 

CHIEF EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST

 Issuance date: 06/02/2024

Closing date/time: 22/02/2024

 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has received grant funding in the amount of US$50.0 million from the World Bank for the implementation of the "Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project” (the Project, LEARN) during 2023-2029. The Project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES), and in close coordination with the Agency for Supervision in the Sphere of Education and Science (ASSES). 

The Project Development Objective is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning environments in selected general secondary schools.

“Teaching and Learning environment” in this project refers to the complete physical, social, and pedagogical context in which learning is intended to occur. The teaching and learning environment in this project is defined as consisting of the skills and competencies of teachers and physical learning spaces where learning occurs . It is school settings (not just classrooms) and contexts in which students learn and teachers teach within the school premises.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief Educational Specialist for Component 1 will manage the process of development of a new national framework for the teaching and learning environment, closely collaborate with ASSES and MoES to develop the practices and capacity for monitoring and evaluating the teaching and learning environment. Also, will organize the process of enhancing the quality of teaching in the classroom through in-service teacher, educational staff, and school leadership training and monitoring its effectiveness.

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIEF EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST FOR COMPONENT 1:

Under the supervision of the Director and Project Coordinator, the Chief Educational Specialist for Component 1 will:

a) In close collaboration with the international consultant review and evaluate the existing regulations and practices that define teaching and learning environments, equipment, and methodologies and instruments used for the accreditation, licensing and monitoring of schools;

b) Organize and coordinate the process of development, by a working group, of a new draft national framework for teaching and learning  environment, including its elements related to school building and equipment regulations, pedagogical use of the learning environments, innovative teaching and learning approaches (including digital technologies), and regulations on enforcement of the new framework through quality assurance system;

c) Together with the international consultant will take part in consultations with a range of stakeholders on the new draft framework prepared by the working group, its essential elements and regulations, and piloting of the framework during school inspections; 

d) Together with the International Consultant and Working Group finalize and adopt the new draft framework for the learning environment;

e) Provide continuous technical support to MoES and ASSES throughout the project on piloting and implementation of the national framework for teaching and learning environment;

f) Organize a comprehensive review process of roles of the institutions responsible for quality assurance of the teaching and learning environment in school and investigation of the processes, methodologies and instruments used by inspectors when accrediting, licensing, monitoring and evaluating schools (including in a context of implementation of the new framework); 

g) Collaborate with the International Consultant and Working Group organize process of development of revised inspection processes of the teaching and learning environment in schools; 

h) Arrange and participate in process of consultation with a range of stakeholders on the revised processes by the working group, and piloting of the framework during inspections of and monitoring visits to schools;

i) Support development and implementation of in-service training programs for teachers based on the new national framework, aimed at elevating the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms;

j) Contribute to and oversee the capacity-building of teachers, educational staff, and school leadership, inspectors and if needed other stakeholders on the new framework focusing on improving the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom.

k) In collaboration with the Department of Quality Education and development partners will identify or develop the training packages for teachers, which include the following: a) Diagnostics the quality of teaching through «TEACH» observation tools and School User Survey; b) Capacity-building for managers of educational systems, school directors and teachers to optimize the use of improved teaching and learning environments in line with the new national framework;

l) Ensure timely contributions to the M&E framework of the project;

m) Performing other responsibilities assigned by the head of the Project LEARN Director.

 

Other duties:

 

a) Work closely with relevant departments/institutions of MOES to ensure quality of results;

b) Participate in all meetings and activities related to the Project LEARN;

c) Support MOES in management and coordination of the technical consultant’s work hired to support Components 1;

d) Make necessary and timely suggestions for work improvements within the component and project;

e) Provide a monthly report on component 1 for the project coordinator, if necessary, provision daily updates on the progress of components 1;

f) Maintain close liaison with all key stakeholders, other project component coordinators and development partners.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

It is expected that the selected candidate will conform to the following qualifications and experience profile:

a.  Higher education in the field of pedagogy, public administration, or related field; 

b. At least 5 years of experience in managing multitasking team in the field of education;

c. At least 5 years of experience in donor-funded projects; previous experience with World Bank-funded projects, especially in education, will be an advantage;

d. Good knowledge and experience in the education system of Tajikistan, especially secondary education; 

e. Experience in developing subject standards, educational programs and other teaching and learning materials in general secondary education;

f. Good verbal and report writing skills;

g) Proficiency in Russian and Tajik languages, English will be an advantage; 

h) Experience with PC and office applications.

 

ASSIGNMENT DURATION, LOCATION AND REPORTING:

The Chief Educational Specialist for Component 1 is expected to be available from December, 2023.  This assignment is for a total of 12 (twelve) months starting from the contract signing date and renewable annually based on the consultant’s performance and business needs. 

The MOES shall provide an office space and necessary equipment to the Coordinator for Component 1 during his/her tenure of service in the MOES of Tajikistan. The Specialist is expected to work full time (office hours). 

 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION: 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 2016, revised in November 2017 and August 2018 and November 2020) - Procurement in Investment Project Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

 

Qualified applicants are requested to send the CV and cover letter in Russian and English via e-mail: procurement.learn@maorif.tj c/c director.learn@maorif.tj 

 

Please, include the position title in the subject of the email.

 

The deadline for submitting documents is 22 February 2024, before 17:00 (Dushanbe time).

 

Mr. Dilshod Safarzoda

Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Republic of Tajikistan

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nissormuhammad Ave. 13A

Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 2274502