UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, inclusive education!
Working closely with the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education, UNICEF is leading the development of a national roadmap and guidelines for inclusive education, closely collaborating with Development Partners and the Government of Uzbekistan. This process is informed by the modelling of inclusive preschools and schools where new standards/requirements and mechanisms for inclusive education will be tested in order to inform the review of a new legislation and standards.
In this context and within the framework of thee ISHONCH 2030 Project, UNICEF is currently supporting the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education in the modeling of new practices and assistive technology for inclusive education in fifty schools in all regions of the country. The modelling will focus on ensuring that all students including children with disabilities are supported with pedagogy that effectively uses assistive technology, devices, equipment and materials for learning in safe and accessible environment. Identified schools will be further supported to become model inclusive and digital schools, upgrading the learning experiences of universal design for learning for all students including those with disabilities, and further advancing the national digital learning agenda.
While giving schools an autonomy to develop their policies, plans and practices and find contextual solutions addressing their unique needs, guidelines and tools will be designed based on the Whole School Approach around three key indicators of equitable education systems: Access – Participation – Achievement.
Specific strategies and tools for teachers combined with intensive capacity development programs in such fields as personalization & assessment for learning, multiple means of engagement, representation, action and expression, planning authentic and challenging learning opportunities for all learners will be provided. Mechanisms and processes for providing additional personalized learning and other additional support services in inclusive settings will be developed and field-tested to boost academic achievement of children with disabilities and other vulnerabilities.
Currently, following the completion of the situation analysis of teaching and learning practices in model schools, including assessment of functional and learning needs of primary grades students, UNICEF seeks to recruit a Team Leader to develop a full action plan based on the situational analysis, deliver targeted capacity development activities, and guide the process through a whole-school approach. This will also ensure proper consultation, training, and initial monitoring activities during a six-month period.
Purpose:
The International Consultant will provide technical leadership and guidance to the national technical team for the introduction of whole-school approach in the process of modelling of school-based assistive technologies, devices and equipment for inclusive education.
Description of the Assignment and Tasks:
The assignment is expected to start by mid of May and end by mid October 2025.
The Consultant is expected to:
- Lead the development of an action plan and capacity development programme for introducing a whole-school approach in modelling inclusive education in fifty project model schools.
- Design methodological guidelines, training materials, handouts, training evaluation forms, and agenda of the training for introducing a whole-school approach in modelling inclusive education in fifty project model schools.
- Guide the monitoring and refinement of inclusive education models in 50 project schools by providing training and monitoring report with pre- and post-assessment.
- Provide technical guidance to national technical teams based on international best practices to assure quality and sustainability project results.
Management
International Consultant will work under direct supervision of Education Specialist, in consultation with national partners and government officials and in close collaboration with other international and national consultants assigned by UNICEF.
Tasks - Deliverables - Estimated timeframe - Instalment payments
1. Action plan and capacity development programme for introducing assistive technology, devices, equipment, and materials to support and accelerate inclusive education in safe and accessible schools - 100%
Home based
1) Conduct meetings and a workshop with key national stakeholders to develop an action plan for introducing a whole-school approach in the modelling of inclusive education in 50 project schools - Draft action plan - May 2025 - 10 w.d - 10%
2) Working closely with the national technical team, prepare methodological guidelines, training materials, handouts, training evaluation forms and agenda of the training on introducing a whole-school approach to support and accelerate inclusive education. Developed training materials is expected to be reviewed and scaled up as part of national TPD system - Methodological guidelines, training materials, handouts, training evaluation forms and agenda of the training - June 2025 - 15 w.d. - 20%
Including Visit to Uzbekistan (2 weeks)
3) Train the national technical team on delivery capacity development programme for schools and establishing a network of a community of practice that keeps exchanging experiences and helps to develop national standards and ensure sustainable application of assistive technology, devices, equipment, and materials to support and accelerate inclusive education - Training report - 4-15 June 2025 - 10 w.d. - 15%
Home based
4) Provide advisory support and ongoing consultation as well as guide the monitoring and refinement of inclusive education models in 50 project schools - Monitoring report with pre- and post-assessment - July – October 2025 - 30 w.d. - 30%
Second Visit to Uzbekistan (August)
5) Train master teachers on introducing a whole-school approach in the modelling of inclusive education and application of assistive technology, devices, equipment, and materials to support and accelerate inclusive education - Reviewed teacher training materials and the training package on whole school approach and assistive technology - August 2025 (TBD) - 20. w.d. - 15%
6) Submit final consultancy report summarizing activities, lessons learned, and recommendations - Final report - 15 October 2025 - 10% - 15 w.d.
TOTAL: 100 w.d. - 100%
Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 100 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.
Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree University degree in education, psychology or related field.
- At least 15 years of professional experience in education, preferably in school education, including work related experience in inclusive education, school improvement, and teacher training systems.
- At least 10 years of professional experience in transforming education system for disability and vulnerability inclusion.
- Professional experience and expert knowledge in designing curricula, teaching and learning materials, with a focus on student-centred pedagogy and UDL
- Excellent analytical and writing skills.
- Excellent written and spoken skills in English.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
