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For every child, innovation.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Republic of Uzbekistan, with a population of 37.13 million as of July 1, 2024, accounts for over half of Central Asia's total population. With one-third of its population under the age of 18, Uzbekistan has significant potential to benefit from a "window of demographic opportunity" and transition into a knowledge economy, depending on the country’s ability to implement reforms aimed at enhancing human capital and upskilling its youth.

Like many middle-income countries, Uzbekistan faces challenges related to outdated infrastructure, limited connectivity, and insufficient exposure to digital solutions. Fixed broadband internet subscriptions remain were just 30 per 100 inhabitants in 2023, concentrated mostly in urban areas. Additionally, approximately 34% of computer classrooms (5,425 in total) are equipped with outdated technology that is unsuitable for implementing digital learning. A UNICEF study on digital literacy among young people (ages 10–29) highlighted disparities in digital skills based on location, gender, and household economic status. The percentage of computer-literate girls in the poorest income quintile (14.7%) is less than half that of boys in the same category (34.6%). This issue is compounded by outdated teaching methodologies. A 2023 joint review by UNESCO and the World Bank found that 87% of teachers in Uzbekistan expressed a strong demand for professional development in ICT and digital skills.

Building on the adoption of the Digital Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy in 2020, UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education in the integration of digital technology with a focus in inclusive and quality education.
Within the framework of ISHONCH 2030 Project, UNICEF has launched the field testing of portable digital devices and learning solutions in 50 model schools across the country in order to inform national transition towards digital transformation. As a result of first phase of project implementation an education technology integration framework was developed in partnership with the Government. The framework takes into consideration four different scenarios, enabling the categorization of schools based on level of digital readiness and leadership.

Supporting the development and contextualization of the Digital Readiness Framework, a national technical working group has been established with representatives from national stakeholders. This Working Group is currently overseeing the integration of digital and STEM learning at the school level and the revision of existing policies and standards to support sustainable and inclusive digital environments. Within this context, UNICEF is seeking additional expertise to support the operationalization of the developed Framework at school level, further ensuring delivery of capacity development interventions for the effective use of digital learning at classroom level.

Overall Objectives

Provide technical support in building national capacity for the school-based deployment of digital learning in Public Education in line with developed Education Technology Integration Framework, to support teaching and learning.

Scope of Work:

UNICEF’s Education section requires International consultant to provide technical support to MOPSE and UNICEF in the following:

• Provide technical support for the successful completion of the solicitation process for equipping 50 model schools with portable digital technology in line with developed standards and specifications for innovative portable digital devices.
• Building capacity of schools’ leadership teams in ICT integration planning in line with education technology integration framework.
• Support the contextualistion and adoption of standards on transparent deployment, maintenance, and security of ICT solutions/ devices and develop a framework for monitoring key ICT implementation indicators.

Duration of assignment: 15 April – 15 October, 2025

Tasks - Deliverables - Estimated timeframe:

1. Support procurement evaluation and supply quality assurance

1. Assist in the evaluation of procurement bids for ICT equipment and services, ensuring compliance with technical specifications and quality standards - Procurement evaluation report assessing vendor compliance with specifications - April/May 2025 (5 w.d.)

2. Conduct quality assurance checks on supplied ICT equipment, to confirm compliance with contract specifications. This will include running benchmarks on the computing devices delivered, verifying that they are onboarded on the management platform, ensuring school servers are adequately installed and configured, networking equipment is installed and visible in the management platform, and all other equipment complies with tender specifications. The physical checks will be conducted in 5 schools in selected regions and the management platforms will be conducted remotely. Travel to Tashkent - Quality assurance report on supplied ICT equipment, including testing and verification - July/August 2025 (10 w.d.)

2. Support the development of school ICT integration plans

3. Facilitate the development of planning resources and tools supporting the operationalization of education technology integration framework at the school level - Education technology integration plan school template aligned with the national education technology integration framework - April / May 2025 (15 w.d.)

4. Support model schools in developing education technology integration plans. Conduct workshop(s) to guide school leadership teams in ICT integration planning. Travel to Tashkent - School leadership teams are trained in education technology integration planning. 50 education technology integration plans are available for 50 model schools - May/June 2025 (10 w.d.)

3. Support development of teachers’ training plan aligned with Digital Competencies Framework

5. Analyze teacher competency gaps related to ICT in education, based on baseline assessment data - Draft teacher training plan with modules aligned with Digital competencies framework - May 2025 (5 w.d.)

Develop a structured training plan that addresses these gaps, in alignment with the national Digital Competencies framework - Finalized training plan with implementation roadmap - May 2025 (5 w.d.)

4. Support the contextualization and institutionalization of standards on transparent deployment, maintenance, and security of ICT solutions and devices

6. Support MOPSE in the establishment of updated procurement standards for ICT devices used in schools - Proposal on procurement standards for ICT devices based on project procurement experience - July 2025 (10 w.d.)

7. Identify gaps and areas for improvement in ICT maintenance and provide recommendations to enhance sustainability and efficiency Policy document for updating technical support and maintenance guidelines and practices - August 2025 (10 w.d.)

5. Quality Assurance Implementation & Monitoring KPIs

8. Develop a framework for monitoring key ICT implementation indicators included in the developed Education Technology Integration Framework - Framework for monitoring ICT implementation KPIs - June 2025 (5 w.d.)

9. Design and prototype a dashboard using data from device management and learning platforms - Dashboard prototype leveraging data from device management and learning platforms - August 2025 (15 w.d.)

10. Finalize the monitoring system and provide guidelines for its implementation - Final monitoring dashboard and operational guidelines - September 2025 (5 w.d.)

11. Final report of achieved results with recommendations and lessons learned - Final report - October 2025 (5 w.d).

TOTAL 100 w.d.

Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. 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.

International and local travels are required. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Information and communication technology or any other relevant fields 
  *For this position, a master’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace eight years of related work experience. 
• Minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in education digital transformation, school information management systems, education innovation.
• Proven experience in supporting technology integration in education and utilization of digital learning tools.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Russian) or a local language is an asset. 

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.